Ryan Weideman: He invented Selfies

Self-Portrait with Passenger Allen Ginsberg, 1990. (Copyright Ryan Weideman, Courtesy Bruce Silverstein Gallery, New York)

Street photographer Ryan Weideman spent decades as a part-time New York City cab driver, where his taxi became his photography studio.

Self-Portrait with Transvestite, 1997. (Copyright Ryan Weideman, Courtesy Bruce Silverstein Gallery, New York)

HE INVENTED 'SELFIE'. 

20 YEARS BEFORE THE KARDASHIANS

Selfie with passengers. New York. 1986. (Copyright Ryan Weideman, Courtesy Bruce Silverstein Gallery, New York)

Ruby Duby Do, 1982. (Copyright Ryan Weideman, Courtesy Bruce Silverstein Gallery, New York)

Beauty Aloof, 1982. (Copyright Ryan Weideman, Courtesy Bruce Silverstein Gallery, New York)

You Put Me on Ecstasy When You Ride Next to Me, 1982.
(Copyright Ryan Weideman, Courtesy Bruce Silverstein Gallery, New York)

After the first week of driving a taxi I could see the photographic potential,” shared Weideman.

Passengers. New York. 1984. (Copyright Ryan Weideman, Courtesy Bruce Silverstein Gallery, New York)

 ARTISTIC JOURNEY OF THE INCREDIBLE
RYAN WIEDEMAN.

 I was doing some research on history of photography when I stumbled upon Ryan Wiedeman's story. An incredibly talent man who set himself apart by his ingenuity - discover his collection 'in my taxi'.

In 1980, Ryan Weideman cruised into New York City to become a street photographer. Having graduated with an MFA from the California College of Arts & Crafts, Weideman already had a style greatly influenced by the other photographers of the period including Lee Friedlander and Mark Cohen.

a chance encounter with a neighbor who drove a taxi led Weideman to his newfound profession.

Initially he would take photo of the passengers, he later decided to be in the photo himself. Effectively snapping what we know today as the 'Selfie'. 

Ryan I am Fan. 

Artists In Residence Television covered the exhibition "In My Taxi" by the American photographer Ryan Weideman, invited to exhibit three decades of pictures of the backseat of his taxi in New York City. This amazing show is held in the residence of artists ESPRONCEDA, Center for Art and Culture, in collaboration with the Bruce Silverstein gallery of New York whom represents the artist. Ryan Weideman - "In My Taxi" from 1st to 17th of June, 2017. ESPRONCEDA, Center for Art and Culture Carrer d'Espronceda, 326, Nave 4-5, 08027, Barcelona (Spain).

Sources:

photos:  Ryan Weideman, Courtesy Bruce Silverstein Gallery, New York.

http://www.brucesilverstein.com/artists/ryan-weideman
https://video.vice.com/en_us/video/the-new-york-taxi-driver-photographing-his-passengers/599dfbb2d63b864f3d875783