NSD 51/50 – Interview with Brice Gelot, Documentary and Street Photographer
Thank you, Brice, for this opportunity to know a little more about you and the magnificent work you have been doing! Could you please start by introducing yourself to our readers?
My name is Brice Gelot, also known as NSD 51/50, I am a french photographer. I was born in the city of Dijon, and I started photography in 2004.
RIGHT: Fuji X-T4 . Fuji XF23mmF2 . f/2.0 . 1/1700″ . ISO 320
RIGHT: Fuji X-T4 . Fuji XF23mmF2 . f/2.0 . 1/1250″ . ISO 320
We understand you started shooting almost 20 years ago with a Canon A-1 film SLR, right? What motivated you to pick up a camera and begin documenting the world around you at the time?
That’s correct, the Canon A-1 was my first camera, I learned photography as self-taught. I fell in love with black and white and street photography. Then year after year, I built myself, traveling and evolving into what photography are, the process of looking, observing, finding your subject, and walking from one street to another one, it’s addictive.
I show my vision on something that you might not have seen, I show the truth and what our real world looks like.
RIGHT: Fuji X-T4 . Fuji XF23mmF2 . f/2.0 . 1/3200″ . ISO 320
What were you photographing when you started, what motivated you to grab the camera and take a shot?
All my friends were into skateboarding, and I started to document it. I was rapidly working for the local skate shop, shooting international pro teams and brands such as Volcom Europe, Carhartt WIP…
RIGHT: Fuji X-T4 . Fuji XF23mmF2 . f/4.0 . 1/220″ . ISO 320
We noticed that you prefer to work on projects which can last from months/years to a lifetime. How do ideas for new projects come about? Could we say that the best source of inspiration comes from one’s own life experience?
It has come naturaly, as I don’t plan anything, most of my projects are connected together mostly around the street culture. I can take a few pictures and suddenly say, “oh, let’s create a project like this”. Those projects can evolve with time, like I do with life, I learn and improve, so yes, of course, the best source of inspiration comes from your life experience.
RIGHT: Fuji X-T4 . Fuji XF23mmF2 . f/2.0 . 1/20″ . ISO 3200
Generally, your projects involve photographing different local communities, like, for example, in “Real recognize Real”. Do you agree that for the success of any of your series, more important than technical skills are the social and communications skills?
Yes, in my project “Real recognize real”, I focus on portraits of tattooed people I cross my path with.
I defo agree with that, having technical skills are necessary, but communications skills are the most important, as without them, this project wouldn’t exist. And it’s also why I love my job as a photographer, it’s all about relationships and connections you will make.
RIGHT: Fuji X-T4 . Fuji XF23mmF2 . f/2.0 . 1/800″ . ISO 320
When did you switch from film to digital, and what is your current camera and lens setup?
I think I started to go for digital lil bit late. My first digital camera was also a Canon, I worked with 5D Mark II probably around 2008/2009, 5D Mark III around 2012. My current camera is a Fujifilm X-T4, first time working with a hybrid camera. As for the lens, I work 90% of the time in 23mm F2 Fujinon. Additionaly, I have a 50-140mm F2.8 Fujinon.
RIGHT: Fuji X-T4 . Fuji XF23mmF2 . f/2.0 . 1/2500″ . ISO 320
We found it interesting that you don’t try to correct any failure in a photograph using the computer, but rather learn from mistakes and do better next time. Could you elaborate on this subject and tell us more about your approach to photography?
I think I got this from my past when I learned photography with film. You take pictures, develop, learn from your mistakes, take pictures again, and so it goes… if I fail to take a picture, I fail, that’s it. In my opinion, when you make a mistake, there are only three things you should ever do about it: admit it, learn from it and don’t repeat it. You always learn from failure, not from success.
RIGHT: Fuji X-T4 . Fuji XF23mmF2 . f/2.2 . 1/90″ . ISO 320
Because a good photo opportunity comes at any time without warning, do you always bring your camera with you? Or, on the contrary, do you pick up the camera only when you leave home with the sole purpose of photographing?
I always have my camera ready with me, because, like you said, any opportunity can come at any time.
Although, of course, it’s not the camera that makes the photographer, how has the Fuji X-T4 been relevant in materializing your ideas into photographs?
I was looking to have the grain of film photography in my photographs but with the advantage of a digital camera. The hybrid cameras came out, and Fujifilm with their own film simulation recipe technology.
RIGHT: Fuji X-T4 . Fuji XF23mmF2 . f/2.0 . 1/60″ . ISO 160
RIGHT: Fuji X-T4 . Fuji XF23mmF2 . f/2.0 . 1/35″ . ISO 320
RIGHT: Fuji X-T4 . Fuji XF23mmF2 . f/2.0 . 1/5400″ . ISO 320
RIGHT: Fuji X-T4 . Fuji XF23mmF2 . f/2.0 . 1/1700″ . ISO 320
RIGHT: Fuji X-T4 . Fuji XF23mmF2 . f/2.0 . 1/3500″ . ISO 320
Brice Gelot, aka NSD51/50, is a french street photographer, globally known for is raw photographic style in black and white. Born and raised in Dijon, he has been shooting streets all around since 2004. He usually reflects the street, graffiti, tattoo culture, gangs and the dark side of our society.
michael kirk
January 27, 2023 @ 2:10 am
Would Cartier Bresson, Kertez, Gianni Gardin, and Doisneau would be cheering on Fuji X Passion for giving life to such a disgusting culture, to this ugliness. I doubt it. I think they’d be appalled. The photographer ? Would be better if the project didn’t exist. What good does it do ? So cool, so with it , so hip ? Sensationalizing , yes. At what cost? Is it great for younger generations to look up to this . Your magazine really should do some soul searching as to the value of this kind of coverage. Is there any comedy, irony, composition, compassion in the photographs. Any story ? Anything ? Maybe it should hang it in an art museum to further give a lift to society ? To elevate our being, to further our humanity..nope, its just more visual trash..thanks, but no thanks..
Miroslav Hlinka
January 27, 2023 @ 9:09 am
Photography in general has many directions and forms. The nice thing about it is that everyone can find what they like or don’t like.
Even photojournalism itself has many forms, themes, styles.
You mention Bresson, Kertez, Gardin, Doisneau… and although they are masters, they represent only a part of humanistic photography. Take for example Susan Meiselas, Antonin Kratochvil, James Nachtwey, Don McCullin, William Klein, their work takes a completely different path (even different paths within the same artist you can find different styles).
That someone photographs a specific community and someone doesn’t like it, it is absolutely OK.
But I might be careful in making clear judgements. The fact that something appeals or is disgusting to me is no guarantee of quality. Or that it should be take a pictures or not.
For a lot of things, time will tell. (I believe, Even among the time-honored authors you will surely find those you like to follow but also those whose work you don’t like)
Especially with photographers, I would expect them to keep an open mind.
Victor Maubembe
January 27, 2023 @ 9:42 am
Photography is a medium that allows for creativity and self-expression. It is important to remember that art and photography can be appreciated in different ways by different people, and that what may be considered “ugliness” by one person may be considered “beauty” by another. It is also worth noting that photography has the ability to capture and document important moments in history and culture.
Dustin
January 27, 2023 @ 1:35 pm
Brice Gelot is known for his work in photojournalism about gangs and street culture. He has made a name for himself in the photography world with his powerful and evocative images that capture the human experience in all its complexity. His work has been recognized globally, and he has been selected recently as one of the most influential photographers, alongside industry greats such as Steve McCurry.
For your information modern photography in 2023 is not only Cartier Bresson, Kertez, Gianni Gardin, and Doisneau…wake up Michael
Thomas M. Photography
January 28, 2023 @ 8:33 am
If like you said Cartier Bresson, Kertez, Gianni Gardin, and Doisneau was cheering on FujiXpassion they would probably laugh at your comment
Philip Sutton
January 31, 2023 @ 4:59 am
In reply to Michael. At a cursory glance, I actually agree with what you say – the ugliness, the depravity of that culture, the apparent ‘lost’ condition of the subjects – the seeming glorification of something so base and horrible – the list goes on. Also – there seems that little thought or effort may have gone into these pictures – almost just snapshots of random depravity. I’ve followed Steve McCurry for years, and looking at his images there seems to almost be a poetic grace that flows through all of them – not so here. However, having said all of that, there is a place for these images. I’ve shot photos amongst the homeless Indigenous close to where I live, and there is a real art in doing that and escaping with one’s life. Kudos to NSD51/50 – it has taken guts and a lifetime commitment to be able to shoot images like this. I do know from experience that the casual photographer of inexperienced, would not have been able to shoot these images without being assaulted or having their gear ‘confiscated’. One cannot underestimate the immeasurable time and energy that the author of these images has put into creating the foundation to be able to freely photograph within these fringe cultures. Well done and thanks for sharing images that may not appeal to all – but at least they have started a conversation that my lead into something worthwhile.
Daniel Paiva
January 27, 2023 @ 8:05 am
Michael I don’t think you do understand photojournalism and you probably also don’t understand what is art either, If you also have read carefully what the artist said he showed our world as it is and nothing else… Fuji X Passion doesn’t give life to this culture or like you said this “ugliness” this ugliness is sad to say it’s our world today, you should stop complaining or crying behind your computer and at least doing something.
Nathan Jose
January 27, 2023 @ 8:16 am
The only trash I can see here is you Michael Kirk
Paul M.
January 27, 2023 @ 10:51 am
To Michael Kirk : The value of a photograph should be determined by its ability to capture a moment, tell a story, or evoke emotions, rather than solely by personal opinion.
Freek
February 1, 2023 @ 6:46 am
Well, I’m picking up my 23 f2 again thanks to this series.
Albert Smith
February 1, 2023 @ 2:55 pm
Exactly my thought too. The 23mm f/2 was my first Fujifilm lens but it’s been put away in favor of some new glass, apparently not better, just newer.
This series has reminded me how effective that little Fujicron can be.
Danny
February 4, 2023 @ 4:20 pm
love your work