Photo Life | Hidemi Iizuka Photo Collection | Weegee 'NAKED CITY'

Hidemi Iizuka's Photo Book Collection

Vol. 1: Weegee's 'NAKED CITY'

The photo book 'NAKED CITY' was published in 1945. About ten years ago, I stumbled upon it in a used bookstore in New York. I had been wanting it for a while, so I bought it without hesitation and still cherish it as one of my treasures. Unfortunately, the original cover is damaged, but it's in very good condition for a photo book from over 60 years ago. While Weegee, the American photographer, has several photo books, this 'NAKED CITY' published in '45 is undoubtedly his most representative work.

Text by Hidemi Iizuka

Weegee

Born Arthur Fellig, he was a leading photographer of New York in the 1930s and 40s, influencing photographers not only in America but around the world. Born in 1899 in what is now Ukraine, he immigrated to the United States with his family in 1909. Living behind the New York City Police Headquarters, he was permitted to use police radios, allowing him to excel as a news photographer capturing fires, traffic accidents, and murder scenes. His 'Naked Hollywood' series, documenting American celebrities, is also one of his famous works. He passed away in 1968 due to illness.

In this photo book, Weegee says the following:

"I visited many scenes to take photographs.
Sometimes, drawn by an inexplicable, mysterious force, I turned my camera towards the uninhibited, naked faces of New Yorkers, sharing their laughter and tears as I captured what I saw and felt.
The East Side, Harlem, Park Avenue – all subjects are real. Most people don't even realize they are being photographed."

"For me, a photograph is a page of life.
If that is the case, then a photograph must be 'reality.'"

Weegee 1945

Photography, in essence, is a record – capturing what the human eye sees and feels and rendering it in a two-dimensional world using a camera. Some may not consider certain photographs as records, depending on their content, purpose, or method of capture. However, regardless of the photographer's differing thoughts or philosophies, the statement that 'a photograph is reality,' as Weegee asserts, is undeniable. This is because 'truth' and 'fact' coexist within a photograph. By viewing these photographs from the past, people can feel moved, surprised, experience joy or sorrow, and sometimes, a simple 'record photograph' can bring happiness.

I learned a great deal from this photo book.

Hidemi Iizuka
Born in 1967. Moved to France in '88. Established the production company B.R. in '96, producing and art directing for creators active in Europe. Founded TRACK associate in 2000 and launched the photo magazine 'TRACK.' While handling the planning, editing, and production of fashion catalogs, he also opened a digital lab. In '04, he opened the photo gallery T.A.F (Track Artwork Factory), holding four solo exhibitions annually, primarily featuring European and American photographers. He is currently active in discovering photographers in Paris, London, and New York, while also dedicating himself to the education and development of young photographers through collaborations with photography schools in various cities.
www.trackartworkfactory.com

Track Artwork Factory is available on the web shopping magazine 'rumors.'