WNYC Street Shots: Bruce Gilden

Summary

Bruce Gilden, a Brooklyn-born photographer since 1981, shares his unique street photography approach. He emphasizes close-up shots to immerse viewers in the action, often using flash to capture the city's energy and anxiety. Gilden is drawn to distinctive characters, not the average passerby, aiming to evoke the feeling of being present on the bustling streets. He has witnessed Manhattan's transformation over the years, noting a loss of individuality and character, which contrasts with his earlier experiences. Despite the dangers and challenges of street photography, Gilden remains passionate about capturing the essence of the city and its people.

Takeaways

• 📸 Bruce Gilden is a street photographer born in 1946 in Brooklyn, known for his direct and confrontational style.
• 🗣️ He has a distinctive accent, which he finds infamous, acquired from growing up in Brooklyn.
• 👀 Gilden's early fascination with the bustling street life in Brooklyn ignited his passion for photography.
• 🚶‍♂️ He prefers walking on the west side of the street and maintains a fast pace, even at the age of 61.
• 📷 He often uses flash photography to capture the energy, stress, and anxiety of city life.
• 👥 Gilden's work makes viewers feel like participants, as he photographs people up close, capturing their unguarded moments.
• 🤔 He is drawn to photographing individuals who are 'characters', those who stand out and are not average in appearance.
• 📚 Gilden believes that a successful street photograph should make the viewer feel like they can 'smell the street', immersing them in the scene.
• 🌆 He has been documenting Manhattan since 1981 and observes that the city has become more homogenized over time.
• 😅 Friends note that when they are with Gilden, they notice more 'characters' on the street, which they don't see as much on their own.
• 💥 Gilden compares the intensity of street photography to a war zone, suggesting it's more dangerous and competitive than other forms of photography.

Q & A

Who is Bruce Gilden and what is his profession?

Bruce Gilden is a photographer born in 1946 in Brooklyn. He is known for his close-up street photography.

What is distinctive about Bruce Gilden's accent?

Bruce Gilden has a Brooklyn accent, which he describes as either famous or infamous, and he admits he can't stand it.

What inspired Bruce Gilden to become a photographer?

Bruce Gilden was inspired by the vigorous activity he observed from his second-story window as a child in Brooklyn.

Why does Bruce Gilden typically walk on the west side of the street?

He doesn't know why, but he feels more comfortable walking on the west side of the street.

How does Bruce Gilden's age affect his photography?

As he has aged, Bruce Gilden's pace has slowed down, which has likely influenced his approach to capturing street photography.

Why does Bruce Gilden use flash in his photography?

He uses flash to help visualize his feelings about the city, including its energy, stress, and anxiety.

What does Bruce Gilden aim to achieve with his street photographs?

He wants viewers to feel like participants and to be in the middle of the action, as if they can smell the street.

How does Bruce Gilden describe the people he photographs?

He looks for characters that make an impression on him, people who are not average looking and who are often lost in thought.

What is Bruce Gilden's opinion on ethics in photography?

He claims to have no ethics and dismisses the idea of ethics in photography, suggesting that it's not as important as the work itself.

How does Bruce Gilden perceive the danger in his work?

He views his street photography as more dangerous than working in supposedly dangerous places like Haiti, as he feels more connected to the people and the reactions he gets on the street.

What changes has Bruce Gilden observed in Manhattan since he started photographing there?

He has noticed that Manhattan has become more similar and uniform, with people dressing and looking the same, and places like 42nd Street have changed from being crazy to being more like Disney World.

How does Bruce Gilden's friend describe the difference in characters seen when with Bruce?

His friend notices that when they are together, they see many more characters, suggesting that Bruce has a unique ability to spot and capture interesting individuals.