Response to Weegee's "Tophat, Outside the Metropolitan"

At first sight, I found this to be a very compelling image. It’s very simple, yet it engages the audience right away. It makes me want to know more about these men. Where are they going? What is the occasion that are they dressed so formally for?  Why are they dressed identically?  The photograph’s title serves as a partial answer to these questions; we learn that the men are outside of the Metropolitan. The black and white colors make the image that much more formal because they contrast with each other. Weegee’s photography style is distinctive. He was the paparazzi of his time; he documented countless social aspects and events in a way that hadn’t been done before. This photo contributed to his theme because of its raw imagery of the unsuspecting men.  

It’s balanced almost entirely, because the four men in the photograph comprise the whole composition. The photograph is arranged logically, and Weegee didn’t even plan it purposefully. He took this photo candidly from behind the subjects without placing them there.  I can visualize the texture of the cloth of the men’s jackets and the silkiness of the hats. The simplicity of this photo makes it that much more interesting. It’s not an unusual subject, but the way it’s portrayed makes it appealing.