Strange Leica guerilla-style photographer on 5th Ave. NYC

I think he is honest and brilliant.

What is creepy.... is lurking around taking street photos of people aware. You know, with black-taped Leicas.

It looks like he started to use something like a Pocket Wizard to fire his flashes but in the day you could use a cord. There is even a remote for the Vivitar 283-285 that allows you to put the exposure sensor in the camera shoe and hold the flash an arm's length away, off to the side, and still get auto-flash exposure. Works great, I've used it for event shooting too.

I think a pre-focused Leica and f/16 would rock, he gets to see the exposure, unlike a SLR.
 
If you watch the video, you can see that Gilden, in addition to be adept with his gear and methods, is a genius when it comes to interacting with people. Just shoving a camera in people's faces might, in the absence of relating to them, be totally obnoxious. What he does is not. He engages the people he shoots. Many of them seem to enjoy the attention (although, not necessarily the flash). I think it takes a special kind of personality to be this outgoing. He makes it work.
 
Frank Petronio said:
[...]

I think a pre-focused Leica and f/16 would rock, he gets to see the exposure, unlike a SLR.
Click to expand...

I've never used flash with a rangefinder before, funny enough. The point about seeing the exposure is very interesting. I'll give it a try.

By the way, I think he is using a wide-angle, given how close he works and the accessory viewfinder. That certainly helps with the depth of field
 
I have tried that style out of curiosity recently (28mm and 35mm, hand held flash), but never did get that close to the subject as Mr. Gilden does. At least one is not making a secret about taking a photograph, especially at night.

R249-01.jpg


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emraphoto said:
The magic of the Internet... How do we know anyone was homeless? I have met many "homeless" types that aren't homeless? I know a fella named Roy who has duct tape pants and a dreadlock beard. He is a well regarded poet and most certainly isn't homeless.

People are people, sporting Gucci luggage or plum crazy with dreads in their eyebrows.
Click to expand...

People are people and I assure you this person was homeless. If it's considered stereotypical to assume that an unbathed, filthy man wearing tattered rags in sub-freezing temperatures with a well-used trashbag over his shoulder is homeless - then I'm guilty. I've never been too good at the politically correct game, but this man was homeless.
 
emraphoto said:
pretty cool. is it hard to aim that speed light when you are shooting?
Click to expand...

Not really. Usually I set the 28mm lens to f8 and zone focus. Getting the exposure right is a bit tricky, but auto flash may help. An external viewfinder is also very helpful.

I guess I won't use that style very often, but it is good to have it in the repertoire.
 
anitasanger said:
People are people and I assure you this person was homeless. If it's considered stereotypical to assume that an unbathed, filthy man wearing tattered rags in sub-freezing temperatures with a well-used trashbag over his shoulder is homeless - then I'm guilty. I've never been too good at the politically correct game, but this man was homeless.
Click to expand...

its not about politically correct and I apologize if my comment seems snarky. it's how Gilden suddenly becomes a (insert whatever perjorative here) snapping homeless folks. the dude, Gilden, has done so much work beyond what we see on YouTube, that is full of heart and caring. But, he is frequently labelled and judged by folks that haven't even taken a moment to talk to him. he has also been judged and labelled on the merit of assumptions.

I have photographed homeless folks, drug dealers, addicts, pimps and everything in between. does that make me a douchebag? i would hope one would take a moment to investigate my intentions before assigning the label.
 
gho said:
Not really. Usually I set the 28mm lens to f8 and zone focus. Getting the exposure right is a bit tricky, but auto flash may help. An external viewfinder is also very helpful.

I guess I won't use that style very often, but it is good to have it in the repertoire.
Click to expand...

I have been messing about with it myself. i have added a homemade snoot to light up specific areas... it is a work out getting the trajectory right!
 
Can't say I'm anywhere near a 'style' that I want to have yet, but I'm pretty sure my style isn't like his.

From the images cut through the 'Texas Ball video' I can see his style is matured and coherent (mine is neither) but that does not necessarily make it 'good'. To me, that is.

Yet, it's nice to see him working because he is very connected with the results he's getting.

Thanks for posting.
 
emraphoto said:
I have been messing about with it myself. i have added a homemade snoot to light up specific areas... it is a work out getting the trajectory right!
Click to expand...

I have also experimented a bit with some kind of diffusor. In fact a white plastic cup over the flash. A direct flash can be a bit harsh.
 
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