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

A few months ago I had the opportunity to spend a couple of hours with the legendary Martha Cooper. Here's our conversation from that day.
follow Martha Cooper on IG: / marthacoopergram
Martha's work is currently on view through Jan 6 in We Are Here: Scenes from the Streets at the International Center of Photography. Learn more at icp.org/wearehere
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#streetphotography #photography

[@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 🔥

[@Z_Victory_Z]

It's great to see Martha out on the streets and collaborating with subsequent generations, passing on the knowledge & passion! Thanks!

[@jjohnsincrowfall3984]

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

[@bngr_bngr]

It’s a tax deduction.

[@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.

[@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 ❤

[@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.

[@dcxdanny]

The thing is, less is more when out shooting in the street. You sure attract a lot of attention with all that gear!

[@Hehehehhehehehehehehehhe78]

It’s the walking

[@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

[@kwong7058]

Came in to say something similar. Hand-made bend wire camera ratings, très chic.

[@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.

[@dcxdanny]

Yes, impressive to the thieves that are out there😁

[@yoki9743]

What an absolute beautiful person Martha is calming, kind, considerate and obviously on top of her game... One thing I did notice was just how fast she walked... amazing... a TRUE LEGEND... thank you Paulie B .... Rgds... Yoki..

[@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!

[@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.

[@reinvestorintally]

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

[@jmleeinla4025]

What a wonderful, incredible woman. Thank you for sharing your walk and talk. I’m glad she’s going to have her work in the Library of Congress. It’ll be documented forever.

[@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.

[@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!

[@crazykenbei]

When the digital fullframe cameras started dropping in the 2000s, the journalists glady dropped the film cameras quicky and with ease lol.

[@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.

[@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.

[@coastalartistlivingonislan8395]

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

[@ericonly]

Martha Cooper IS hip hop. She's a GOAT for documenting it's birth. She is a national treasure.

[@mjbxxv]

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

[@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.

[@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??? 👀

[@neilm409]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@lukejean2944]

Looking at those pictures brought back so much nostalgia. (All the memories 😔)

[@awardtour93]

Her work is breathtaking. Wow.

[@markkane7185]

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

[@NightLetterLondon]

Brilliant. Love this kind of portrayal of deserving people, many of whom are not widely known. Her humility is touching. The fact that two young guys from a different generation recognised her speaks volumes..

[@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 !

[@nicedward7544]

Third time watching i guess. One of the greatest photographers ever. If she lived out in the mountains she'd still kill it. I love her attitude and passion. She's so excited to be out shooting and talking about photography. Makes me want to be her son lol.i could sit and talk with her forever.

[@Yelnats87]

What a portfolio Martha! Thanks for your time!🤙

[@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.

[@SilatShooter]

Great episode! She's a living legend, her images are wonderful time capsules. Really love how she captured children being creative!

[@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.

[@steveklamkin]

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

[@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!

[@kaydee1201]

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

[@leplasti]

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

[@nickhulston5842]

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

[@GavinEhringer]

Wow! One of my new favorites. Love her work! Legend.

[@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!

[@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 :-)

[@johnduke6438]

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

[@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.

[@ChrisBrogan]

And did you see how many bags she was lugging?

[@natasmedia]

walkin fast!

[@crazykenbei]

Yeah them old school journalists are strong. Imagine the amount of film roll she carried too.

[@FCDooner]

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

[@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.

[@robgutkowski7141]

I really enjoyed hearing this interview with someone who has had a long career as a professional photographer, and who continues to follow projects of her own choosing to keep her skills. It's also great to see an NYC photographer travelling to less often featured locations, and the "casita" and small gardens in formerly vacant lots were great cultural/neighborhood features which have stories of their own.

[@stephenhurling]

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

[@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

[@jay_hounsell]

I had Martha’s Subway Art book in the early/mid eighties. I loved it!!!! Her book bought this graphic art to us in rural England and I remember seeing the vibrant colours and ‘new’ style of typography that was quite influential in my art at the time… From a pro to now a keen street photographer myself, I was amazed to recognise a couple of the images you show and make the connection between your interview and my memories from 30+ years ago. Great to see she’s still out there and obviously doing something she loves!! I will be delving into my loft storage to see if i can find my copy!!

[@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!

[@trixorth312]

All those kids that amused themselves and had fun!! Thank u for sharing!

[@gisele6961]

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

[@ericrjennings]

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

[@ruff1draft]

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

[@user-bt4jg5lh4b]

great bit of proper street respect at the end there , Martha is a legend

[@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.

[@stevehayward1854]

Her energy is so high, I shoot Nikon D850 and I know how heavy that bag will be. Total respect

[@nickles75]

she is a living legend to me. "Subway Art" was the first book I bought from my own money in the late 80'...

[@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.

[@hyau512]

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

[@moto.los2254]

What a legend, I hope we also get to see Jamel shabazz and Joseph Rodriguez on a walkie talkie!

[@garonkiesel1646]

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

[@paulasmith4017]

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

[@misoadeio]

This old lady carries around with ease the equivalent load of a special forces soldier. Respect!

[@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.

[@HalfwayToGingerHillMedia]

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

[@meave2712]

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

[@mariovargas936]

Love her energy. With all that she carries she’ll outlive the youngsters that whine about breaking a wrist carrying a heavy camera. Very inspiring! Stay strong.

[@tomashernandez828]

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

[@esrAsnataS]

What a fascinating lady, thank you for bringing her to my attention. Her photos are amazing and I absolutely love the colours of old film cameras, especially of graffiti.

[@EMVelez]

So glad Martha Cooper is still alive and working!

[@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 🤙

[@chris_jorge]

Wow what a legend. Incredible episode. Very special

[@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!

[@georgemohring5348]

Thanks Paulie for a great year of walkie talkie.. very inspirational. Martha reminds me of running the streets of NY as a kid. Peace!

[@dkompolt1234]

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

[@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.

[@on-streetphotography366]

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

[@ryan_conover]

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

[@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!!!

[@mrdarryljones1]

When I got their book in college it was a revelation! Amazing interview! 🔥

[@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

[@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.

[@FearnLeicester]

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

[@aduke1909]

she’s so humble but she’s culture. bless her

[@Z_Victory_Z]

Awesome collaboration, Paulie!

[@MarcyTheMouse]

Martha is a G! Street play is so iconic-that photo of the kids on the fence is a huge inspo.

[@tpastro]

love her camera earring what a sweet human being

[@AlanMarcos-jn7fj]

"I take photos because it's my life." - What a great answer!

[@Angelo.Partemi]

What a legend! Amazing episode Paul!

[@tobiaswhatever7304]

Queen Martha 😍

[@michaelschmitt5413]

Awesome video interview. I loved it.

[@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.

[@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 🎯💯❤️

[@gsworld223]

Her eyes scans the surrounding while walking and talking, true legend

[@nabiln85]

One of your absolute best! Thank you both

[@maxheadroom7687]

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