Today we’d like to introduce you to Brice Gelot.
Hi Brice, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a French self-taught photographer known for documenting the street culture.
As a photojournalist, my main objective is to capture the essence of street life through my unique and distinct perspective. I strive to showcase the gritty reality of life on the streets, shedding light on the marginalized members of society and the challenges they face on a daily basis.
Through my work, I seek to inspire empathy and understanding for those who often go unnoticed or ignored. I aim to challenge the viewer’s preconceptions and highlight the resilience and strength of those who persevere in the face of adversity. Ultimately, my passion for photojournalism is driven by the belief that images can be a powerful tool for social change and can facilitate important conversations about the most pressing issues of our time and raise awareness, educate, promote intercultural dialogue by highlighting the differences between the cultures and lifestyles of disadvantaged neighborhoods and other communities. I want to help by breaking down stereotypes and promote better understanding but also reflect on important issues such as poverty, social justice and human rights.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Yeah, photojournalism is a challenging field. In my case, I would say the main several obstacles and challenges are like safety, ethics and credentials. To choose as a subject the gritty reality of life on the streets, the one we don’t see or want to see, I guess that requires a combination of technical skill, creativity, and journalistic integrity. But for me, it’s not meant to stop you, more to show you what you are truly capable of.
I am constantly looking to push the boundaries of my art and to produce thought-provoking and visually stunning image.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My black and white photographs provides a powerful look into the one of those who live on the streets, giving a voice to those who often go unheard and highlight the stark contrast between the beauty and the ugliness of street life, drawing the viewer’s attention to the harsh realities of life.
Like I said “I like to show the world as it is, for me nothing’s more interesting than reality. So from rough areas that never see tourists to poor neighborhoods where I can find chaos, I find beauty. I let the street speak, and I just document what I see…”
By capturing powerful images of important issues like street violence and poverty, I can help to raise awareness, contributing to social change and educate people about the realities of life in some of the world’s most impoverished areas, and inspire them to take action to address these problems.
Since 2023 I am represented by Zuma Press agency in San Clemente and that’s why it’s important for me to dissociate what goes in art gallery they also represent me and what goes in press agency. My series “Gimme Shelter” about homeless crisis and poverty, 100% of profits are donated to charities to helping them.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
One of my fondest memories from my childhood is associated with my first camera, a Canon A1. I enjoyed using it to capture pictures of my friends skateboarding, and this passion led me to a job at a skate shop in my hometown where I got the chance to photograph both local skaters, professional teams and brands. That was my first step into photography and make me who or where I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nsd5150.com
- Instagram: @bricegelot / @nsd.5150
Image Credits
Portrait : © Luc Gregoire All of my photographs : © Brice Gelot – NSD51/50
