Bruce Gilden
"I'm known for taking pictures very close, and the older I get, the closer I get."
Bruce Gilden; an Brooklyn Street Photographer who has been capturing images of urban spaces within america for over twenty years.
What an inspirtation this photographer is, he has one of the most unique styles i've ever come across.
Bruce Gilden captures his images in black and white, which is firstly why he is a great street photographer to research in order to aid myself in my own project of street photography as i too will be using a 35mm camera with black and white films. I think before going on to speak any further about this photographer and what I love about his style of photography and the outcome of his images, it would be of great importance that I include a video of him at work, in order to properly show his technique.
Street shots New York, Bruce Gilden
This video really goes to show how brave Bruce Gilden is! What I've found is the main barrier between a street photographer and capturing the images they wish to capture, is the fear of what people in the streets may think of you or what they may say. I've personally found that receiving looks from the public just for walking with my camera in my hand down a street is daunting enough, never mind the looks or abuse a photographer may receive for holding a camera and flash less than a meter away from a person's face.
This attitude of not caring what people think however, is what really enables Bruce Gilden to capture these unique images. This is therefore why, as an ammeter street photographer, I admire him, as I know that I too must acquire the same attitude if I want to capture images in the streets of everything I want to.
So its pretty obvious why Bruce Gilden's images are so unique compared to any other photographer? Whats so successful about this up-close technique in which he uses, is that the viewer is almost drawn into the image when looking at it; You as a viewer, feel as though you're there, in that moment, that close to the subject in the image.
What Bruce Gilden also does so successfully, which I am going to try within my own street photography, is spotting quirky "characters" as he calls them, to photograph. I've found myself that when walking through the street with a camera, constantly searching for interesting people to photograph, you spot so many out of the ordinary people and things, that you wouldn't normally see on a day to day basis as you rush through the street, in your own little world, like everyone else.
In the video various images were shown of Bruce Gildens work in NewYork, however these are not the only series of images by Bruce Gilden that i find interesting and inspiring.
Coney Island;
What I love about Bruce Gilden's images from Coney Island, is the slight sense of humor within them. These images really remind me of the work of Martin Parr, I love how the images are a true representation of people. I think when any person looks at the images, they would be able to relate to them and have a slight laugh, as we all know that these are the kind of sights we see on and around our beaches every summer.
One interesting factor I have found when researching further into Bruce Gilden which surprised me, is that not all of his images are of people acting naturally, some of the images he takes are set up or posed. In this video, you are given an interesting insight and told the story by Bruce Gilden behind each image. while watching this it was then when i realised that at times, Bruce asks interesting Characters to step aside and pose for him to take a photo.
As I discussed in my last blog, on Tanya Nagar, I personally find it really interesting and helpful to hear or read the photographers story or opinion of their image, as it allows you as the viewer to really appreciate and understand what the photographer was intending to capture.
