3 videos about street photographers.

[alfredo]

The photographers are very agressive, but they catch the moments. I like the last guy the best.

Remember, the bit on the photographer doesn't appear until the 1:33 mark on the second video.


Here's the link to the Leica site containing the videos.

http://leicarumors.com/2010/10/21/would-you-dare-shoot-like-mark-cohen-or-bruce-gilden.aspx/

Maybe when the weather becomes less lethal, we can develop our street photographer chops and show our results here.

I like that they shoot in black and white. It seems appropriate for the subject.

[ManiacJoe]

1. I am surprised that they do not get

assaulted for their methods. Sticking a camera and flash in someone's face is just asking to get hit or pushed.
:shrug:

[alfredo]

4. It probably doesn't happen very much. Both guys are

totally in charge of the situation.

[Stevenmarc]

2. It looks like the use of the flash has less to do with exposure

and more to do with stunning the shit out of the person you're shooting. By the time they process what just happened they are halfway down the block and not inclined to beat the crap out of you.

[alfredo]

3. They seem to be controlling the encounter with the banter.

They really become like predatory animals when they see a subject. I liked when the photographer told them not to smile.

I do like the remote flash.

[Stevenmarc]

5. I didn't see a lot of banter with Bruce

He's tall and a bit imposing and has no problem with shoving himself into your personal space then he tazers you with the off camera flash. He didn't really banter to engage but more to deflect when it appeared one of his subjects called him on his confrontational style.

I have to agree with him on how NYC has changed, quite honestly there are days that I wish 42'nd street was less Disney and more hooker and junkie. The line I absolutely loved was "I have no ethics"

[alfredo]

6. I picked up on that too.

Second Ave in Nashville used to be a good place to people watch, now it has had the Disney treatment and no longer worth the time and effort.

[postatomic]

7. I don't care much for Gilden

His "What the Fuck!!??" snapshots just don't appeal to me. But, the guy has several books and sells lots of photographs so he must have a decent following.

At least Cohen takes in his surroundings, the street, when taking his photographs. Cohen is more of a street photographer to me. In my opinion.

Personally? I would confront a Gilden-ish photographer. I know that "legally" I don't have a case. If I'm on a public street I'm fair game for predators like him.

Thanks for the videos. And why wait for the weather to improve? I'd be up to doing some street photography. I wouldn't emulate Gilden or Cohen. I'd try to do something unique (if that's even possible these days).

[alfredo]

8. Around here we don't have a lot of foot traffic down town

even in the best of times. During the winter, there's even less to photograph.

I found Cohen to be rather creepy. I like Gilden's work more than Cohen's, but found both to be roaring assholes.

[postatomic]

12. Better weather would probably yield more opportunites

I didn't listen to the videos. Just watched and looked at the resulting photos. I would not place either in my list of short list of 'favorite' photographers.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

9. they are both creeps, Gilden is original

Cohen ripped off his style without his eye.

Gilden also takes other photos, the street stuff is his hobby

[postatomic]

13. I really don't know much about Photographers

I only follow a very few. Those that will actually respond to my emails. I had never even heard of Gilden till I saw the video. Did a quick google. That's about it.

[Stevenmarc]

10. Another Gilden interview

http://www.art16x9.com/index.php?id=bruce

[alfredo]

11. If it isn't good enough, you aren't close enough.

That's the best line of the video.