EP.04 A GLOW AROUND THEM with Street Photographer Michelle Groskopf

After years working hard as a NYC TV producer and college professor, MICHELLE GROSKOPF’s found herself burnt out, in need of change. With an abrupt pivot to life in LA, she found herself drawn towards photography as the means to help reconciling this paradigm shift. Since then, she’s carved out a respected area as an LA editorial and art photographer making hyper detailed, colorful photos of her spontaneous street encounters.
In this episode of Wrong Side Of The Lens, Michelle speaks on how the various stages of her life have led her photography, an obsession which has helped her understand herself maybe more than anything else. We see her fearless up close street photo approach put mostly smiles on peoples faces as well as a few confused frowns. She explains how her photos of people are really just small stories of herself she sees in others and how they can add up to one larger insight. She speaks about her early years as an awkward kid with little direction and how with the help of a few memorable teachers, taught her how to keep herself engaged utilizing the arts. She was shown an alternative path, with a bright light at the end of the tunnel. She’s been on that path with many great things happening on the journey.
Music By: Grant Cutler, Daniel Kramer, Estate, Sloslylove
Filmed 05/2019 in Los Angeles, CA
Find us here:
www.wrongsideo...
/ wrongsideofthelens
/ wrongsideofthelens
WRONG SIDE OF THE LENS is a documentary series exploring the lives of street photographers. Here, we get a rare chance to turn the camera on those not used to on that side of the lens. We begin to answer the question of why they are so obsession with taking images of complete strangers. They come from a variety of backgrounds yet are drawn to this same calling; street photo. This is a relatively new and, often misunderstood art form, which leaves ample room for these hard working artists to push boundaries. This series captures many of these moments.

[@WSOTL]

Michelle is amazing! Thx for all the positivity here! When you're though watching her's a few times, make sure to check all 19epides (so far) on www.wrongsideofthelens.com

[@babettesfeast6347]

I’m stuck indoors feeling miserable mourning my wife who died last year. Now Michelle has inspired me to go back out with my camera and do street photography. She’s incredibly talented and totally fearless.

[@RolandKaufmann]

One thing I’ve noticed is that, for myself and a lot of street photographers, the camera makes us what we’re not without it. I have a pretty serious social anxiety, but with a camera in my hands I become able to deal with those situations. Just something I’ve noticed the more I learn about other street photographers.

[@WSOTL]

That is interesting. It's a strange permission giving device.

[@RolandKaufmann]

@@WSOTL it sure can be. Maybe it activated a different part of my brain that isn’t afraid of people haha.

[@marioarias9942]

You’re more afraid of missing the photo.

[@maxbashyrov5785]

The boy with a guitar perfectly summarized what's the problem with this lady.

[@ianhh23]

We can see on the video that she's aware and she is nice to people as well. Also, I'm sure many of the interactions she has with people make them feel good

[@Larrydavey]

Can also tell the more he talked the more he explained to himself as well that it really wasn’t a big deal. Taking the photo was legal. Using it commercially would be illegal. It’s often laughable when people think a random snapshot by a stranger is going to somehow be worth any monetary value.

[@maxbashyrov5785]

@@Larrydavey It was not about commercial use / legality. As a matter of fact, I'm a big opponent of "preventive" regulations regarding taking photos.

[@AtilioEscobar]

I wasn't feelin her vibe. No disrespect tho. I bit too 'in your face' for me. I just watched the Aaron Berger vid, & I dig his stealth approach.

[@WSOTL]

Thoughtful comment. Appreciate that.

[@Larrydavey]

The big thing that comes across here is she is confident and believes deep in what she is doing. She’s not hurting anyone. I found her rather inspiring. Well documented work of her. Thumbs up.

[@JoshEthanJohnson]

I appreciate that and that was my takeaway as well spending time with her. She made so many people's day brighter that day

[@ShawnPBruce]

I was so stressed just watching this. I could never do what Michelle does. The photos are beautiful, though. What a great eye for details and moments.

[@ndnbutler503]

There’s like a need and want to express both conscious and subconious thought and idea. The ending of this video really tied that idea together wholesomely because what we want to express and show a lot of times is either not seen or not understood (by the masses at least). It’s nice when curiosity by concern leads to connection (some level of understanding).

[@justinbraun8003]

For me this style is too similar to that of Bruce Gilden. To each their own, but it’s just not for me.

[@seanbrucemedia5695]

Cool episode as usual, but this non-consensual, close personal space invasion style is disrespectful AF. LOL!

[@Dj.D25]

She's sort of like the female version of Bruce Gilden. Except more friendly? Some of her shots are interesting, but others seem too uncomfortable. Getting right in their face with the flash? Especially following certain people and they know it and feel uncomfortable. Also I don't really like the look of flash photography in broad daylight, even if it helps somewhat to lighten the shadows. I could never do this aggressive, in your face style of street photography, since I could get insulted or possibly even start a fight. And it doesn't fit my personality either. I prefer candid, from a distance, trying not to be seen or shoot discreetly.

[@JayOhR]

cool photos i guesss but damn she has no respect for people and no people skills

[@gordoncoonfield8435]

Thank you for this gift! Love this work.

[@WSOTL]

Kind words my friend.

[@EdDevereaux]

I’m not a fan of the in your face but I am also not a fan of forcing me to listen to your music beach singer.

[@dan-le-brun]

Another great episode Josh. Love how Michelle gets the photo but then is non-defensive and human about it if people want to talk or ask her why. Been telling freinds about your documentaries to try and get you subs. This work deserves it, thanks.

[@WSOTL]

Amazing. IOU one!

[@TravisHenson777]

Art can be messy. I’m only 31, so I’m no wise prophet, but one thing I can already tell about this life is that you’ll never move if you’re afraid to step on someone’s toes. I do think that what she’s doing is somewhat rude, impolite, and even a little insensitive. I simultaneously think that her pictures (and others from photographers like her) are something that people in the future will derive great value from. It’s like baking a cake that everybody hates you for, that people won’t appreciate for 50 years… and when they finally taste it, they’ll say, “Fuuuuccccccckkk, this is amazing.”.

[@jonatascd_]

another well produced video! the use of sound across the video is well thought. the hard change of soundtrack when showing the photos she just took, I’d say it mimics the experience of watching or following her. I must say it is somewhat disturbing because we watch her pouring out her heart and motivations, such a precious person, but then her approach is invasive which feels completely the opposite of listening to her reasoning. The fact that her work resonates a lot B Gilden’s work brings distraction to the discussion, but I definitely don’t see it a demerit at all. Street photography is crowded with Winogrand wannabe’s and nobody say a thing on their content about it. I don’t agree with her approach but it is not a reason to stamp or label right away it is art in the sense of triggering emotions and on that I think she is already being successful. I just finished watching the video, hence the amount of words 😊

[@creativemofoo]

Imagine if it was a dude getting close up on a chicks butt or children showing and taking a photo, cops would be called immediately. But a woman doing the same thing is "just fine" too bad the girl didn't know she's a lesbian taking a butt pic, might change them being "ok" with it. She's also rude af being all up in peoples faces. I shoot candid street and would never approach people like this. I'm glad the guitar kid made her stop and think for a moment. #DoubleStandards I do however love, love, love these episodes. Especially being a street photographer myself. Thank you for them!

[@markgoodwin5306]

Haha, you're right. No one in their right mind could reasonably argue these points.

[@peteragoston7701]

Yes, sure people perceive women photographers differently, they may be more welcoming towards them. But consider that a woman probably will not dare to just walk into any street anytime on their own. So, yeah we have slightly different costs for opportunities. But it's not just that, for example an extrovert person's walk through the city will probably be much more different than an introvert's. The former might go into a barbershop and photograph the people there, the latter might discover signs and visual comedy on the street nobody ever noticed. In my perception, it's not about what we have or don't have, it's what we make of it.

[@thejerkyshack8040]

Lots of male photographers behave this way too and are revered and defended.

[@byloutrav]

Yeh, this stresses me out. Don’t appreciate the style at all. But yeh, loved the video, enjoy this channel ALOT

[@thenosyhungarian]

Fantastic! Amazing captures, real thoughts. And the guy at 12:35 makes such a perfect case in such a nice way for why the way this is done is not quite that cool.

[@thejerkyshack8040]

Yeah it's astonishing how readily people accept this kind of behaviour. It's why people think photographers are pretentious assholes.

[@abarusso]

I just keep going back to this episode. There's something about Michelle, her storytelling, how she relates to people, her humour that really stands out and inspires me.

[@JoshEthanJohnson]

Great to hear. Same with me!!!

[@tracyspacy96]

Interesting to see what her approach evokes in me. I feel uncomfortable and i would not do this myself. I am wondering how i would feel if someone would do that and i guess i would not like it. I get the reason tho! I mean i sometimes wish my husband would take an unplanned picture, because posing is not my thing. But this is so close and upfront. I would feel to self conscious about my insecurities around my face.

[@Dj.D25]

She seems very similar to Bruce Gilden in style, except more friendly? I could never do that approach of photographing someone's face up close, especially doing flash, which doesn't make much sense to me when it's bright outside.

[@Dunsgroveau]

love how unapologetic she is n she wouldn’t get these moments if she had to ask for every single one

[@tomcav]

People will let you video them while asking about why you took their pictures 😭😭 my go to street photo technique is acting like I’m a tourist taking video

[@stockholmgrapher]

I just couldn’t watch it to the end. She triggered my anxiety.

[@SlavaVeres]

I get the idea of capturing moments untarnished. Sometimes you need to get that shit even if it can upset people. But making it your “modus operandi” - no, it’s not cool. I believe the work ETHICS matter… Being a street / documentary / reportage photographer doesn’t exclude being respectful. Her type of photography style borderlines with harassment 😐

[@Awayne429]

I strongly dislike this style of street photography but I love her photos, they need to be captured in this way. This style is uncomfortable but the images truly speaks to the volume of her work.

[@HighlyAkicktive]

The guy at 10:28 definitely is German. "You have no permission"

[@bobstevemd3265]

The editing on this vidoes was really good. It matched her mood/energy and was some times chaotic

[@charliipresley]

This is an odd one

[@Ruylopez778]

The people who get upset for having their picture taken in a public space should really be more concerned about the degree of surveillance they are under at all times. That being said, holding the flash as she does, I can see why it makes people uncomfortable. I think that situation on the pier could have gone much better. Yeah, the guy doesn't know the rights of a photographer, but just disagreeing with him instead of explaining her intentions doesn't help. I guess it's hard to get her style of photos any other way, and some people get their feelings hurt.

[@skrilla20]

I agree and disagree, as a photographer we are documenting humans which is ironic because most photographers don't treat them as such they just see people as a subject for their work and don't take people feelings and emotions into consideration. its important to have morals and ethics when ur photographing people some people can be going through tuff times and having a stranger shove a camera in ur face out of no where capturing your low point is the last thing you would want to happen. So the whole "its not against the law" troupe is tiring because then we forget to have respect and compassion for other people. If a person doesn't want to have their photo taken they have every right to have a reaction simply delete it and continue on ur day. Capturing a great photo means nothing if the person behind it is negatively affected by it.

[@Ruylopez778]

@@skrilla20 Hmm, well perhaps I didn't convey my opinions clearly. 1. I agree that there is a risk of photographers being insensitive and lacking empathy or even just misunderstanding. I think this is true in other professions too, though, like nurses or police, who can use dehumanising language or behaviour at times, due to a variety of reasons. With "art" I would argue that the photographer/artist isn't merely just documenting humanity drily, or existing within society. There really needs to be some kind of process or emotional expression beyond merely that, although some times we take a photo purely because of instinct, whatever our mindset (serious, cynical, playful etc). And so it's certainly possible that may take precedence, such as 'I need to capture this perfect moment in time, even if other people can't or won't understand'. Whether that is morally acceptable or not is of course debatable. We could argue that in a potential conflict of conscience, you should make the shot anyway, and worry about it later. Or we could argue that you shouldn't compromise your morals/integrity regardless of how 'clever' or 'magical' a certain moment might be. I suppose we might argue that the potential distress it causes is outweighed by the potential joy or insight an audience could potentially find in that photo. Or maybe it's never outweighed. 2. I don't know if you've seen John Free's youtube channel, but I think he has a really delightful attitude. He basically advocates no cheap or easy shots - so we don't just shoot the easy photo of someone homeless for example, just for the sake of shooting it. We have to try a little harder than that, dig a little deeper, because we don't want to be cliche or cynical. He argues that we are trying to make a 'visual poem' that unlocks the beauty (or otherwise) of humanity *for* humanity to study. And that if the people we see on the streets knew our true intention, they would hug us out of admiration. And therefore we can't be timid, or we will look suspicious. I think no matter how genuine our intentions there is always the risk we will be misinterpreted or judged or even upset someone. 3. As I said, it's her particular way of making her work, and clearly she does interact with some subjects, in different ways, and - in my opinion - acts a little defensive in some situations. I think the photographer can approach a subject aware, 'This might piss them off', but take the photo anyway without necessarily being insensitive for doing it. I remember taking an instax photo at night, with the flash going off, of a woman alone in the city holding a flower and taking a selfie. She didn't appear upset, or intimidated, she certainly was shocked momentarily but smiled sheepishly. I didn't know when I took it what reaction it would cause, but perhaps for whatever reason I seemed sincere, or part of that moment. It wasn't a good photo as it turned out. I don't feel I regret that, or it was insensitive, more like I was sharing her joy in her moment. If she had been upset or intimidated, there's probably no explanation I could have given that would have helped. 4. I do feel uncomfortable at the way some people take photos of others in what feels an intrusive way, and they make a throw away comment like, 'You look great', which sometimes sounds sincere and sometimes sounds like a cynical technique to avoid questions. But then some of the great photos I've seen by great photographers may well have resulted in a confrontation. I have seen some photographers diffuse a situation purely by saying, 'It's OK, I'm a photographer' with confidence; as if to say, 'I'm not doing anything suspicious or creepy here, so don't worry, you aren't being exploited or in danger.' I suppose that also depends on the energy of the photographer. I think it's possible to stand your ground without being an asshole, though I feel some instances in this video made me a grimace a little. 5. I think it's up to the photographer whether they delete it or not, but I agree they should offer to do that if the person is upset. I know it's glib to compare it with security cameras and surveillance, but I think that is a bigger threat to us than someone taking pictures of life on the street for the purpose of expressing what it feels like to live in these times. Sure, we might ague that it can border on exploitation at times - but we all feel a variety of intense emotions in life, including shame or embarrassment, so even showing someone in a situation that may not be flattering isn't necessarily cynical, but just showing life as absurd and painful as it is. It is certainly worth having the discussion about what feels right or wrong and why, what is justified - or not - rather than the "it's a public place" defence. I think some photographers are going to draw their own boundaries based on their own experience, expression and goals.

[@RohamBroccoli]

No respect and invade people's peace and quiet. Not cool👎

[@Wasp9513]

it is either that or there is no photo

[@dbugatto]

Great images , and only achievable with a bold approach .

[@tomforster5447]

She's great, no question.

[@LilyCraven1]

Very thought provoking!!

[@thegirlwholeftthefridgeopen]

The portraits are so good and I think instead of walking away to offer to send it to them. Those portraits really show their true selves and think it would be a fair trade for getting in so close. I would say print really small business cards with your instagram account and hand it to them after the picture is taken. Your photos are amazing and Bruce Gilden would be proud carrying on the tradition of street flash photography but with your own personal style that he couldn't do. This is a really great series.

[@berlinpix1]

great episode, didn't know michelles work before, thank you josh for creating this series.

[@keirowan-young3386]

Her work looks great but I agree that when getting into someone’s close personal space, it would be respectful or less of an assault if she spoke to them a little. It’s like stealing a kiss or grabbing someone without so much as a hello or thank you.

[@cninh4574]

I LOVE her work so much, so cool to see the way she talks to people, how Michelle's candid stuff comes about.

[@thoughtdujour]

Thanks you to the KZbin algorithm god's that this channel was recommended to me. "Liking" and "Subscribing"

[@mr_mr]

So good!

[@zachminers9952]

Amazing work on this video, thank you so much

[@WSOTL]

Anytime

[@christopherscottcarpenter]

Between her assertions that most people just "don't have that glow," per her own judgements, and the way she mishandled the gentleman on the pier, I have to say this woman comes off pretentious and self-important; insult to injury is that all of this just for work that seems very derivative of someone like Martin Parr.

[@ibanez456189]

SCurilous womabn!!

[@NickyRoads]

Canceled my Netflix. This series is all I need

[@thejerkyshack8040]

13:25 that's the look of disapointment from someone that realizes the other person has absoloutely no respect for them.

[@jebeq2007]

What an Awesome Photographer!!! So inspiring!

[@seanmlemoine]

I met Michelle years ago at a popular art book store in LA. They were really cool and down to earth and I think that’s reflected in this video. I understand the sentiment of feeling uncomfortable by this approach because social norms have told us that this isn’t polite but there’s also nothing wrong with it. There’s a certain level of liberty that we give up every time we go out in public and I think people forget that. I wouldn’t exactly want someone to approach me like this but that discomfort is also a reflection of my insecurities; the “why would you want to photograph ME?” feeling. Anyways. Great episode and love seeing Michelle’s approach. Someone writing about it doesn’t do it justice in comparison to the moving image.

[@Pearldrummer55]

It's all fun and games til she hits someone with epilepsy with that flash

[@genobambino]

I usually like something about street photographers, especially the ones willing to get close, but her stuff is kinda grotesque because of that damn speedlite and SLR. Too clinical and soulless.

[@mikegarthwaite8925]

Great attitude

[@DavidAdamEdelstein]

These are all so damn good. ❤

[@WSOTL]

big thanks!

[@candidsol]

If people want to shoot like this, i mean, that's on them and some photographers are phenomenal with this approach (Martin Parr, although he's much more thoughtful and steady) but when people are dismissive of those who question their approach, and then respond with "yeah,"and laugh and scoff at them, that's just disrespectful. It's really unnecessary.

[@goopcat]

She’s about ruin that guy’s day! Haha. Smacked in the face with flash

[@rogerwalton8160]

Interesting but I wish there was a "like" filter!

[@Tappedin]

You guys should do @gabeshaddow