Life in the Mid-1940s York City Through the Lens of Todd Webb

American photographer Todd Webb documented everyday life and landscapes in Post-War America. In 1940, he attended a ten-day workshop with Ansel Adams as his teacher and took photography seriously. Webb served as a photographer for the United States Navy during World War II.

In 1945, Webb was discharged from the military and moved to New York City to begin his career as a photographer. With his heavy camera and tripod, Webb walked the streets of New York City and photographed people and buildings he encountered. Even though these photographs were often of familiar views, their “straightforward, descriptive clarity” made them stand out and reflected Webb’s sense of discovery.

Below are some spectacular photos that show streets, landmarks, and life of New York City from 1945 to 1948.

#1 3rd Avenue from 42nd Street El Station, 1945

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#2 “Welcome Home” signs on 3rd Avenue, 1945

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#3 The Battery, 1945

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#4 125th Street, Harlem, 1946

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#5 125th Street and Broadway, Harlem, 1946

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#6 A Park Avenue storefront church in Harlem, 1946

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#7 3rd Avenue, 1946

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#8 3rd Avenue and Bowery, 1946

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#9 Maise, Queen of the Bowery, 1946

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#10 La Salle Street and Amsterdam Avenue, Harlem, 1946

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#11 Whisk broom salesman, 125th Street, Harlem, 1946

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#12 A soldier getting a shoe shine on 125th Street, 1946

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#13 Greenwich Village, 1946

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#14 Fulton Fish Market wharf, 1946

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#15 Near Fulton Fish Market, 1946

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#16 Suffolk and Hester Streets, 1946

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#17 Orchard Street, 1946

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#18 East 7th Street, 1946

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#19 Tenements and Graveyard from Chatham Square El Station, 1946

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#20 104th Street, 1946

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#21 37th Street, 1946

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#22 6th Avenue, 1946

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#23 Watching Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 1946

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#24 Mr. Perkins’ Pierce Arrow, Harlem, 1946

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#25 Amsterdam Avenue near 125th Street, 1946

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#26 Amsterdam Avenue near 125th Street, 1946

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#27 Times Square sign painter, 1946

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#28 Looking southeast from Empire State Building, 1946

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#29 3rd Avenue El looking south from Fulton Street Station, 1948

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#30 Mott Street, 1948

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#31 6th Avenue between 43rd and 44th Streets, 1948

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#32 6th Avenue between 43rd and 44th Streets, 1948

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#33 6th Avenue between 43rd and 44th Streets, 1948

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#34 6th Avenue between 43rd and 44th Streets, 1948

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