:::
I was one my way home. He passed by and turned the corner and I cursed myself for not yanking out my camera to take his picture.
I thought about it for a second and decided to go after him.
"Excuse me, sir... with the camera..."
He turned.
"Can I take your picture? You look amazing!"
"Sure" he replied "Here, take it against this wall"
He assumed an assured stance, I flipped up the flash and trusted the autofocus in the dying evening light.
We chatted a bit, i asked if I could put his picture on my website. He was a little leery at first, but I showed him my Flickr badge and asked what I should title the photo.
Hes said "Just The New york City Photographer".
Okay.
But as we talked and I gave him the web address in a scrap of paper... that's when he told me his name. And that I could post that as well.
I almost never ask to take a picture. I catch them on the fly and if I am spotted taking a shot, I smile and wave a goofy Forrest Gump wave, and generally get a wave and a smile in return.
But Willie rocks. I'm glad I asked to take his picture.
#420 10.20.06
:::
Ben McLeod, joaobambu, kurt schlosser, torbakhopper, and 13 other people added this photo to their favorites.
View 13 more comments
mfophotos 80 months ago | reply
What, New Yawkers, and you hadn't heard of the infamous Weegee? He personified the crime scene/street photographer/ papparazzi (before there was such a term) with his press cameras. Even more amazing, is to see the photos he took using infrared flash bulbs -- in theaters and on the beach. He was quite the one-man show.
:mrMark: 80 months ago | reply
great story behind this shot and I really relate to the capturing people without wanting to make a thing of it.. good on you
KaptainKaveman 80 months ago | reply
What a kawd (card)
sevennine 80 months ago | reply
the Flickr badge worked? really? it's not like it's professional looking or anything...
translucent melody 80 months ago | reply
totally his own character. =]
true2source 80 months ago | reply
Great shot. He looks like a real character, and what a camera !
midnight commander 80 months ago | reply
I've got a 6x7 Century Graphic camera that's miniature version of what he's got (a Crown Graphic, perhaps). His probably takes 4x5 photos... I agree with shveckle. I'd pay good money to see his work. You didn't happen to ask, did you?
OldhaMedia 80 months ago | reply
Ah, he didn't give me any particular info, he was a bit guarded, but I think I've seen him selling photos in the Times Square area. If I find him again, I will let everyone know! I did give him my Flickr address, maybe he'll join and stop by!
Gwyn Michael 80 months ago | reply
Amazing! that camera!
Benzadrine 79 months ago | reply
I did get a shot of that other guy! He's not the same photog - he used to hang around 6th avenue in 2003/04 and take portraits with his big ol' Speed Graphic... Never got my picture taken, but I got his...
lempkin 79 months ago | reply
Great shot, and a great story to go with it. Willie definitely sounds like a cool individual.
shveckle 79 months ago | reply
That is strange what is it about that neighb. I also met a black man with a wooden leg who takes potraits of people with a camera like that. I met him in Adorama and he showed me his portfolio, he was not either of these two guys. Is it the new trend? to walk around the city with those cameras and take portraits?
Benzadrine 79 months ago | reply
I would love to quit my day job and walk around the City, taking peoples' portraits with a Speed Graphic....
Lusername 72 months ago | reply
Cool shot of a cool guy :-)
Wonder what his pictures are like?
leafy 72 months ago | reply
... can't let this go by without mentioning Teenie "One Shot" Harris ...
www.aaregistry.com/african_american_history/2816/Charles_...
westvillagebob 67 months ago | reply
I had a short conversation with Willie about a year ago, at 14th street and Eighth Avenue. I noticed his Crown Graphic (not a Speed Graphic, BTW) and stopped to tell him the story of how I got my Crown Graphic back in the seventies from a retired photographer for the Chicago Defender named Gil Brown.
dogseat 67 months ago | reply
rich
westvillagebob 49 months ago | reply
I saw him tonight at 16th street and Eighth Avenue.
W(h)EW! (all caught up....going out to play!!) 11 months ago | reply
Willie, to me, looks old school--big 4x5 camera with one of those old-corps strobes. where are his film holders?!
OldhaMedia 11 months ago | reply
He was actually dressed like that for an audition. I don't think he really takes photos - He might have been lying to me about being a photographer, but audition studios are in the same building this was taken next to. I worked in the same building.