If you’ve already seen Taxi Driver, I assume you are familiar with its raw and intense portrayal of New York City in 1976. For those who still haven’t, Martin Scorsese’s psychological thriller follows the story of Travis Bickle, a troubled Vietnam veteran who wanders through the city working as a taxi driver. The film displays a dark picture of decaying society where pimps, hustlers, drug dealers and other lost souls drift through the night, all observed by Travis’s eyes.

Similarly, photographer Matt Weber spent most of his early life driving through the city, capturing some of his best work during the early 80s . Weber’s photography and Taxi Driver share the same vision of urban alienation, crime, loneliness and also expose the harsh reality of life in New York during that time.

"*I drove around at night in my cab when the city was just like Scorcese showed us in Taxi Driver”.* *- Weber in his own words.*

New York faced significant economic challenges in 1975. The city was on the brink of bankruptcy, burdened by debt and unable to meet its financial obligations leading to severe budget cuts. The Bronx was burning night and day, racial tensions ran high, the Son of Sam was on the loose, and the heroin epidemic was spreading rapidly, further fuelling crime and addiction.

Matt Weber’s photography is mainly black-and-white, with high contrast and smart usege of light. The absence of colour enhances our senses, and directs our focus to the textures, shapes and shadows. Weber knew how to use light to his advantage, emphasising the extremes between dark and light, further highlighting the tension and chaos of everyday life in the big city. On the other hand, Michael Chapman - the main cinematographer of ‘Taxi Driver’ relied on deep shadows, high contrast, overexposed highlights and noir-inspired lighting, aiming to intensify Travis Bickle’s isolation and psychological descent to violence.

Both Scorsese and Weber managed to effortlessly expose the underbelly of NYC, where glamour is overshadowed by the cruel reality of everyday life. Locations such as Times Square as well as dim-lit alleys of the South Bronx have been showcased by both. While Scorsese relied on motion picture, Weber’s photographs leave more questions than answers, compelling the viewer to wonder about the story that might unfold beyond the frame.

Weber’s work quite often portray the isolation and loneliness New Yorkers . His subjects tend to appear detached and mysterious. Understanding the state of the city back in these days, it’s inevitable to acknowledge the societal struggle Weber was displaying through his lens. Similarly, this sense of loneliness mirrors the character of Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver. Despite being surrounded by people, he feels completely alone and emotionally detached.

Both artists explore deeply themes of alienation, where the density of New York creates a paradox. A paradox where thousands are physically close to each other, however, still experience painful solitude.

More photos from Weber

photographing old & gritty nyc. Parallels Between Matt Weber’s Photography & Scorcese’s ‘Taxi Driver’.

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