A Bruce Gilden Moment

richardmanrichardman Registered Users Posts: 376 Major grins
edited January 14, 2012 in Street and Documentary
I'm sure everyone knows about Bruce and his getting up close and flash people in the face technique. Supposedly most people don't even notice, but it probably helps that Bruce is 6 foot tall or thereabout...

I was shooting in SF Chinatown today and at one point, I was changing film and I noticed that an older woman was talking on the cell phone. I was just thinking that she has an interesting face and wouldn't it be nice if... "POP" a tallish Asian guy just walked up to within a foot of her, raised a flash with his left hand, took a photo and then walked off.

A total Bruce Gilden moment and yes, indeed the old woman did not notice.

Still not something I would do though.
"Some People Drive, We Are Driven"
// richard <http://www.richardmanphoto.com&gt;
richardmanphoto on Facebook and Instagram

Comments

  • lensmolelensmole Registered Users Posts: 1,548 Major grins
    edited January 13, 2012
    I am not that brave shooting on the street, every time I see my shadow I think somebody is following me never mind using a flash, I could probably get a shot with flash of a drinking fountain if I approached it in a stealthy manner.:D

    Lensmole
    http://www.lensmolephotography.com/
  • Quincy TQuincy T Registered Users Posts: 1,090 Major grins
    edited January 14, 2012
    I honestly don't agree with this technique. It may yield interesting photography, but it's a little too invasive on another's personal space.
  • RSLRSL Registered Users Posts: 839 Major grins
    edited January 14, 2012
    It's amazing to me that Gilden is still alive.
    Russ Lewis
    www.FineArtSnaps.com
  • RichardRichard Administrators, Vanilla Admin Posts: 19,961 moderator
    edited January 14, 2012
    RSL wrote: »
    It's amazing to me that Gilden is still alive.
    Yeah, really. He takes "in your face" literally. Not one I could emulate but some of the images are terrific.
    My Pics
  • bfjrbfjr Registered Users Posts: 10,980 Major grins
    edited January 14, 2012
    Well like his style or not he sure is in/famous :D
    Benjamin
    My Galleries
    Flicker
    G+
  • richardmanrichardman Registered Users Posts: 376 Major grins
    edited January 14, 2012
    He is actually quite a good photographer and doesn't use flash like that all the time. For example, check out his latest work on Haiti, a year after.

    Prior to yesterday, I would have said that this technique only works in NYC, but obviously someone is channeling him in San Francisco :-) I am still replaying the sequence in my mind. It's almost like a dance (but could end up with a scuffle...)
    "Some People Drive, We Are Driven"
    // richard <http://www.richardmanphoto.com&gt;
    richardmanphoto on Facebook and Instagram
  • RSLRSL Registered Users Posts: 839 Major grins
    edited January 14, 2012
    Try it in Colorado Springs, but get ready to run.
    Russ Lewis
    www.FineArtSnaps.com
  • PattiPatti Registered Users Posts: 1,576 Major grins
    edited January 14, 2012
    Laughing.gif I can't imagine getting away with anything like that except in NYC. He's got cojones. I'll give him that.
    The use of a camera is similar to that of a knife. You can use it to peel potatoes, or carve a flute. ~ E. Kahlmeyer
    ... I'm still peeling potatoes.

    patti hinton photography
  • RSLRSL Registered Users Posts: 839 Major grins
    edited January 14, 2012
    If he keeps it up he may lose them.
    Russ Lewis
    www.FineArtSnaps.com
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