Fuji censored video of Tatsuo Suzuki, street photog

[jtk]

https://www.inputmag.com/features/tatsuo-suzuki-fujifilm-street-photography-controversy

see the video of him shooting and talking and his photos

Inputmag.com editorial comment:

"Even as a street photographer myself, I admit I found Suzuki’s style jarring. I was familiar with his work through his popular Instagram page, but hadn't put a lot of thought into how he went about getting those shots. For street photographers, it’s important to be aware of the power dynamic between a photographer and subject, and to try and minimize discomfort and exploitation whenever possible. Some photographers, like New Yorker Bruce Gilden, lean into that discomfort, attempting to provoke a response. While Suzuki does seek out interactions with his subjects, he isn’t nearly as aggressive as Gilden, who’s known for using flash and yelling at pedestrians."

 

[CMoore]

I saw this video a year or two ago.
This guy is playing with fire, for sure.


I am surprised nobody has cold-cocked bruce gildon.
He embodies all the worst attributes of being a street photographer And a New Yorker.

 

[fiddle]

Ive seen Gilden work a few times around the city. He's not what they portray in the videos you see online. He's actually very personable, talks a lot to people in general, very good at joking and distracting from the situation. The tough NYer thing is mostly on the videos you see.

 

[AgX]

Thank you for putting up that issue. However I found the term "censored" too far fetched.

 

[awty]

What ever floats your boat. This is when technique and brand become more important than the content.
Its pictures of passerby's, you are given no connection and nothing stays with you.

 

[AgX]

Its pictures of passerby's, you are given no connection and nothing stays with you.

Things turn different when the photographer becomes annoying.

(By the way, over here this likely will be of legal relevance too.)

 

[awty]

Things turn different when the photographer becomes annoying.

(By the way, over here this likely will be of legal relevance too.)

Legal or not he would get beaten if he used the same style in Australia, especially being small and Asian.
Lots of people embrace a similar style, I don't think it gives good results in the main. You need to have a great skill in knowing what to keep and what to discard. Over stylised becomes too easy to copy.

 

[warden]

Legal or not he would get beaten if he used the same style in Australia, especially being small and Asian.

Yep, in my town he would quickly transition from photographer to piñata. I imagine he needs to choose his neighborhoods carefully.

 

[awty]

Ive seen Gilden work a few times around the city. He's not what they portray in the videos you see online. He's actually very personable, talks a lot to people in general, very good at joking and distracting from the situation. The tough NYer thing is mostly on the videos you see.

To me his picture lack any Empathy, like taken by a psychopath, no connection with the human. Winogrand on the other hand chose pictures of people that you could connect with and imagine in real life without being judgmental, a skill that is largely missing with most modern street photographers.....that and any ability to compose.

 

[jtk]

He's into live theater, which is OK by me. He might enjoy connecting with that kind of group.

 

[NortheastPhotographic]

Unpopular opinion: street photography is dead dead dead.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

I'm not sure if I'm unusual in never having really 'done' street photography.

Tom

 

[radiant]

The butthurtism and internet rage is every time surprising

Usually those who rage the most have and will have nothing to do with the subject. Similar to Android user getting totally upset of Apple removing 3.5mm jack. Did not understand that either.

 

[CMoore]

....... the confrontational style is an attempt to break through the isolation of urban life. It's decidedly about trying to make a connection between the photographer and subject.
.

Do you think, perhaps, you are laying it on just a bit thick.?

 

[jtk]

Do you think, perhaps, you are laying it on just a bit thick.?

It's an interesting thought.

 

[jtk]

Legal or not he would get beaten if he used the same style in Australia, especially being small and Asian.
Lots of people embrace a similar style, I don't think it gives good results in the main. You need to have a great skill in knowing what to keep and what to discard. Over stylised becomes too easy to copy.

I don't care one way or another, but if anything is "over stylised" it's landscape photography with dramatic clouds .

 

[Marcelo Paniagua]

I'm not sure if I'm unusual in never having really 'done' street photography.

Tom

I've not done it either. Not my cup of tea. Not really see the allure of it and personally I see it as a way overrated photography genre.

Marcelo

 

[awty]

I don't care one way or another, but if anything is "over stylised" it's landscape photography with dramatic clouds .

I can find several people who have similar styles on Flickr and Instagram, don't have a problem with amateurs, doing good photography on the run is difficult, but I kind of expect more from a professional.
FWIW I rarely burn in clouds and only do so if I feel its necessary. I like the painter Russell Drysdale who was fond of dramatic skies so not adverse to it, provided its done well.

 

[awty]

Everyone interprets the same thing differently, but I think you're picking up on something that's intentional. A lot of street photography is about urban alienation, and the confrontational style is an attempt to break through the isolation of urban life. It's decidedly about trying to make a connection between the photographer and subject.

It's also a critique of the "invisible eye" or surveillance/voyeuristic style of photography where the ninja-like photographer ostensibly documents things objectively. If someone wants to punch him in the face, they can. He's not trying to hide what he's doing.

To clarify I was talking about Gildan with that comment and whether it's intended or not he seems to take away any human connection to his subjects. Which to me is an artform in itself, but not sure if I like. ......will ponder that one.

 

[Brendan Quirk]

I don't care one way or another, but if anything is "over stylised" it's landscape photography with dramatic clouds .

Don't forget the black skies at noon.

 

[awty]

Don't forget the black skies at noon.

Which series is this Brendan?

 

[Helios 1984]

The Japanese Bruce Gilden?