What Makes a Good Street Photograph? - Take it or Leave it with Bruce Gilden

Рет қаралды 711,859

9 жыл бұрын

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Meet Bruce Gilden. He's one of our favorite Magnum photographers, and in case you're clueless, he won a Guggenheim Fellowship this past year and is known to be one of the badassest badasses in the business. When we asked him to film a new show, he agreed on the terms that it wouldn't suck and, if it did, we'd let him sock us in the face.
This is Take It or Leave It with Bruce Gilden, a photo-critique series in which Bruce tells up-and-coming photographers if their work is transcendent, total crap, or somewhere in between. In our second episode, he takes on the world of street photography.
Check out Bruce Gilden's feature for the VICE Photo Issue: bit.ly/1vvdOAS
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Пікірлер: 798

@tracephoto1823 4 жыл бұрын

The one thing I took away from this was, “this photograph doesn’t make me ask what’s going on”. Always a good benchmark when taking/creating a photograph.

@johngastaldo6419 Жыл бұрын

Not to be confused with taking too much time to figure out what the photographer was thinking and why he/she/they included it.

@Chiefmismaker 5 ай бұрын

The so called "Why?"

@willw8463 8 жыл бұрын

Although this guy is brutal with his criticism, it was very constructive to the way I now see photos

@alexklaskaris 4 жыл бұрын

SarkyBegger oh hush

@puj5859 3 жыл бұрын

Lol. Classic Gilden

@user-jm7se9cf3u Жыл бұрын

We need more people like this in the arts. Highly critical of the art because today society is obsessed with everything is good

@IVMTAB Жыл бұрын

Side effects of toxic positivity

@frozentrollgaming1961 Жыл бұрын

damn american people doesn't even know wtf is "respect" anymore, keep that "i don't give a F" attitude you children will love it👍

@PlutoTheGod Жыл бұрын

For real, art is subjective but 90% of photographers today have nothing unique to show and no unique perspective / techniques of their own. They get a nice quality camera and take pics of the most square ass ideas imaginable.

@Moodboard39 Жыл бұрын

@@PlutoTheGod they in money only no creativity

@GS-vb3zn 5 ай бұрын

“…is obsessed with everything is good” & “…they in money…” yah, ok, geniuses.

@bennytroung 8 жыл бұрын

Quit hating on the guy. Honest criticism is way more valuable than empty compliments.

@MKETSHOW117 7 жыл бұрын

it was for a large part empty hate, worse than empty compliments

@bennytroung 7 жыл бұрын

How do you figure? I feel like he explained the reasons for his criticisms and they all seemed pretty valid. Maybe there's something to be desired in his delivery and tone but I don't think he said anything outright hateful.

@MKETSHOW117 7 жыл бұрын

The part where he talks about the photograph with the kid with a gun to his head. First he uses a useless quote that has nothing to do with what he is talking about (the only thing it has in common is that it happened in the past). Then he starts talking about the composition but doesn`t say what makes it better, just that it does. Then he says "you have to do better", that could mean that you have to do better than the original. That still doesn`t give any solid critique, it is however a helpfull tip.

@MKETSHOW117 7 жыл бұрын

overall he just felt like a big showoff.

@bennytroung 7 жыл бұрын

You have a point. I feel like him being from Brooklyn has a lot to do with his directness too.

@cobNE22 9 жыл бұрын

Did that piece of string on the pencil annoy anyone else or am I going mad?

@themawnz 9 жыл бұрын

You're not going mad, It drove me crazy too.

@mollywatch 9 жыл бұрын

Get that man a sharpie. *Please.*

@erfahnh7127 9 жыл бұрын

LOL

@grunertee3930 9 жыл бұрын

I nearly stoped watching the video.

@_digi 9 жыл бұрын

Got me seriously mad

@Monkeyabroad 9 жыл бұрын

This guy is the inspiration behind Peter Parker's editor-employer in Spiderman.

@hoill 9 жыл бұрын

J. Jonah Jameson

@alexvlogs8653 8 жыл бұрын

True

@Person-lk1vs Жыл бұрын

bro doesn't know JJJ

@Moodboard39 Жыл бұрын

😂😂 50 bucks

@calahad 9 жыл бұрын

95% of what he says is pretty accurate and any person who spent several years taking photos and gave it any more attention beyond just pushing the trigger button would understand. All the haters here who are just expressing their own fears and/or don't have the balls to shoot decent street are ridiculous. Street photography IS one of the hardest to do. That's why his criticism is harsh as well.

@asdf42100 8 жыл бұрын

+calahad oh jeea jea jep , hes harsh but right, but also weak photo-collection from vice.

@quirkypurple 6 жыл бұрын

Well said.

@csorgotom 3 жыл бұрын

I would say street photography is the easiest to do, but the hardest to do well

@Moodboard39 Жыл бұрын

@@csorgotom hmm

@MentodayAt Ай бұрын

8 years later and throughout different endeavours this comment still holds true. The biggest critics are the one who don't even take action.

@Ndo01 9 жыл бұрын

The story he makes up about the people on the beach is hilarious.

@vicas3334 Жыл бұрын

damn a longer version of this would be a dream

@Moodboard39 Жыл бұрын

Short

@nambu1306 11 ай бұрын

@@Moodboard39suckmywewy

3 ай бұрын

Agreed. I could watch this for hours

@antoinebernard8 8 жыл бұрын

Everyone talking about his analyze but what bother me the most is his pencil

@ItaiJamshy 8 жыл бұрын

I can't take it

@MrChapu87 8 жыл бұрын

OH MY GOOOD!!! PLEASE!! Get the f**k off that thing... even in the shadow, even with this flex behavior

@CardboardFortress 8 жыл бұрын

I think its a grease pencil, they're used for a bunch of art stuff

@alexklaskaris 4 жыл бұрын

All the comments are about the pencil

@zethabney3856 9 жыл бұрын

says he didn't like the apple but then it leads him to a like two minute long analysis thats all deep and prophetic...

@alexklaskaris 4 жыл бұрын

Zeth Abney I get the feeling he can talk about anything

@emiliocabra331 8 жыл бұрын

People if you can't take honest critisism and are offended by everything, photgraphy isn't for you... or anything for that matter

@AV-wx9rm 8 жыл бұрын

keep in mind. how you shoot is different from someone else. so why go by how this guy THINKS?

@thai2go 7 жыл бұрын

Mmmm... me think you still have a lot to learn son.

@AV-wx9rm 7 жыл бұрын

nono oh really? and who the hell are you to say about someones opinions and views?

@thai2go 7 жыл бұрын

I am giving my opinion on someone opinion... duh If you take so badly criticism... well you still a lot to learn my friend!

@CYBERDECIMAL 7 жыл бұрын

Emilio your profile picture is terrible and out of focus.

@sonomama82 9 жыл бұрын

"look at us Americans. aren't we ignorant?"

@RoscottProduction 8 жыл бұрын

+sonomama82 Thanks for the subtitles, I'm watching this without sound.

@sonomama82 8 жыл бұрын

+Roscott Production thanks for posting the same comment twice. I wasn't sure if you were being sarcastic the first time.

@2yoyodog 5 жыл бұрын

...yes, he is..ignorant?..well, maybe just arrogant!

@TheMrWoe 6 жыл бұрын

the analyze of the photograph with that apple in it was amazing..

@repairdrive 9 жыл бұрын

As a photographer I say this series is GREAT!

@adhyawhan 8 жыл бұрын

it's not easy to take a street photograph, we should appreciate every struggle that was made to take this kind of photograph

@red2lucas 7 жыл бұрын

The string on his pencil is driving me nuts

@Andrew-kk2ry 7 жыл бұрын

Chris Lucas Yes!!! I must have missed half the video looking at that instead of the photos.

@LBenjamin 7 жыл бұрын

Chris Lucas I scrolled down here knowing this would be one of the top comments. It's driving me nuts too!! I can't take my eyes off the damn pencil!!!

@M461Cfs 6 жыл бұрын

It's the way they peel the pencil for more tip

@mohelism 6 жыл бұрын

so true...

@yashwinning 7 жыл бұрын

At first I thought he was just a pretentious fuck who thought every photograph sucked except his own but the more the video went on the more he made sense. Sure he was a bit too brutal but that's only because the dude's been exposed to excellence pretty much his whole life, so when he looks at a picture people like us would think is good, he'll only find mistakes. But his insight was still very informative.

@distastefulvideos 9 жыл бұрын

I like Bruce Gilden. He knows photography and knows how to convey constructive criticism in what can be a very subjective field.

@katherineclara01 2 жыл бұрын

As a photographer trying to shift for editorial portraits to street photography this is very helpful! Honestly this is the kind of critique that I look for!!

@VICE 9 жыл бұрын

In our second episode, Bruce Gilden takes on the world of street photography.

@Farfetchd. 9 жыл бұрын

These are absolutely great! I really hope to see some more of these.

@mariamelliott6358 9 жыл бұрын

Ah you guys :3 I get home from a crazy 8hr shift behind the bar (in heels might i add) & I find this in my subscription box, haven't even watched it yet but fucking thankyou! Cannot get enough of Picture Perfect & all that good stuff :) legends xxxxxx

@redpuds 9 жыл бұрын

i want moaaarrrr

@Red83ua 9 жыл бұрын

We need more!

@iii-ei5cv 6 жыл бұрын

My freshman English professor was like this... rapid-fire critique that people didn't take well but the reality was that he had a lot to get across to us, and he absolutely knew what he was talking about. The accent makes it a bit more grating than it actually is

@magical571 9 жыл бұрын

lol, on petapixel they called it blunt and honest, but he sounds just like any art professor. that's not rough xD he is just spot on, as any professional should.

@yellowSmileyFacee 9 жыл бұрын

I'm actually learning from this. It's entertaining as well.

@adriansteele5679 8 жыл бұрын

The string in the pencil is pulled back to sharpen the nib, it pulls back the wood to reveal more graphite. They give them to you on planes

@choccomonde 4 жыл бұрын

Learned so much man. Sometimes people praise or denounce my works, because of details but before hearing him I never knew what they were talking about. good job, thanks

@frankiegamer2984 9 жыл бұрын

I really am enjoying this series and I hope there's a lot more to come. Helpful to me who wants to become a professional photographer. Thank you Vice.

@satya430 8 жыл бұрын

Being an amateur street photographer, I totally agree on his points about composition and other photographic thumb rules. Having said that I do not agree with his comment on the photo with a fellow holing the gun to his friend in a very jovial way, it is a good photo and makes the viewer concoct a story in his/her head. The fact that someone else has already taken a similar photo should not have to lower it's value .

@emiliocabra331 8 жыл бұрын

I think it does, I mean, what would you think if someone made another Mona Lisa?! If you're trying to make art, you have to be original

@JohanEssenceExplorer 6 жыл бұрын

That picture is boring simple as that.

@zero4hunnit236 5 жыл бұрын

That picture was boring and unoriginal. In fact I think Gilden was actually being polite in a way when he made the "presumption" that the photographer must've "not learned from history" that the shot was already "done" ala William Klein.... everybody knows that was a William Klein RIP OFF.

@kannonfps 3 жыл бұрын

it's not because someone is jovial that it's a good picture ... the composition is off , the dead space kill the photo , it could have been a way more interesting shot than what we've seen , tetra hedron , not everybody , i didnt knew that and you know why ? cause i didnt study a lot of master (yes i'm a retard,but i work on that) depending on how you approach the photography world you might not study anybody for the entire time , or study everybody , just depend on what is your approach and what you wanna learn etc

@Moodboard39 Жыл бұрын

@@JohanEssenceExplorer lol

@nmsunrise 8 жыл бұрын

There was some constructive criticism which was good but a majority of it was just ripping into how terrible - he thinks - these photos are. pretty pretentious if you ask me.

@Contest4Freedom 8 жыл бұрын

Honesty hurts, deal with it.

@gaborbanko4037 8 жыл бұрын

+Robert Jacobson none of it was pretentious at all. most of these images were pretty mediocre.

@rogeresposito9675 8 жыл бұрын

Bruce Gilden's pictures are pretty mediocre too

@gaborbanko4037 8 жыл бұрын

Walktherails find yourself another hobby.

@rogeresposito9675 8 жыл бұрын

+Gábor Bankó What do you even mean by that?

@JordanReynoldsx 9 жыл бұрын

This is a great series you got going. Please keep it coming.

@sambulleit6191 6 жыл бұрын

Holy moly. Honestly, there was so much valuable information packed into those very short ten minutes. Brutal, but the man's worth listening to.

@mikegomezfilms 10 ай бұрын

Everything he said was on point and just makes me reflect on how terrible my own work is. Wish I had a true master like Bruce critique my work just once!

@dinosaurfilms7425 9 жыл бұрын

Poison apple, huh? I think this guys brain went mush from watching Snow White one to many times.

@pointlessneedle10 9 жыл бұрын

Lol .....

@alexklaskaris 4 жыл бұрын

Who are you?

@davidcottam7431 4 жыл бұрын

Really enjoyed this. Wish it was longer. Might be brutal but that's the best way to learn. Anyone know if there are any similar clips?

@johnkraemer5505 8 жыл бұрын

I enjoyed the video! I liked hearing what Bruce had to say about the different pics! After hearing Bruce's feedback, it makes me think a little bit different about the photos and my own photos. Keep it up!

@palad1ncz 9 жыл бұрын

so refreshing! honest photo reviews from experienced photographer.

@GlennnD 7 жыл бұрын

I like his directness. No bullshitting and straight from the heart.

@DenisLiang 8 жыл бұрын

really insightful. Its always cool to see experts critique. Although you should still take everything with a pinch of salt

@walperstyle 9 жыл бұрын

He has good points, but hes just another photographer that is so ignorant toward other peoples work. Maybe its not his fault, maybe its the fault of people looking for his approval in the first place. Take pictures because you want to, and not because you have to. Catch life as it is.

@walperstyle 9 жыл бұрын

I do it because I like to. I've gotten many used in print as well. I don't make a living off of it. Way less stressful when you just do it without having to worry about paying rent.

@kielsee5191 8 жыл бұрын

+walperstyle he was assigned to critique and thats what hes doing.

@walperstyle 8 жыл бұрын

Kiel, some people feel it makes them sound important if they can openly judge others. The funny thing is, with all art/photography/engineering, some people will hate, while other will absolutely love it.

@MrPhotographerDude 7 жыл бұрын

Walperstyle supposed like any crappy photo? You think every photo deserves recognition? LOL!

@TheColourAwesomer 7 жыл бұрын

Nobody's forcing you to take well thought though photographs. Critic is excellently important to flesh out what makes your photos good, how to flesh them out and get rid of the things that didn't make the picture work. Critic helps to narrow down what it exactly is you want to take a picture of. Bruce Gilden is not just another photographer. He has valuable experience which is worth listening to if you appreciate the canon of photography.

@mentalbriefcase 9 жыл бұрын

Great series, Vice! I do photography as a hobby and I'm learning a lot while smiling. :-)

@dk038967 9 жыл бұрын

this guy knows his stuff and is very funny. more please

@RevJock 8 жыл бұрын

Excellent! I could listen to Bruce all day long :-)

@ondrejpavelka2179 2 жыл бұрын

Me too but i wouldnt let him see my photos 😂

@EL3IMAGERY 9 жыл бұрын

"who cares about her chin" hahahahahaha im dead

@crwn_munkz 3 жыл бұрын

We need more of this with Bruce!!!

@evilwarlock 6 жыл бұрын

I could watch videos like this all day. Fantastic!

@marekeos 6 жыл бұрын

The apple photograph critique was awesome. Love this guy!

@benjaminjones8870 7 жыл бұрын

I don't particularly like the guy, but after checking his site out, I find his photos of people to be very strong. Having said that, his other stuff such as "foreclosures" is as mediocre as it gets, though I'm sure he would make up some intricate story for each picture to justify it's worth. And that's what I don't like. Anybody can make up a random story for an image, but if it's about narrative, the image should be telling you, not the other way around. Though I believe that interpretation and narrative are over-rated and abused to justify poor imagery, and a great photo can stand alone without any need to communicate a narrative at all.

@RAFSWRLD 7 жыл бұрын

Benjamin Jones A critique of a critique. You should start your own vice series.

@benjaminjones8870 7 жыл бұрын

Ralphstricks Bellend.

@oldlarry9234 4 жыл бұрын

Benjamin Jones - very well said, I agree 100% “A picture speaks a thousand words “

@kannonfps 3 жыл бұрын

i don't fully agree with you on the "a picture should talk by herself" pictures that make you wonder what the f is going on are really interesting , check daido moryiama if you havent already , i'm sure you won't like it since it appear that you are the type (at the time you made the comment) to look for perfection

@maxbashyrov5785 3 жыл бұрын

who are you and who cares about your opinion?

@javierruiz3356 9 жыл бұрын

lol Make more like these. I love hearing criticisms from great photographers

@chrisdonahue 6 жыл бұрын

i could listen to bruce critique work for hours haha

@Lucas3D 9 жыл бұрын

This was great thanks, I'd love more like this, thanks Vice x

@TrueTreeRadioNetwork 9 жыл бұрын

This dude is hilarious and smart, I'm laughing and learning at the same time.

@theworldthroughmyeye5003 7 жыл бұрын

"Look at us Americans. Aren't we ignorant?" Hahaha I love this dude

@ishaan211991 9 жыл бұрын

This was awesome. I want more of this. Although i must mention i was stoned watching this. And the scorcery tale was the best.

@minoltacollector9128 8 жыл бұрын

I love the perspective this guy gives me. I dont agree with everything he says and thats ok. You all don't need to get so worked up, its just criticism.

@Moodboard39 Жыл бұрын

Critique part of the business don't get butthurt about it...

@kevinge1088 7 жыл бұрын

why is there only 2 episode? I really need more

@richardhaw9757 9 жыл бұрын

i love this episode! more from bruce,please!

@TheMannuman 9 жыл бұрын

this is so inspiring, thank you Bruce Gilden!

@judyonzen 6 жыл бұрын

The best part this vd is the way he talked...truly...take or leave it...

@skyedog47 7 жыл бұрын

Yo that was super helpful. I just learned so much from this guy.

@dannynguyen8967 7 жыл бұрын

I found this to be very amusing even though I don't agree with some of his points or "interpretations." It's always great to hear honest opinion. More videos like this please :D

@Moodboard39 Жыл бұрын

Like what

@lilmichael212 2 ай бұрын

I need so much more of this!!! 😂

@joeldeakin2003 9 ай бұрын

Jose Raul Valencia got chewed up in this lmao

@SuperOldTramp 9 жыл бұрын

Hope to see a third episode !

@embassyoftoysoldier 9 жыл бұрын

bruce definitely reminded of my former drama composition teacher :D

@Cruiser203 9 жыл бұрын

flag in the background explains everything

@nikoszompolas6949 7 жыл бұрын

Fantastic, it's worth of two days workshop!

@antsunclesmedia 8 жыл бұрын

LOL that last bit "Who cares about under her chin?"

@noahgross 9 жыл бұрын

More! This guy is awesome~

@Louise-ki3yd 6 жыл бұрын

These are his own opinions on how the photos should be taken or how he’s used to taking the photos. Every photographer has their own way of taking photos and I personally like the way he ‘criticized’ these photos because of how honest he was.

@VeggeMight 9 жыл бұрын

This was great,more please Vice.

@iwander10noob71 6 жыл бұрын

That piece of string on the pencil!! The only thing my eyes have been following throughout the video

@T25de 9 жыл бұрын

that was fun. i could def watch him go over a large stack of photos

@proto35 8 жыл бұрын

what an amazing critique

@Zecamilleo 3 жыл бұрын

I'm not a fan of everything in his body of work, but he is a master and knows his craft.

@layoverbear 6 жыл бұрын

Man, i love the Brooklyn accent. I really like ho w direct he is, he makes very good points. I also like the little stories he made up.

@guyo68 Жыл бұрын

This should've been ten times as long!

@zhbroder 9 жыл бұрын

note that baby boomers from brooklyn are probably the hardest people to please.

@alexklaskaris 4 жыл бұрын

zac that’s Bruce gilden not some random dickhead

@kannonfps 3 жыл бұрын

have you seen the same pictures ? cause he was right on most of it , at least i felt the same way for most of it

@dandykaufman2 7 жыл бұрын

Love that Jonathan Auch pic. Agreed with Gilden's dismissal of the rest of the photos.

@chuckboris9199 8 жыл бұрын

I would love to ee more of these, or art related videos in general

@superbikeaborad 8 жыл бұрын

Awesome concept and video!!

@brechtvanhoutte4925 7 жыл бұрын

Do another serie of these pleaseeee

@overtrist 9 жыл бұрын

I like this fella. He might just express his opinion - but his opinions are confident and he brings em across well while being entertaining.

@jeremoe1 5 жыл бұрын

The photo of the guy towards the beginning with the hat, is that the guy on Seinfeld, Kramer?

@J0s3ho0dlum 9 жыл бұрын

The one where the little boy hung himself, wheres that from? You can see it a couple times towards the end in the bottom left hand corner.

@kaichenghuang8888 8 жыл бұрын

great talk, pretty straight forward.

@baumsn 9 жыл бұрын

What is on the Pencil?? Drives me Crazy!! ps.: keep that series up

@heroesandcons09 9 жыл бұрын

Make more of these!

@JDKinsly 9 жыл бұрын

This has to happen much more frequently! There is no general idea of what a worth while photo is anymore so we are bombarded with billions of unfiltered junk. Everyone can take a never ending stream of photographs today, and our standards have become so low that they all seem to see the light of day.

@skatinbakin 9 жыл бұрын

Keep these coming

@kyto5125 3 жыл бұрын

he talks about street photography as if one has full control of position or telling strangers where to stand and what to do and it makes me want to try to challenge myself to do the impossible.

@mid20s 4 жыл бұрын

Nothing is better than an Italian New Yorker teaching me photography .!

@lee-jaynewman503 6 жыл бұрын

you know who you are and who do it, big respect Gildon

@nonechico Жыл бұрын

The best way to improve is knowing what is wrong with your photos.

@Suburb_hell 9 жыл бұрын

I like this series too being a photographer.

@RBTVN 9 жыл бұрын

Love it. More please!

@mclvstac 6 жыл бұрын

I instantly love this guy. he's hilariously honest.fuck yeah

@rikia.h9823 8 жыл бұрын

that string on his pencils makes me mad.

@eletor 9 жыл бұрын

MOAR!

@SHK.11 5 ай бұрын

Link of the full video?

@HumanJoseph 9 жыл бұрын

I was entertained and I am interested in seeing more. I also at times felt like I was listening to a mad man, but there were definitely some good points.