Weegee (1899-1968) was the quintessential hard-boiled

news photographer. From the mid 1930s to

the late 1940s in New York City, he chronicled the

shocking, dramatic and joyous moments of life and

death in the modern metropolis. Transcending the

short-lived tabloids they first appeared in, his images

received wider acclaim in such celebrated publications

as Naked City (1945) and Weegee's People (1946).

Kerry William Purcell is a freelance writer and lecturer.

He is a regular contributor to various graphic

design and photography magazines. His publications

include Alexey Brodovitch (Phaidon Press, 2002).