You may have already have got your hands on a copy of Henry’s great new book, but for those who haven’t here’s a little taster…

New York City 1990 ©Bruce Gilden

ASSALT YOUR SUBJECTS

Bruce Gilden’s approach to photographing people on the street stands in complete opposition to Cartier-Bresson’s. With Gilden, it’s less a case of chancing upon a scene and much more about creating it for himself.

Attracted to New York’s oddballs and eccentrics, Gilden pounces on passers-by, hits them with a dizzying flash and snatches their picture like a mugger. That’s why these two characters look like they’ve been captured riding a rollercoaster rather than walking down Fifth Avenue!

ALLOW YOUR PERSONALITY TO FEED INTO YOUR PORTRAITS

Some prefer to prey on their unsuspecting subjects from afar – snipers. Others get closer and like to establish some kind of connection – undercover agents. Then there are those who dart in, shoot up close and make off – assassins.

Gilden thrives on the excitement of taking people by surprise. It’s what gets him up in the morning. It’s what gives him the motivation to keep shooting. Ultimately, it’s what makes his work so individual. By understanding who you are and what makes you tick, you’ll discover your own unique way of photographing others.

From Henry Carroll’s new book, ‘Read This If You Want To take Great Photographs Of People’, published by Laurence King and available to buy here!