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The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © Sarah Potter
CLICK THE FROG!
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
AKA WEEGEE
Adolescent Arthur Fellig rented a pony and took pictures of neighborhood kids with his secondhand View Camera.
“I wipe their faces and give ‘em a ride.” He winked. “Then sell their folks the photos.”
Years later, armed with a police-band radio, Speed Graphic camera and a makeshift darkroom in his trunk, he lurked in the shadows of New York. His black and whites captured the city’s seamier side like no others.
“You’re always on time.” Amazed reporters shook their heads. “You must have a Ouija board or something. What’s your secret?”
“Ain’t no secret.” Weegee shrugged. “F/8 and be there.”
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Nah, he had a weegee.
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Another well-written story based on a true person, Rochelle. He was a true entrepreneur. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Susan,
The black and white photo led me to google photographers. When I found WeeGee I was there. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another entertaining historical flash. Where there’s a will there’s a way, and where there’s a police band radio there’s a scoop to be had. Nicely done.
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Dear Sandra,
He was an opportunist for sure. I wonder how many kids would be as resourceful these days? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow! Interesting stuff Rochelle
F/8? is that fate?
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Dear Shrawley,
I always enjoy “wow” in comments on my stories. Thank you. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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There is so something magical about black and white. What a legacy…
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Dear Tanille,
Some pretty amazing photography there. Thank you for swinging by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I hadn’t heard the name, but I bet I’ve seen the photographs. The best thing is this documenter of classic NY life was an Austro-Hungarian – a nation built by welcoming immigrants. Fascinating.
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Dear Iain,
I’d never heard of him either until I googled photographers to go with the black and white photo. Fascinating. What would the US be without immigrants? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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From ponies to bodies, I guess it didn’t take a Ouija board to guess his career path once he got hooked. Another great story.
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Dear Trent,
He knew what he wanted at went for it. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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When you love what you do, it shows!
Inspiring story & quote.
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Thank you, Anita.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another great tale, of history and art. ☺️ Well done, Rochelle
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Thank you so much, Priya. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Interesting story. I love how it connected to the picture in my mind, because my first thought was – creepy stalker or shadow of a post? Thanks for another interesting history lesson too!
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Dear Anne,
Now you know how my mind works. 😉 I looked at black and white and then googled black and white photography. Then famous photographers. Voila! WeeGee! Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a great picture of your dad at aged six
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Glad you liked the picture, Michael. It’s one of my favorites. Hope you liked my story, too. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love the photo of your dad. I think I can see him in you :). Fun story, never heard of this guy before.
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Dear Linda,
My boys all looked like Dad in one way or another. I definitely favor that side of the family. When my eldest was little I was showing a friend a picture of me as a little girl and my friend asked why I put my son in a dress. LOL. Wisoff Genes are on the deeper side of the pool.
Glad you enjoyed the story, too. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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An excellent discovery on your part Rochelle! He has to be admired.
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Dear Keith,
He was someone to be admired. I listened to a recording of him explaining his work, etc. He was pretty rough around the edges. 😉 Thank you re my discovery.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
As he brought to life people’s lives with his camera, you do with your words. What an interesting fellow!
Shalom and lotsa more discovery love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
Aw you made me blush. He really was an interesting person. Not the kind you’d invite to a formal dinner party, but wouldn’t ya love to talk photography with him? Thank you, my friend. 😀
Shalom and lotsa hugs on the right setting,
Rochelle
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I tells it likes it is. And oh boy would I ever.
With today’s camera phones, anyone can be a photographer. Every time Susannah says I should have a show, I think, darlin’, there’s nothing in mine that many haven’t already done and are doing…
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One of these days you might hit on something, though. You do a great job with what you do do. (Wisoff grin)
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Ain’t you sweet? Who knows…
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Timing is everything. It obviously worked for him. This Historical fiction isn’t so much fiction. Thanks for the education. Nice story.
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Dear A-Nonni-Mouse,
I have it on good authority that I’m married to you. Yes, timing, determination and chutzpah! That was WeeGee. 😉 Thank you, m’luv
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You’ve done it again, written another mini-biography that has me reading a whole Wikipedia page and, in this case, digging deeper to see some of his photographs. Well done as always, Rochelle.
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Dear Nobbin,
Knowing my story caused you to dig deeper makes me smile with satisfaction. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Interesting story about an interesting character.
(I paused for a second while I was reading it because giving someone a ‘ride’ is Irish slang for sex!)
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Dear Susan,
Oh dear. There are some slang terminologies across the ponds that don’t translate the same on either shore, aren’t there? You gave me a giggle. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I hadn’t heard the name. Then your story, and a quicj wikipedia search did it for me. What a resopurceful man___an opportunist to the core, in a good way of course. What an excellent historical flash is this, Rochelle!,;
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Dear Neel,
I’m so pleased you took the time to dig a little deeper. Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Andrea Warthog W(T)F,
Harvey Wingnut is no Arthur Fellig, but at least he caught a couple images of that sneaky mime. She’s more elusive that a orange garter snake in a bowl of spaghetti. Let’s just hope Lowry and Blockson are able to cage her before strikes again.
Happy coloring,
Harvey (Loose) Wingnut
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Dear Harvey (Ever-Loosening) Wingnut,
Detective Lowry and that ski-nosed Blockson labor in vain against the cagey mime. Good luck with your photographic endeavors, although I’m not sure your Polaroid Land Camera will do you much good. Perhaps Liza Jane can sniff the mime out…or not. Dog treats in her pockets will win the pooch over every time. 😉
My purple crayon salutes you,
Andrea Warthog W(T)F
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Like most, I had never heard of Mr Fellig or f/8.
But Weegee is what other Scots call people from Glasgow (Glaswegians).
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Dear CE,
Happy to introduce you to a new person and a new term. Thank you for introducing me to one as well.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good for him. I’ve never heard of him
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Now you have, Larry.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ha ha, the first to use a police scanner hey? Great story Rochelle. By the way, I don’t know where to get the code for for the frog to put on my site, could you tell me please?
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Dear JWD,
I don’t know if his was the first use of the police scanner, but his certainly could be called the most resourceful, I think. Thank you.
As for the code, the best way I know to tell you is to go to the top of the Linkups page where you’ll see the URL. Simply copy and paste it into your page. I hope that makes sense.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s what I did in the end, whatever happened to the little blue frog?
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I could send a copy of him…or most of us are using any old frog picture. 😉 Then click on the picture so there’s a frame around it. Then click the link tool so there’s a box. Copy and paste the Linkup URL and the return square. That should do it.
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Wow, tech support as well! What would do without you? 😉
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😀 I do my best.
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Dear Rochelle,
What a way to begin a career as a crime photographer! I love your ability to show how driven such individuals are to achieve their ambitions, no matter how small their beginnings. Wonderful story.
Shalom,
Dora
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Dear Dora,
I’ll admit that finding the small beginnings of famous people is one of my favorite things. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Shey and I do a lot of photography, though it’s mostly Shey. We’ve learned a lot during hours long hikes capturing the thrill of nature. Photography is not a simple matter of pointing and shooting. It’s capturing the essence of a scene, and that is not easy at all. Thanks for another great slice of life piece. 🙂
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Dear Eric,
Good photography is an art. You’re right it’s not a matter of point and shoot. A good eye for composition is essential IMHO. Thank you re my story. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well captured! Thank you for adding to my historical trivia! Being a New Yorker, I’m even more interested and feel personally enriched. 🙂
xx
Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
Although it wasn’t essential to this particular story, Weegee was the son of Jewish immigrants. Always happy to toss around the trivia. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks! We’re richer for it, you know!
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I Like the way you found enough words to cover both the adolescent venture and the adult career. I wholeheartedly approve of WeeGee’s take on empathy as the key to a great photograph. It works for writing, too, as you show us most every week.
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Dear Penny,
As you can see, I’m tardy with replies this week. At any rate, I’m glad you enjoyed my story. Thank you so much for your affirming comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oo – ho! When I first saw the title, I thought for sure this was gonna be a ghost story… one with wee gee che’s (witches, I don’t know the spelling…phonetically, then). It matches the photo. Ahhh, but that tale is well beyond a mere 100. I almost wish I’d had a camera back in my volunteer first responder days. I often wonder what those images could have said that wasn’t said…ya know. What could have happened had I been able to combine my writing with photoging…. ah, such is hindsight.
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Dear Bear,
They say hindsight is always 20/20. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That, they do. We’re shut down here. on phone. hard to do anything but respond to comments. thanks!
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I have never heard that story before. Thank you for sharing it!
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My pleasure, Christine. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So glad his work has been given to a place that will protect them. Sounds like photojournalism at its best.
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Dear Lisa,
He was most definitely unconventional. An artist in his own right. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, indeed. You are very welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Where do you learn about all these people, Rochelle? What a great piece about a very dynamic character. You keep me learning every week.
-David
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Dear David,
There is a method to my madness. It’s not like I have a wealth of knowledge. Google is my friend. For example: For this photo I started with black and white photography. History of photography didn’t do anything for me so I went to famous photographers and up popped this pop-eyed cigar smoking fella with the camera and I knew WeeGee was the story to go with. I’m happy to share the learning. 😉 Thank you, my friend.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Still, you do find the most interested stories, so that speaks to your research and imagination. I’ll always be a big fan.
-David
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Very clever, using a police scanner to get the best shots! Sounds like quite a risky career, though I guess if you want the best photos…
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Dear Ali,
He was definitely a risk taker and dedicated to his art. Thank you for swinging by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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i love black and white that allows you to color it with your imagination.
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I agree, Plaridel. Black and white is usually more dramatic than color.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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When I think about his makeshift darkroom in his trunk, I can feel his passion and drive in that one decision.
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Dear Fatima,
You could definitely say he was driven. 😉 Thank you for reading.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Think I’d have stuck to the children’s photos and a good night’s sleep. Have seen the sort of photos he took and wondered why they were available and not hidden in police archives – i guess you just get there first and the subject is beyond complaining. An odd career choice.
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Dear Miranda,
I can live without seeing photos of slain, bleeding people myself. He certainly forged a worthy career and made a name for himself. Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another fascinating character and entertaining story, Rochelle. I admire his creative spirit and pursuit of his dreams. I look forward to your stories each week!
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Many thanks, Brenda. Your affirming comments make me smile.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Even stars have to start small.
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True story, Liz. No one starts at the top.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s a lovely story about a very real person Rochelle. I also like Weegee’s quote after the story. He obviously knew where he was needed, he felt it.
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Dear Shelley,
WeeGee definitely knew what he wanted, needed and what it took to take him there. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another great story, Rochelle.
Shalom,
Adele
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Thank you so much, Adele.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re welcome, Rochelle 🙂
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I had never heard of him before. Sounds like he had a good eye and good instincts!
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Dear Mags,
I found him via Google when looking for black and white photographers for this prompt. 😉 He was irresistible. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re welcome.
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I simply love this, Rochelle!
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Thank you, Laurie. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Resourceful man, looks like he started a whole new line of work. Nice one.
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Dear Subroto,
Resourceful indeed. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’ve come through again, Rochelle. Another piece of history I hadn’t an inkling about
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Dear Michael,
I learn so much from just surfing the internet. 😉 I’m happy to share. Thank you for the kind affirmation.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Amazing story, Rochelle. I now have admiration for a man I didn’t know existed. 🙂
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Dear Sascha,
Your comment has me smiling. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🙂
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