Bruce Gilden, known for his striking and close-up street photography, is a force in the world of contemporary photography. His work captures raw, unfiltered moments of human life with an unparalleled intensity. Gilden’s photography philosophy is deeply personal, shaped by his belief that photographers must reflect themselves in their work. Below, we’ll delve into some of his most iconic quotes, offering insight into his bold, unapologetic approach to the art of photography.
1. A Connection with Subjects
“I love the people I photograph. I mean, they’re my friends. I’ve never met most of them or I don’t know them at all, yet through my images I live with them.”
— Bruce Gilden
This quote captures Gilden’s connection to his subjects. Despite often photographing strangers, he forms a bond with them through the images he creates, showcasing his deep empathy and respect for the people who populate his work.
2. Closer with Age
“I’m known for taking pictures very close, and the older I get, the closer I get.”
— Bruce Gilden
Gilden is famous for his bold, in-your-face style of street photography. His approach involves getting physically close to his subjects, creating a sense of immediacy and intensity in his images.
3. Personal Reflection
“Photograph who you are.”
— Bruce Gilden
For Gilden, photography is a personal act. He encourages photographers to shoot what reflects their identity and interests, making the process of capturing an image a form of self-expression.
4. Mental Projection
“I’m photographing myself out there. Not myself physically, but mentally. It’s my take on the world.”
— Bruce Gilden
Gilden’s photographs are an extension of his personality and worldview. Each image he takes reflects how he perceives the world around him, making his work deeply personal and revealing.
5. Embracing Discomfort
“The only way to make good pictures is to push yourself out of your comfort zone.”
— Bruce Gilden
Gilden believes that to create truly great photographs, a photographer must take risks and push boundaries. Comfort leads to stagnation, while challenging oneself opens up new creative possibilities.
6. Slices of Life
“My pictures are slices of life.”
— Bruce Gilden
This simple yet profound statement encapsulates Gilden’s approach to photography. His images capture fleeting moments of life, offering a raw and honest glimpse into the world.
7. The Essence of Street
“If you can smell the street by looking at the photo, it’s a street photograph.”
— Bruce Gilden
For Gilden, street photography is about capturing the essence of a place. His images evoke the sensory experience of being on the street and among people.
8. Seeing the Invisible
“As Robert Frank wrote, ‘It’s important to see what’s invisible to others.’ If you don’t look at the things I look at, how can you help people?”
— Bruce Gilden
Gilden believes in seeing the world differently, focusing on details and moments that others might overlook. His photography brings attention to people and places often ignored or marginalized.
9. The Experience of Photography
“How can you really discuss street photography unless you do it?”
— Bruce Gilden
For Gilden, street photography isn’t something that can be theorized from a distance. It must be experienced firsthand, with the photographer immersed in the environment they’re capturing.
10. Seizing the Moment
“I put my vest on, I put the camera in the bag, and I go.”
— Bruce Gilden
This quote reflects Gilden’s straightforward approach to photography. For him, it’s about getting out there and taking pictures, seizing the moments as they come.
11. Self-Discovery
“Dig deep into yourself, try to see who you are, what your interests are, and then go out and try and photograph that.”
— Bruce Gilden
Gilden emphasizes self-awareness in photography. Knowing oneself is key to creating meaningful work that resonates not just with the photographer but with the audience as well.
12. The Power of Perseverance
“I’m definitely a bulldog. I think, to be a good photographer, you don’t have to be a genius. You have to persevere, and know who you are, and know what you want to say.”
— Bruce Gilden
Gilden’s success comes from his persistence and self-confidence. He stresses that perseverance, rather than inherent genius, is the key to becoming a good photographer.
13. Resilience in Photography
“To be a good photographer, you don’t have to be a genius. You have to persevere, know who you are and know what you want to say.”
— Bruce Gilden
This quote echoes Gilden’s belief in the importance of resilience. Photography, for him, is about hard work, self-awareness, and clarity of purpose.
14. Autobiographical Images
“All of my images are personal. They’re all about me. That’s who I know. And that’s what I’m interested in.”
— Bruce Gilden
Gilden’s work is deeply autobiographical. His photography reflects his inner thoughts, emotions, and experiences, making each image a window into his world.
15. The Importance of Angles
“Angles are very important to me. I like the indecisive moments and when candid pictures are too perfect, I find that it looks almost staged.”
— Bruce Gilden
Gilden’s fascination with angles and the unpredictability of candid moments is central to his photographic style. He values spontaneity and avoids images that look too polished or contrived.
Conclusion
Bruce Gilden’s approach to photography is fearless, personal, and uncompromising. He brings an emotional rawness and intensity to his work that few photographers can match. Through his quotes, we gain insight into his philosophy—photography is not just about taking pictures but about capturing the essence of life, confronting uncomfortable truths, and pushing both personal and creative boundaries. His work challenges us to see the world in new ways, and his words inspire photographers to dig deeper into themselves.
FAQs
- What is Bruce Gilden known for? Bruce Gilden is known for his close-up, candid street photography that captures raw and unfiltered moments of human life.
- How does Bruce Gilden approach street photography? Gilden’s approach involves getting physically close to his subjects, capturing them in spontaneous, often confrontational moments, to evoke an emotional response from the viewer.
- What makes Bruce Gilden’s photographs unique? Gilden’s ability to capture the intensity and immediacy of street life, combined with his bold use of flash and close-up framing, gives his photographs a distinctive style.
- What advice does Bruce Gilden give to aspiring photographers? Gilden advises photographers to “photograph who you are” and to push themselves out of their comfort zones to create meaningful, personal work.
- What is Bruce Gilden’s philosophy on capturing street photographs? Gilden believes that a good street photograph should evoke the feeling of being on the street. His goal is to capture the essence of life as it happens, unscripted and unfiltered.
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