Bruce Gilden: Why These?

Bruce Gilden’s photos are not flattering. They are confrontational. His flash captures glances—faces we will never forget. Outsiders and the overlooked, whom he not only photographs but sees as human beings.

– Donna, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA 2014

The title of the exhibition “Why These?” at Fotografiska Berlin doesn’t just ask about the photographer’s work. It’s also a question directed at us. Why do these images make us uncomfortable? Why do we try to avert our gaze yet still can’t look away?

“Why These?” features 41 photographs selected by Bruce Gilden himself. Iconic shots from Coney Island, Haiti, New York, and Tokyo take you on a photographic journey through the most important projects of his early career. Additional large-format prints showcase his radical shift to digital color photography beginning in 2013 - a decision that adds a contemporary dimension to his uncompromising style.

About Bruce Gilden

Bruce Gilden grew up in Brooklyn, New York, shortly after World War II. As a child, he spent hours watching the “tough guys” on the streets below his apartment building. This shaped his lifelong fascination with the “characters” he would later photograph. In 1968, he bought his first camera—a Miranda—and taught himself how to use it. His photos show the raw face of the street: daily routines, fleeting encounters, trips to the so-called corner stores. His lens doesn’t just capture moments. Through them, you feel the tension, smell the cigarette smoke, and see the unvarnished reality.

Runtime: Sat, 25/04/2026 to Sun, 23/08/2026

Takes place here:

• Fotografiska Berlin