I Tried Photographing Like Bruce Gilden: Here's What Happened

Starting the new year off with a flash!
Bruce Gilden's links:
www.brucegilden.com/
/ bruce_gilden
/ brucegilden
Interviews:
archive.org/details/everstreet
• How does Bruce Gilden ...
• Bruce in China
• Bruce Gilden on Signat...
• The Art of Street Phot...
• WNYC Street Shots: Bru...
• Photographers in Focus...
• Bruce Gilden ‘Untitled’
Videos Referenced:
• Bruce Gilden in Miami ...
• Bruce Gilden en Acción.
• Bruce Gilden
• Bruce Gilden Iris Nigh...
• Magnum street photogra...
• Bruce Gilden (2014) Ne...
00:00 Intro
01:40 Background
04:57 Parameters of Style
08:31 Physical Preparation
10:36 Camera Settings
16:14 Street Photography: Caribana
18:23 FIFA World Cup Buildup
20:41 Day of the Final
21:54 Street Photography: World Cup Victory
27:09 World Cup Photos Montage
28:51 Final Comparison

[@kefinsequeira]

the "physical preparation" has to be one of my favourite segments of any KZbin video EVER

[@ImitativePhotography]

Haha glad you enjoyed it

[@luismartins3262]

If I was doing this series, I would have conveniently forgotten to include Gilden. Kudos to you for having the guts to do it.

[@Nightinglass]

I’ve really fallen for your series, you’ve done a tonne of research. Appreciate how you break it all down. Respect

[@weisserth]

Joel Meyerowitz Says He Despises Bruce Gilden’s Attitude, Calls Him a Bully - Sean O’Hagan over at The Observer has published an interesting profile of famed NYC street photographer Joel Meyerowitz, who had some pretty harsh things to say about his fellow NYC street shooter, Bruce Gilden. "I ask Meyerowitz about the combative, confrontational style of street photography espoused by the likes of fellow New Yorker Bruce Gilden, and he grows visibly angry for the only time in our conversation. “He’s a f**king bully. I despise the work, I despise the attitude, he’s an aggressive bully and all the pictures look alike because he only has one idea - ‘I’m gonna embarrass you, I’m going to humiliate you.’ I’m sorry, but no.”" Nothing to add to this. Joel Meyerowitz nailed it.

[@stefanbadass5357]

Agree 100% Photography as degradation

[@Dan-jg7zl]

but that's his opinion. Do that means he's right? I think Joel's street photography is crap and is vastly overrated. That is just my opinion.

[@weisserth]

@@Dan-jg7zl you think your opinion on photography carries equal weight to Joel Meyerowitz' opinion? That's cute, mate.

[@jasongold6751]

Brilliant. Bruce Gilden very sincere about his work. I chatted with him in Toronto. Your work great. Do more! Bravo

[@Bruce-sk7tu]

While I've looked at other photographers' work for inspiration, it was never to the point where I went out to replicate their methods and style. You've opened my mind with your series. Thank you for that. At some point it will be interesting to see what style of yours emerges. In the meantime, I'll be working on my own. Keep going!

[@carlosmcse]

Is that something important to be “working on”? A style?

[@Bruce-sk7tu]

@@carlosmcse Hi, Carlos, I think you make a good point, and in re-reading my response, I'd phrase it a little differently. To "work on" one's style implies a self-concerned process, which isn't really what I mean. Maybe finding or discovering one's style. A process of exploration. So many of the photographers I admire studied art and transferred their sensibilities to the world of photography. When you think of Vermeer, Rembrandt, Goya, Mondrian, Picasso, or whoever, you can see an evolution to their work, but in each case there's a quality unique to each of those artists. The same can be said for Ansel Adams, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Brassai, Garry Winogrand, Dianne Arbus, Annie Liebowitz, Sebastiao Salgado, Harry Gruyaert. It took time, but each developed a style that expressed the way they view the world. Cartier-Bresson is quoted as saying "Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst".

[@mikenow3050]

The old tall guy in the suit was great. He plowed down the street like a battleship. He had clearly seen it all and didn't care. Unsinkable. Would love to know his story.

[@Mexximillion]

You are a gem and the value of your work will be recognized. I am certain of it. Just found your channel today and I am looking forward to watching all of it.

[@wowflower]

this is the perfect mix of documentary, vlog, and video essay!!!!! beautiful. i laughed, i winced, i almost even shed a tear! amazing work!!!!

[@AleRodrigues]

Another great video! The narrative structure you use is really good. And what an anxiety seeing Bruce's work and people's reactions. Really liked your effort and photos

[@therealdeemz_]

Cheered for you through the whole way, was very glad when you took those photos of the celebration! Really well researched video, and I applaud your guts when it comes to experimenting something like this!

[@mankyraver]

Mate, you've just made half an hour breeze by like 5 minutes, a skill not many people have. This video was very interesting. I've just about watched all your films and my head is now so full of colour, perspectives, styles, techniques that I feel like I've just done a year-long photography course. Your films are gripping, well-researched, entertaining, beautifully narrated, and most importantly, educational. Thank you so much for all your hard work and your time. I look forward to your future uploads. Nice one, mate!!😁👍

[@ImitativePhotography]

Thanks! Really appreciate the kind words.

[@gregwill500]

This was a brave experiment, regardless of outcome, and the purpose is to learn ( and share the learning) by going through the process. Regarding the one comment about using a prime lens…have you considered buying some vintage primes and adapting them? You can get some relatively cheap ones ( although the wide angles are a bit more pricey). But for zone focusing they are really perfect. Great job. Great channel.

[@ImitativePhotography]

Yeah I just don't do enough wide angle shooting at this point to justify buying a 28 or 24 mm prime. I do have some longer >50 mm primes which you'll see in an upcoming Saul Leiter video I'm working on.

[@gregwill500]

@@ImitativePhotography nice! Look forward to that one! Be really authentic saul if you got a vintage lens telephoto prime for that one! Vintage lenses are quite cheap…but be warned once you start it’s hard to stop buying them! But a great way to try out new focal lengths on a budget. You really need a mirrorless camera to get best out of them on digital tho.

[@ImitativePhotography]

@@gregwill500 Yep that's the plan! I'll be testing out a Pentax 135 mm and the Helios 58 mm 44-2, two of my go-to lenses for video.

[@gregwill500]

@@ImitativePhotography nice :)

[@okyeabuddyguy]

The fact that you didn't skip bruce gilden shows that you have an insane level of commitment to this series. Great upload :D Great shots. I think that B&W is pivotal to Gildens images and also, that he surprises people. The expressions and sense of shock are of course a huge part of what makes his photos captivating as a viewer as we attempt to interpret both the act of the photographer and the reaction and feeling of the subject. It's very meta in that sense. But I agree there's definitely a moral conundrum inherent to his work and as you said at the end, you took from his technique and made it your own.

[@EncresStylosPlumes]

Have been looking to Bruce Gilden work for a couple a month and bought a small flash to try out his style in 2023. Even I don't agree with the way he jumps on people there are a couple of interesting shots. Thank you for the video perfect timing for me. Happy new year mate

[@paulappleby2729]

Fantastic video, I can understand how apprehensive you must have felt preparing, just looking at Bruce's work makes me nervous 😀Your shots were great, and very immersive 😎👍

[@juanisimo7]

Your voice reminds me of Pedro Pascal 😂 Great content btw. I'm learning a lot, so thanks! cheers from Argentina

[@ImitativePhotography]

Haha cheers!

[@guyo68]

You're not alone. Sounds EXACTLY like Pedro Pascal.

[@arneheeringa96]

And your accent sounds a bit northern English/Scottish.

[@dridar35]

Amazing video, I loved how you described every step and detail. Respect, it really takes some guts to do this

[@Boues91]

Thank you so much for this wonderful series of analysing and trying out styles of famous photographers. Also that you show the inspiration ands imitation at the end is very valuable to me. All these icons of photography have a different way of looking - of course I don‘t want to copy them. Your series help me to understand, how I see and to discover my point of view. All the best for your career!

[@ChrisBrogan]

Oh my gosh. My anxiety. I'm already a super introverted person. I watched this and found myself holding my breath over and over. Holy cats.

[@letd5053]

so good video, thank you dude!! I admire the work of Gilden

[@timsinclair81]

this is a superb video, mate! lovely work too! Tx

[@bardofhighrenown]

That is perhaps the greatest training montage I have ever seen.

[@ahmedmabdi94]

This is such a great video, thanks for the laugh's and insight you have got some real courage to do this and the thoroughness of your research is really impressive, happily subscribed.

[@bwc1976]

This went a lot better than I expected! You obviously put a lot of thought into how and when you were going to do this and finding a situation where you would feel comfortable and safe doing it.

[@bobsyeruncle4841]

Gilden is a photo pro with balls of steel

[@rastavip]

Really cool videos man ! And also with good humour! Love it ! Congrats!

[@BrandonLibby]

Excellent work as always. This is one of the best production-wise. Loved it! Happy holidays!

[@ImitativePhotography]

Happy holidays to you too!

[@joncothranphotography9375]

That's cool! I use that style of photography with every event that I do. I had no idea that it was made famous by Gilden. Thanks for the great information!

[@RostykMakushak]

Great video! You put so much effort into this project. Kudos to you for doing that! It was worth it (despite what some people say in comments). Btw glad that Argentina won the World Cup! :)

[@ImitativePhotography]

Thanks!

[@maxdmn99]

Very analytical and fun video to watch, enjoyed every second :D

[@thethreeislands]

Amazing video. I came here to see how you handled Bruce's style and left knowing a lot more about flash photography as well

[@urbanimage]

Interesting video. I was highly amused to see that you used a clip from my video at 10:03 of Bruce Gilden taking pictures on Oxford Street back in 2011. I had quite an interesting conversation with him. He was quite taken with my newly bought Fujifilm X10 that I had with me. He used it to take a couple of people shots, and was quite impressed with the results, as was I.

[@ImitativePhotography]

It's a great video! It's always interesting to see how he works outside of Manhattan.

[@123ipittythefool]

this is amazing

[@aiiaznsk8er]

Bravo, the training montage is amazing.

[@stevegodsell]

Really brave attempt and great video. The trouble is, Gilden is a good photographer when he's not inserting a camera and flash up someone's left nostril. Can't help thinking that if he wasn't aggressively invading people's space, would he be so famous, would his work be so acclaimed? Is the greatness that a few attach to him due to his method rather than his output?

[@wullieg7269]

he,s a bit martin parr

[@skbche]

As an Argentinean this video makes me happy!

[@Eukdbgdg]

hahaha, I love your content。 It helps me find some new ideas too. Thank you and please keep upload more.

[@tonydesarzec907]

Great video. Thank you!

[@Rusty1995_]

A lot of people dislike but a lot of people don’t understand. Bruce was one of the most pleasant photographers Iv spoken with.

[@JohnDeLaPierre]

I really appreciate the lengths you go to for this series. The fact that you are able to push yourself to try styles I would never do. But the main reason I am here to comment is for the Phill, Modern Family quote: "Slow is smooth and smooth is fast" :)

[@ritosuckerino6763]

best photography channel by far. please never stop. I just found your work today.

[@michaelchrist4297]

I really appreciate your series! It helps to learn the techniques and it is very informative! Thx again and I hope for more! Thx!

[@ImitativePhotography]

More to come!

[@schwipsy]

i dont know how i missed this video since i have notifications on! nice video as always, and as an argentinian, it's a surprise to see this

[@andrev6275]

I love your channel! I learned about photographers that I never knew and their fantastic job! Thank you very much!

[@Termidryna]

Thanks, very useful video.

[@MattWyattMedia]

Enjoyed this. Nice storytelling, too. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@derqueue]

I used this technique on the dancefloor of the the last wedding i attended. It's great for capturing the energy of people celebrating. Also slow is smooth, smooth is fast 👌

[@gsus3918]

Most of us just take photographs. Bruce steals them in a way that I don't have the balls to do.

[@sampledude8846]

Ha ha ha, I laughed so hard at the intro.

[@fvillalba9571]

Good job! I like the structure of your videos. After analyzing the work of great photographers you try to replicate their techniques. Thy are really informative and interesting.

[@gsus3918]

9:00 This was gold. Great work!

[@flickofthefinger3711]

Fair play for doing this. I personally couldn’t do it. 👏🏻👏🏻

[@MultiThunder1234]

If I was doing this I wouldn't worry so much about my shutter speed, I would use the flash duration to freeze my subject, I will only mess with my aperture to determine how much of the bg I want to see but this is situational, a lot of party /night event photographers use this technique so I wouldn't say that it's a Bruce Gilden thing especially if you delve into paparazzi shots from the 40s to 60s some of them were using an off camera flash because the flash bulb holders on the old bodies were flimsy and used to break off.

[@brianhall8585]

It seems that most if not all the subjects you chose looked cooperative due their happiness of the result. I prefer this approach to that of Gilden who imposes far more.

[@patrickbarks997]

Fantastic shots during that event, street photography really is something else but much harder than it looks.

[@etiennededurocher]

Great video🎉😂❤

[@RicardoMendesTalks]

Well done video! Nice to see Toronto street photography ◡̈

[@jakeunited9478]

Love your channel!!!

[@arnabbiswas1324]

This is called quality content❤

[@lotadot]

Bruce Gilden's weird style of surveillance photography is quite hilarious and very confronting.

[@MrGiannijazz]

Te sigo de hace rato...que sorpresa saber que sos argentino! gracias por tus videos! saludos de un fotógrafo principiante Catatino desde Barcelona!

[@ImitativePhotography]

Que grande, saludos a la distancia! Vi que tuvieron unos festejos tremendos en Barcelona también.

[@davidlan5698]

Saludos de otro chino-latino. Por medio de Bolivia, creci en España y tambien vbivi en BA. Saludos y sigue con este buen trabajo. Mucho talento!! Un dia de estos te van a imitar a ti.

[@scotland_from_up_high7440]

This video is a masterpiece

[@belldragneel8381]

That was on epic training arc.

[@stephenspiteri_zunkus]

I’m not a fan of his work as I feel that he exploits people, but there’s still things to learn from his approach. I do like the candid feel and in your situation where people are celebrating and happy they’re also happy to be photographed. I know you tried to emulate his style but for your situation you could have used an nd filter to allow more background movement and used on camera flash for better maneuverability and less hassle. I’ll give this a try on the next outdoor event and see how it goes.

[@Adrian-wd4rn]

every photographer exploits people, my guy.

[@noamoster6417]

what an original take @@Adrian-wd4rn

[@skbche]

Muy buen video boludo!!! buenísimo este canal!

[@ImitativePhotography]

Jaja gracias!

[@AGUniko]

Amazing work! Amazing research, and Aguante Argentina Carajo!

[@Highvibethings]

I got chills when you started speaking with a trini accent! So unexpected. I'm a fan now fuh real!

[@ImitativePhotography]

🤣

[@peterpresentspeter6713]

Bruce is the guy everybody hates, but secretly wishes they had the balls to do what he does. And frankly, his photos look really cool.

[@patriciabonanno950]

Argentina... you wouldn't understand, thanks for this video, super illustrative, I like your work.

[@RevJock]

Thanks a lot for this video : very well made and interesting 😊 Street is my favourite genre but I don't have balls of steel like Bruce, or yourself 😅

[@fotosfcamacho]

Gracias Señor!!! estoy enganchado a tus videos!! Buen trabajo!!

[@oskedormindo]

Good video. When people are in festival, they are happy, so there is less possibility to happen trouble. If you take on the street like Gilden, it will happen more trouble.

[@GastonShutters]

Muchachoooooos hoy nos volvimos a ilusionar!!!! 🥲😭 warm regards from an Argentinisn with a photography KZbin channel. Awesome episode.

[@ImitativePhotography]

Que grande, saludos!

[@husnuwafa9185]

nah man this is too cool oh my god

[@jon_galfarsoro]

Excelente vídeo , casi sentía la misma ansiedad a la hora de tomar las fotos en la celebración de los Argentinos, enhorabuena!

[@ImitativePhotography]

Gracias!

[@artistwithcameras]

The best channel on photographers.

[@jvieiraxtube]

It was challenging!

[@ballhockey10]

Great YT series! Dougie Wallace is another photographer using this technique. He hangs around the high-end Harrod's department store in London and captures some of the characters seen there.

[@ssilanes]

Qué grande! Maestro! Vengo maratoneando con el video de Olga Karlovac, después el de Moriyama y nunca me imaginé que el video de Bruce Gilden iba a terminar con esta fiesta! Me tocaste el corazón capo!

[@ImitativePhotography]

Jajaja que grande!

[@chadluechoy2118]

Ey just saying hi while watching this video in Trinidad and hearing you spent time here. I just watched your Saul Leiter video and now dangerously perched to slide down a rabbit hole.

[@ImitativePhotography]

Ey nice to see Trinis in the comments!

[@chadluechoy2118]

@@ImitativePhotography yuh know we like salt! Keep up the terrific work man. Really can see how this stretches your creative muscles and adds to your tool box. I’m inspired.

[@GoldenMusashi]

extremely underrated content

[@Juan-wo7zu]

Many seem to hate Gilden for his technique, but that’s the only way he’s going to capture the true emotions of those people.

[@walkingmanvideo9455]

You are a brave man. Attempting Gilden's style today in certain situations could be ......dangerous. Take care. Last week I was in Sydney taking some street shots and this lady aggressively pushed me and stuck her middle finger up, told me to f- off and was very aggressive cause she was across the intersection and was very upset that she thought I captured a photo of her. I won'tt lie, it did shake me up, I wasn't scared of her but more the thought that if she was 1 or 2 gang members or members of some corrupt outfit, the encounter could have proven worse.

[@lorenzorafael5617]

Que lindo palazo que te comiste hermano eh!!! Vengo de ver tu video de Giacomo y te vi tomando mate asi que me puse a ver el resto de tus videos. Sos crack, muchas gracias por tu contenido, lo veo hace tiempo sin saber de donde eras, pero gracias a ellos me termine comprando una camara para poder experimentar un poco en Buenos Aires. Saludos de un santiagueño perdido en capital

[@ImitativePhotography]

Jaja gracias! Suerte con la fotografía en Buenos Aires. Ahora estoy editando unos videos de unas vacaciones que pasé en Chile.

[@Budkalings]

Muy bueno. Intenté varias veces este tipo de fotos y siempre fallo. Hay un componente de violencia -mínima- en las fotos de Gilden que nunca llego o quiero alcanzar. Siempre sonrío, agradezco o pido disculpas. Felicitaciones campeón!!!

[@byyrd2194]

I watched a few of your videos and heard you say you spend a significant amount of time in Trinidad, and then a tiny trini accent came out 😂. Love these videos from a fellow Trinidadian ❤.

[@ImitativePhotography]

😂😂😂

[@westdk6705]

He is Ice Cold 😁!!

[@nahueljo]

qué?? sos argentino??? te sigo hace un montón! nunca me imaginé! Excelente como siempre, amo tus análisis iniciales de las obras y tus intentos de tomar inspiración son geniales!

[@ImitativePhotography]

Jajaja siii

[@mattbray_studio]

I think one of the main aspects of Bruce's work is the look of shock and/or anger that comes from the aggressive way he sticks the camera and flash in peoples faces, also they are super well lit by the flash as it is so close. I don't think you managed to capture that as you were not doing it the way he does (no permission / invasion of space). I don't blame you though, I would love to try it but would never have the guts). What you did get however, some of them were great shots

[@augustcolumbo2574]

Loco me encanta tu canal saludos desde el viejo mundo

[@vladnickul]

An "eye of the tiger " training video montage works even better :)

[@BGTuyau]

Che, vos ... Esto es un vídeo super instructivo y útil para los fotógrafos de calle -aunque me hubiera gustado oir más comentarios sobre tus experiencias sacando fotos de esas celebraciones. Dicho todo eso ¡Buen trabajo!

[@ImitativePhotography]

Gracias y feliz año nuevo!

[@engelwyre]

Bruce Gilden's method makes me so incredibly uncomfortable but I have nothing but respect for his work. I enjoyed this video and the others I've been binging, great series, and the inspiration these uploads have provided has rekindled my interest in photography and shooting more. Maybe not shooting well, but more :P

[@danwongphoto]

Leica cameras have a flash sync speed of around 1/50th S

[@d.k.1394]

Nice

[@ChundomanX]

26:15 XD im very impressed that you speak spanish my friend!!! soy uno de tus mayores fans, tambien soy fotógrafo y vivo en toronto.

[@Iesous27]

I feel like this is "shock street photography"... he gets right in there and captures his subjects shocked face 😂 it's actually hilarious to be honest. I wouldn't be upset about this. I feel more creeped out about people who are photographing me in secret

[@ernest_cot]

Buen intento, con esto se ve que la tecnica de Bruce no es nada facil y que hay que pulirla con el tiempo.