Weegee

''Weegee the famous,'' as he liked to be called, was a major influence in the field of newspaper photography. Persistent and aggressive behind the camera, he always made sure that he was at the forefront of breaking news. As a photographer he went to the heart of ugly situations to illustrate the often gruesome realities of life in the city.

Weegee's images scream at their audience. An assault to the eyes was created through his use of the flash's severe light; the harsh contrasts and deep shadows that resulted gave his images an extra jolt. Concerned more with the impact of his images than with the artistry, Weegee favored a tone of sarcasm and irony with a touch of compassion in his work.

This volume in the Masters of Photography series includes forty-one of Weegee's most powerful photographs that have an unsettling beauty, as well as the permanent power of unique images that, once seen, are never erased.

The Aperture Masters of Photography series is devoted to those individuals whose achievements have accorded them vital importance in the history of the art form. Each volume presents a selection of the artist's greatest images. Published in Aperture's standard of excellence, the Masters of Photography series provides a comprehensive library of the artists who have shaped the medium.