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

[emraphoto]

That is an interesting one. What this video, observing Bruce Gilden's rapport with people, reminds me of is that photographing people is essentially having a conversation with them.

I could not agree more!

 

[leicashot]

Photography...

Either way, I have to be honest, when people approach me when I'm out shooting and want to talk kit, I run the other way. Maybe he saw you coming and got the hint 😉

 

[anitasanger]

And what were you going to "discuss" with this world famous photographer?

You know, the usual. Existentialism, astral projection and the phenomena of morons asking irrelevant questions in hopes of appearing witty on web-forums.

 

[kshapero]

BG is pretty damn awesome in my book. Right in your face baby. whew.

 

[anitasanger]

BG is pretty damn awesome in my book. Right in your face baby. whew.

Agreed. Regardless of how anyone feels about his technique, he has skills nonetheless. It's really his genre, a step beyond street photography.

 

[Jamie123]

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.

There are worse things happening to homeless people than being photographed. People worry too much about homeless people's right to privacy and too little about their actual well being. I'm sure most homeless people couldn't care less about being photographed.

If you photograph strangers on the street without their permission you're always exploiting them to a certain degree whether they're billionaires, homeless or anything inbetween. I don't see why it should be morally permissive to exploit a middle-class guy any more than a homeless guy. People are people.

 

[LKSC]

I met Bruce Gilden in Times Square last year. I knew his work, recognized him, and approached him for a chat. He is a delightful personality: thoroughly candid and engaging. We spoke for about 15 minutes, and I got to watch him work. Something the youtube videos don't show is how he often smiles and thanks his street subjects afterwards. He allowed me to take a few pictures of him:

It's dismaying to see how judgmental some comments in this thread are. Why diss and bitch, esp when one has nothing to show for it, instead of share and learn?

Certainly, everyone has his own personality.

Mr Gilden told me he does not read internet forums, but is aware he has as many detractors as admirers. But as he told me: "You gotta do what you gotta do".

 

[anitasanger]

Nice portrait!

 

[nolasafari]

I like Mr. Gilden's style, he is good a what he dose. His accent and demeanor would disarm a lot of people very quickly. He is himself one of the characters he so likes to photograph. I learned a lot from the information and posts in this thread thanks to everyone who posted their opinions.

 

[nolasafari]

What I ask myself, though, about Gilden and other photographers who have such a particular style is how they can do the same kind of photography their whole lives and not get bored.
Don't get me wrong, I like Gilden's stuff, especially the Yakuza pictures but I only have to look at them every once in a while. If I were Gilden I'd probably wake up one day and think "I'm over that whole flash in your face thing. I think I'll try some color film and available light today."

He is a specialists he has found his niche, he may go home and shoot landscapes to relax.

 

[apodeictic]

Mr Gilden told me he does not read internet forums, but is aware he has as many detractors as admirers. But as he told me: "You gotta do what you gotta do".

I absolutely love this. I can hear him saying that and just see him shrugging it off. When it comes to criticism, I think we can all learn something from Mr. Gilden.

 

[Spyro]

man I only wish to have his energy and passion at his age...

 

[Dfin]

Flash & Grab, on ya Brucie.

 

[user237428934]

Agreed. Regardless of how anyone feels about his technique, he has skills nonetheless. It's really his genre, a step beyond street photography.

A pick pocket or a burglar they have guts and some skills too.

I must admit that I only know that youtube stuff about mr. gilden but from that I really don't like what he does. If some nerd jumped in front of me with a device pointing at me at that distance, it would certainly trigger my self defense reflex. I wonder how often he got seriously hurt in all those years.

 

[jan normandale]

I'm okay with his in your face style with his camera. Nothing is earth breaking in his style there. The key is he blows off a flash in people faces from +/- 8 feet. Personally I think that's just obnoxious.

Looking at his portfolio and some youtube video footage I'd say he's blasting off a lot of shots and he's a volume shooter looking for a hit in all the exposures he's taken. Some people like this and he does have some images I like but an equal amount are not hitting any spots for me. I think Garry Winogrand was better at this style and didn't use flash to disarm and temporarily disorient subjects.

For sure my opinion is of little consequence because he's at Magnum and I'm not.
Bruce obviously has something right or he wouldn't be there.

 

[sniki]

Raptor and hard-hitting style, no less than incisive and effective, in spite of it all.

 

[MCTuomey]

rrf'rs seem to bump into mr gilden from time to time:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=104997

getting the flash off the camera probably has more to do with improving the result than any concern for putting "light in people's eyes."

i envy the guy his ability, experience, passion, and people skills. and the fact that he's so active in his craft he doesn't spend time on the internet.

 

[ChrisCummins]

These kind of threads are some of the most valuable on this forum IMO, rather than talking about lens combinations or best film emulsions... It actually inspires me to try a different style of photography.

On a technical note - what can you deduce about the way he photographs? It's so quick that I guess he must pre-focus at about 1mtr, but have a small enough aperture to ensure sharp focus? The photographs I have seen show huge depths of field. Plus the angle of view gives the impression it's a wide lens - 35mm?

Another thing, unless he is just very smooth, it looks like the camera never really stops moving when he takes the shots, he must have pretty quick shutter speeds right?

I'm very curious. Thanks to everyone for bringing this guy to my attention

 

[Nikkor AIS]

I really like Bruce Gilden's work. He is not afraid to get in people's faces and get up close and personal.
Everyone has the choice of how they shoot and subject matter. And his style and choice of subjects are unique.

I try not to judge other people's shooting styles. In fact, I was out last week using the wide angle on my Leica M7 and my Vivitar 285 and TTL cord.

I was always taught to walk a mile in someone's shoes before you judge.

 

[semilog]

And it didn't occur to you that is just a bit creepy?

Without actually seeing the person in action, no. That doesn't, prima facie, seem creepy at all. Standing or sitting, waiting for things to happen is a key approach used by street photographers around the world.