Legendary Photographer Martha Cooper Revisits NYC’s Alphabet City (Walkie Talkie episode 48)

[@icplive]

Thank you both, we were so happy to be a part of this! Hope everyone is able to catch her work and other NYC/global street photo greats in We Are Here before it closes 🔥

[@jjohnsincrowfall3984]

Casually dropping how she is in the middle of archiving her photos for the Library of Congress, true GOAT

[@mateuszlitkie6134]

This is some special episode. Paulie deserves to interview some of the legends, doing walkie talkie with them is a like a gift for all the hard work. Not many of them still shoot streets. This is amazing, hall of fame walkie talkie series. I wish you, that you will have opportunity to do walkie talkie with more of the legends like Martha. This is truly amazing, couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the title ❤

[@ozymet]

I wish that all of us, when we will be in her age, would have the same health, heart and enthusiasm for photography as she has. Amen.

[@illkoncept]

This is legendary man. What a great surprise. Martha is one of my biggest inspirations when it comes to documenting graffiti. Who’s next? Bruce Gilden??? 👀

[@reinvestorintally]

This is your most special Walkie Talkie. Martha Cooper is a national treasure!

[@christinebeckett7060]

Totally inspirational...! I am 67 and I doubt I could cart all that gear around the city all day. Martha Cooper is, what? 81? What a legend!

[@Tom_YouTube_stole_my_handle]

That was my thought too. Remarkable and doubly so to have avoided damage to her back during such a long career.

[@kieulannguyen1193]

I am only 67 and no longer can carry that much camera gear and walk and walk. Truly a great photographer.

[@Caballeroshot]

Legendary to say the least! And to point out, she's out here still shooting with a D850 and 2 bags for all the newbies who just HAVE TO have a tiny camera for street photography, just go out and shoot!

[@rayzrblayd]

Haha yep so cool huh? I love how Martha moves to the beat of her own drum. She even actually uses the strap that comes with the camera!lol. Many photographers think that’s lame for some reason? Even at her age and me knowing of her work for 30 years, she is inspiring me to not care about trends or whatever. It doesn’t matter! It’s the work that does.

[@bluenick4577]

Never understood that I always use the best and biggest optics Ofc small gears don't hurt either haha

[@martintretjak1396]

A SLR is too heavy for today's young men

[@Caballeroshot]

@@martintretjak1396 Maybe its cause it doesn't match the aesthetic of the trendy canvas grocery sack they like to carry thousands of dollars of gear in 🤷🏽‍♂

[@williamlasl]

I am always baffled by the number of gear-obsessed judgmental comments on this channel.

[@philipsutton2316]

Wow - this dear, gorgeous lady. Here's me complaining that I have to lug around my Z7ii with a smaller Z lens on it (usually a 35s 1.8), and here is she (much older than me), hauling around a blinken D850 brick with that great big zoom on it. She is a real source of inspiration for all of us.

[@LuisArcadioDeJesus]

The first photography book I ever bought as a young teen back in 1983 was by her. It hooked me on both graffiti and photography at the same time and sparked my lifelong obsession with photography. Since 2006, I’ve been working on a personal project documenting street art here in Mexico City, where I currently live. I put it on pause for a while and shared almost none of it, but this year I’ve felt the urge to pick it up again. Thanks for this interview-more boomer photographers, please!

[@Wasp9513]

Bueno verte por aca Luis!

[@lelandfitz1762]

The stuff she carries around while walking and shooting is impressive.

[@SilenceSeven]

She's probably hauling around 40lbs. of extra gear in her bags. Cameras, lenses, snacks, etc.. She's not going home without the shot! 🧓📸

[@ChrisBrogan]

Right? She was like one of those sherpas on Everest who has like.. 200 lbs on her.

[@john_murch]

Best episode so far Paulie, I love legend Martha's documentary work! She is so humble and genuine. More legends please, we can learn so much from them.

[@stevevavra]

She has been shooting NYC for as long as I have been alive and I'm not young. The spring in her step and enthusiasm and moments of contemplation as she sees something that interests her. So humbling and inspiring. I think people who are against shooting photos of kids should look at her portfolio. So pure and innocent, what life was like when the world wasn't so offended by everything. Great as always Paulie.

[@djtoman6875]

Perfect comment. She’s a true gem.

[@mjbxxv]

THIS is where it’s at bro. Walkie talkie with the greats. Please keep em coming! Which goat is next?! LFG! 💪🏽

[@bllstrt6]

Her earrings are literal cameras. This lady is the definition of a GOAT.

[@mateuszlitkie6134]

She also had them on in everybody street couple years ago

[@pineear]

@@mateuszlitkie6134 almost 12 years ago now!

[@georgiosk9698]

And has a collection of toy cameras iirc !

[@apontutul]

How did you notice that

[@kfleunghk7365]

不單止係攝影大師，懂得用智慧生活的寫照👍值得敬佩學習

[@neeravnaik]

Something about this made me very emotional. I felt that pause before she answered that last question! As a middle aged guy starting photography since last 10 years and getting into it more and more now i feel it is going to be a big part of the rest of my life. She is a model for how that can be and with such vitality! Just hearing somebody talking about photographing in the 70s sounds so fascinating.

[@Lucas.music.mp3]

saw this last night and can't stop thinking about it. Cooper has the purpose, passion, and focus of a documentarian but the eye of an artist. im brand new to the photography world but im already tired of the flat, suspicious glances captured by street photographers who pretend they're ghosts. this interview and Cooper's work itself is a testament to the idea that getting to know a really specific group of people you're photographing doesn't hurt your ability to capture candid moments, but actually ALLOWS you to overcome the anxiety of being seen through a camera lens. Cooper sets a high standard for the work and consistency it takes to actually show someone that you're on their side, that you're not just in their life to take, take, take. Thanks so much for posting.

[@MrBlistertips]

Such an enormous influence on so many. Back in 1986 I used to carry around Subway Art like it was a Bible. We were a bunch of kids in Sydney Australia and we knew every writer and every iconic piece in those pages. Today, as a 50+ year old, I have a Seen original hanging on the wall of my office. A lifelong passion for street art ignited by Martha and Henry. Respect and thanks 🙏🏼

[@Mowikan]

One of best episodes this year.

[@Yelnats87]

What a portfolio Martha! Thanks for your time!🤙

[@Geriatriclensman]

Incredible interview. An extraordinary photographer. I'm embarrassed to say I was unaware of her. She captured true art and self expression and a snapshot of history. What you do on this channel is a true service. Thanks Paulie. I'm glad its getting into the Library of Congress.

[@awardtour93]

Her work is breathtaking. Wow.

[@steveklamkin]

What a remarkable woman! Martha is a real window into the institutional memory of photojournalism. A great interview, Paulie, thanks!

[@iguanasseebetter4824]

Amazing. A legend of the urban street photography community. Please, please watch her film A Picture Story, a fantastic watch. Well done to Paulie for arranging this.

[@wilfredobenitez7275]

Great documentary photography. “Loisaida” is Puerto Rican slang for “Lower East Side” where I lived and photographed during the 80’s - before gentrification turned the area into Alphabet City. Cooper’s photographs took me back. Great video.

[@coastalartistlivingonislan8395]

Living legend. I remember her work from back in the day. Paved the way for women photojournalists back in the day.

[@hyau512]

Some amazing street scenes. No surprise something like the Library of Congress will want to include her work.

[@facelessnameless4040]

I've been dreaming of an episode with her since I discovered your channel. I can't wait to watch it this weekend. Merci Paulie !

[@philski]

I’ve been following Martha’s work since the late 90s and finally had the chance to bump into her in the summer of 2014/2015. Great work! I love these episodes.

[@neilm409]

The pure joy you can see in her eyes when she’s taking photos just warms my heart

[@Tardsmat]

We had a lot of young people so it's cool to see an older and more experienced photographer on here too. I think it's a bit funny to see her use modern digital cameras while all the young people shoot film

[@williamhouse23]

And busting out her phone with no shame!

[@markkane7185]

What gem. A true photographer with much evidence.There is a history lesson here.Thank you Martha!😊

[@clebb534]

Probably my favourite and one of the most insightful episodes yet. Always love a new walkie talkie but having someone with such experience and knowledge of not only the craft but how to make it your life is so helpful for younger photographers such as myself trying to work out how to do this full time!

[@J05hyboi]

I love her so much! I just did a school project in her and tried my best to take pictures like she did! Thanks for this!

[@j.pocket]

Martha, I Love You. You epitomize everything that made me want to become a photographer. It's so great to see your memory and your curiosity are as sharp as ever.

[@fun-isu]

She is a Jewel, thank you Martha for all the great vibes and continued inspiration. It was so fun to role with you in Johannesburg on your first trip out here. You left a mark :-)

[@on-streetphotography366]

Such a great woman and pictures. Thx for the video!

[@tomashernandez828]

WHAT A TRESURE!!! thank you for making and sharing!

[@SuperStarRendon]

Love her work. She captured what we grew up with back in the days. Those empty lots were our playgrounds along with the burned out buildings. Those small houses we built, we picked up material from local warehouse or house hold furniture trash. I remember scouring for pallets so we could make the walls to our small house. We used cardboard as sheeting. Old doors and so on. Funny thing is, we used to see a few photographers taking photos back then, but we never got to see the photos. 12:44 St. Ann's facing Westchester Ave in The Bronx. She photographed a few photos from that area. Good Times!

[@ericrjennings]

Wow. This is awesome. A woman of her age carrying that much gear… incredible.

[@smalltalk.productions9977]

Photographers like Martha Cooper are inspirational. Her work speaks of her effort, her talent and offers a two dimensional look at a given time and place. My father ran a grocery store on E14th/Ave A and I can attest to the bleakness of the area and the times. Yet, magically, folks find a way to endure and create life. Her pix of the children finding a way to play is truly insightful and important. Thank you Paulie for the effort and sharing. I am an appreciative subscriber. Thank you Martha for you being you.

[@FCDooner]

Martha is the best and a LEGEND!! Thanks for sharing her story. Awesome!!

[@HalfwayToGingerHillMedia]

I love this, it’s so informative & inspirational. The best one I’ve seen in the series. Keep up the good work

[@johnduke6438]

Amazing! Martha is such an inspiration. An honour for you to have her on but totally deserved, congratulations Paulie.

[@nickhulston5842]

What a woman, legend, her books inspired so many people around the world. Great to see her still working and still enthusiastic.

[@dkompolt1234]

Amazing you got Martha Cooper on for the show. Thanks for your work on this series :-)

[@jaymacphoto78]

Love videos like this highlighting people in photography I would love to know about but might have never heard of. As someone who frequents the city often, this is inspiring!

[@chris_jorge]

Wow what a legend. Incredible episode. Very special

[@stephenhurling]

Loved this - her energy to get the shot, her love for the city. She's excellent company. Thank you both for sharing.

[@ryan_conover]

This one was extra special. How I missed that she was on IG is beyond me but thanks for this one.

[@Celephais471]

Really fantastic video Paulie, hearing Martha talk about her different projects and what did and didn't work over the years was a real treat. Thank you both!

[@ruff1draft]

I am pleased you have interviewed this lady. Keep up the great work both of you.

[@mixtape5143]

What an incredible photographer and intriguing human! Also, I don’t think I can ever complain about how much gear I carry again.. You keep outdoing yourself Paulie, brilliant video! Cheers 🤙

[@kaydee1201]

She’s truly legend.salute to ms Cooper and thank you Paulie!

[@Ali-sj5pn]

Congrats Paulie you are killing it 🔥

[@johnyoung1606]

@Ali-sj5pn Hello My Friend "your" (use the dictionary!!!!) You Meant "You Are".... Sorry I have been an educator and photographer all of My life :) :) :)

[@icehouseimages8687]

Great episode Pauline. Keep em coming 👊🏽

[@Angelo.Partemi]

What a legend! Amazing episode Paul!

[@FearnLeicester]

Sooo good! Martha is amazing. Thanks for this one Paulie. 👏👏👏

[@yoshawnsmith3573]

Martha's work is always great to see.

[@tobiaswhatever7304]

Queen Martha 😍

[@rakeshravindran3147]

A photographer… Nikon camera with Canon bags and some bookbag like backpack. I call her “a photographer” b/c people like her doesn’t see the camera and tools anymore, just the image they make. Thank you for uploading these types of videos.

[@DavidBirchphoto1.]

Thank you for uploading this, not the typical walkie talkie.

[@paulasmith4017]

Bravo!!! This has got to be one of my fav Walkie Talkie's - one to watch again and again. Congrats. 👏👏👏

[@gisele6961]

Marty is a legend and it's good to see another woman get the recognition she deserves.

[@TheFribos]

Wow, a legend she is! Great video Paulie!!

[@werunthecities]

This was amazing! Good job Paulie🙏🏻📸

[@jgoodell77]

Thank you Paulie for this series, this interview is a treasure, and the work you are doing here is going to prove to be an important record of art and culture for photography and beyond.

[@garonkiesel1646]

What an inspiration. It's refreshing to see someone so genuine. Doing it for the love of photography.

[@jackdarren9210]

The best walk so far.

[@Ronsclassicphotography]

This was a real Joy to watch . I love all your videos but , episodes like these really Hit different 🎯💯❤️

[@smthaboutgrassy7684]

my jaw dropped when i saw martha cooper on the preview. the goat

[@kieulannguyen1193]

Great video clip. Thank you for introducing Martha Cooper to us. ❤❤❤ Love her work

[@romulocuy4061]

Thank you so much for a great interview and video!

[@christopherbittles2570]

love these, would be cool to hear what gear they used throughout the decades, favorite equipment, development process, switching from film to digital etc!!

[@JTeeezy707]

Thank you Paulie and Martha for this wonderful episode of Walkie Talkie. This is by far my favorite episode as I also have an affinity for street art and graffiti. I love the work that Martha has done and hopefully someday we can see her work from the Philippines as I'm also Filipino American and I would love to see the photos she took there someday. Thank you to both of you GOATS!!!

[@evanfairbanks2629]

Another great show with a NYC street photography legend! Her work after 9/11 is another huge component of her work and inspired me tremendously when I was doing the same at that time. Thanks for opening and sharing a fascinating window into her world and work.

[@owenwilliams9582]

Lovely documentary on Martha Cooper, a true reflection of a time gone by, such a wonderful archive of NY street, always a please to see the past through the medium of photos. Many thanks Paulie from Anglesey for this doc. really enjoyed it cheers.

[@ianwalsh3001]

Such a great video Paul. Legendary interview!

Martha is great! Love that she is still super active at her age!

[@MichaelGlennglennimages]

A true legend. What a treat. Thank you.

[@rf.photographs]

DOPE!! One of my homies back in the day was HEAVY into graff in the 90s (👴🏾) and had Martha's "Subway Art" book. Dope to see her on Talkie to to see who published the book after 30+ years.

[@meave2712]

You can tell she’s a New Yorker by the speed of her walk 😊

[@mightymoss]

Excellent episode, Martha's a legend!

[@julesdownunderjulesdownund7722]

Did a trip to NY some years back and spent days walking Brooklyn, Queen's and Manhattan looking for some of the iconic locations of some of the Legends. Manhattan had a project of Martha's work on display at the locations from that book. Highlight of the whole trip. Martha is a legend

[@nilsmichaelbecker]

Another great documentary, thank you.

[@leplasti]

What a legend! She signed my copy of Hip Hop Files when she came to Barcelona to present the book 20 years ago.

[@SAINTPONTIUS]

Another banger as usual

[@simpleone973]

Best video I've seen! A street legend!

[@pk_fauxtaux]

Best series on youtube

[@rafaelnieves978]

❤ Thanks for the memories.

[@jeffreybarruga257]

Hell Yeah Paulie!!! She's a Legend!!!!

[@elyssarenae]

absolutely loved this episode!!

[@maxheadroom7687]

Simply Brilliant Paulie!! What a talented treasure Martha is.

[@claireowo]

wish we had some of the photos she was taking in the moment the way we do in the usual walkie talkie. Still an outstanding episode- Loved it Paulie!

[@Xlornick]

Wow! Fantastic episode. Martha is a hero! Nicely done. Love seeing the past and present of this part of the city.

[@anils.rkumar6551]

Thank you for the Video. Another great person and glad to know about her and her works.

[@awardtour93]

3min in and I love this already

[@croyale6688]

Inspirational documentary. Thanks for putting it together and sharing.

[@jdslens]

When I lived in Hawai’i she would come annually for Pow Wow. I saw her last year walking around my little town of Mo’ili’ili with her camera setup on I said hi nodded and she kept on her way. Unbothered by the chaos. Straight legend.