Here's what I think – A great street photograph must elicit more than a quick glance and moment of recognition from the viewer. A sense of mystery and intrigue should remain. Give me a REASON to remember your photograph. As the great French street photographer Robert Doisneau (April 14, 1912 – April 1, 1994) commented: ‘If I knew how to take a good photograph, I’d do it every time.’
Nowadays, there are many street photogs out there. I have seen several thousands street shots, but for me, only one photographer stands out above the crowd. Meet Bruce Gilden, a noted street photographer, known for his uncompromising, in-your-face approach to street photography. A member of Magnum Photos since 1998, he shot images of Japan's Yakuza mobsters, the homeless, prostitutes, and members of bike gangs.
Bruce is an exceptionally talented photographer with an eye for fascinating moments and idiosyncratic details. And, I can tell you that he certainly is an inspiration! In a short documentary titled "Bruce Gilden - WNYC Street Photography Project.", he shares his successes, trials and tribulations in the photography industry. A highly recommended docu-film! Scroll down to watch.
Resources:
1. Click here to view images by Bruce Gilden, Magnum: SEE PHOTOS
2. Bruce Gilden in an exclusive interview with The British Journal of Photography: READ
It's time to announce The Weekly Photo Assignment, Theme 5 winners. The response has been encouraging and the overall quality of submissions had improved. Thank you to all of you for making it happen! A new theme will be announced soon.
Note:
The photos are now available for public view on A Malaysian Photo and Travel Blog Facebook iFrame tab. Look for ✓ Weekly Theme.
Bonus Download:
There's more! I would like to share with you not one but TWO illustrative e-books on Street Photography, written by renowned photog, Mr. Thomas Leuthard. These two E-BOOKS are A MUST for street photogs wannabe:
>> Going Candid (PDF, 96 pages, 10.9MB)
>> Collecting Souls (PDF, 99 pages, 8.15MB)
Title: The Street Preacher
Photographer: Nadly Aizat
What Alex Loke says - This section is no longer available. I encourage fans to visit the entries and make some comments. Click "View HI-RES" to read my critiques and comments. Thanks, peeps.
Title: Responsibilities
Photographer: Farhah Abdullah-Simard
What Farhah said "The photo, those memories is one of the happy time I had with my in law, before we're always going out 4 of us, everywhere except when we travelled overseas..... now, my mother in law just passed away due to cancer and my father in law too sick to going out..."
My reply "I'm sorry to hear of the passing of your mother-in-law, it's always a hard thing to go through. I wish you strength in dealing with this.
I know it is hard, but believe me, there is always hope. As much as possible, look into the bright side of everything. Send him my very best regards and wishing him a speedy recovery".
Note: Thanks for sharing, Farhah :)
Title: City streets at night.....
Title: Old Bike
Title: "济公" Iconic person of Kulim
Title: Kids Dance
Title: Untitled Photo
Title: Lord of The Rings
Title: Vegetable Heaven
Title: Wall of padlocks
Title: Untitled Photo
Photographer: Awang Kassim
What AK said "I always take notice on bad things first, and Kuala Lumpur has always aggravated me with her worst first. To my conservative thought; this is a sex city, also a city of churlish dwellers, a city full of irascible drivers, a city polluted with artificial sorrowful looking street beggars".
My reply "Unfortunately, the bad will often stick with us longer than the good. Kuala Lumpur? She's a city filled with inconsiderate drivers, constant traffic jams, materialistic peeps and boorish city slickers. The mounting pressure of modern living has taken its toll on many people's lives.
On the bright side, Kuala Lumpur is a city that never sleeps, so full of life every minute of the day. Thanks for sharing, AK. You picture depicts the her true character - busy, busy, busy".
Note: All copyrights belong to respective photographers.
WNYC Street Shots: Bruce Gilden
Last updated on October 21st, 2011 (5:41 p.m.)
Very interesting street shots!
Thanks for introduce these great photographers and their websites!
Very professional pics. When i look at pictures like those it gets me sad feeling sometimes. It is sad watching people suffering on the streets while there are so many people that have money they can never count. Anyway it is a great post.
I also love to take street shots and don't think camera is an issue. Its how you capture the moment and the end result.
Great shots.
I like the shot on kid dance, where you shot this photo?
wow! very stunning photos!
Interesting photos. Wish I had a high class camera to take shots like this. But then again, it's more of the photographer that the tool right?
I like those images in Black & White is very cool.
wow! very stunning photos!