2 EARLY BIRD SPOTS LEFT ☞ SECURE YOURS BEF. SUN. NOV. 2!
BRUCE GILDEN: “BE YOURSELF”
MARCH 9-13, 2026, TOKYO, JAPAN
We are thrilled to offer the global photography community one more chance to learn first-hand from legendary street photographer Bruce Gilden in Japan this coming spring! Following last year’s exhilarating experience in Osaka, we are excited to have our workshop based this second time around in Shinjuku, the beating heart of Tokyo and the historical grounds for many iconic photographs from Bruce’s acclaimed “GO” (2000) and “Cherry Blossom” (2021) photobooks. These 5 days together with Bruce downtown Tokyo will be the opportunity of a lifetime for photographers looking to challenge their street practices beyond their comfort zones, experiment in real time and with Bruce’s guidance to find their own direct portraiture style, and to keep pushing their narrative skills to the next level!
Participation is limited to 11 photographers. Early Bird registrations are closing soon (Sunday, Nov. 2), with only 2 early bird spots/rebates left! Secure yours now using the application form below☟
DESCRIPTION
BRUCE GILDEN brings to his masterclass his unique style of street photography which has truly become his own over the past 50 years of working in New York City and other urban areas, both in the US and abroad. He will work with the students to teach them how to improve their pictures shot in the streets by best identifying their working “style” for street photography, and define their personal vision.
Gilden will share his own experience in the street to aid the students in gaining “street smart” sensibilities. These principles are necessary to work in any environment and to be in the middle of the scenario without being obtrusive.
I want to help you MAKE photographs, not TAKE photographs!
– Bruce Gilden
Cover images © Bruce Gilden; Top: Business man at lunchtime outside JR station. Kaeda. Tokyo. Japan. 1996; Bottom: Bikers leave motorcycle meeting while being chased by police. Kamonomiya. Japan. 1999
© Bruce Gilden, Japan. 1999.
© Bruce Gilden, Shinjuku Station, Tokyo, 1996, from the book Cherry Blossom (2021)
SCHEDULE & PRE-ASSIGNMENT
[subject to change]
PRE-CLASS ASSIGNMENT :
Shoot either 50 digital images or 2 rolls of film in an area or a situation where you are “comfortable” working in, AND 50 digital images (or 2 rolls of film) somewhere else where you are “not comfortable” working in. Please present no more than 5 images.
FIRST DAY OF CLASS
In addition to the pre-class assignment, bring your best photos, ones that are indicative of your style (they do NOT have to be “street” photographs). Maximum 15 photos. After I review their portfolios, each student will be given a personal assignment related to their strengths or weaknesses.
EVERYDAY (9am-2pm):
I review the work and then everybody goes out to shoot on their own.
LAST DAY OF CLASS:
From the recently-completed assignments, each participant will have produced an essay that I will help in putting together.
– Bruce Gilden
ABOUT BRUCE GILDEN
© Coleman-Camp.j
Bruce Gilden was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1946. After briefly studying sociology at Penn State University he quit college and decided to become a photographer in 1967. Aside from taking a few evening classes at the School of Visual Arts in New York, Gilden largely considers himself to be self-taught. Although Gilden cut his teeth on the sidewalks of New York City where he grew up, he has since made significant bodies of work in Haiti, Japan, England, France, Ireland, India, and the USA. Along with his many acclaimed personal projects, Gilden has worked on many commissions for clients including Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Balenciaga, RATP Parisian transportation system, The Climate Group, Vanity Fair, Vogue Homme and New York Times Magazine. Gilden is the recipient of many awards and grants for his work, including several National Endowments for the Arts fellowships , French “Villa Medicis Hors les Murs” grant, the New York State Foundation for the Arts, Japan Foundation Artist Fellowship and in 2013 a Guggenheim Foundation fellowship. Since the seventies, his work has been exhibited in museums and galleries all over the world. Bruce Gilden has published 27 monographs of his work: Lost and Found (2019), Cherry Blossom (2021), and early 2022, Black Country as well as most recently The Circuit. Gilden joined Magnum Photos in 1998. He lives in Beacon, New York.
www.brucegilden.com
@bruce_gilden
WORKSHOP WITH
BRUCE GILDEN
TOKYO, JAPAN
3.9-13, 2026
REGISTRATION FEES & DEADLINES:
TUITION/REGISTRATION FEE:
Early bird: $2700 USD *
Extended deadline: Sunday, November 2, 2025 (midnight PST)
Past attendee: $2500 USD *
Extended deadline: Sunday, November 2, 2025 (midnight PST)
Regular: $2900 USD
Deadline: Monday, November 3, and until filled
$1500 USD registration deposits are accepted to secure your participation (registration balances due by Jan. 11, 2026)
Flexible monthly payment plans are also available to all accepted applicants at no additional cost. If interested, requests for payment plans must also be received by Sunday, November 2, 2025 (scroll down for more details).
* (2 last spots available, secure yours now!)
TRAVEL & STAY
Flights, local transportation, meals and accommodations are not included in any registration fees. However, a detailed workshop information packet will be sent to all confirmed participants to help coordinate their stay in Tokyo. It will list a number of recommended accommodation options, as well as local transportation directions, and more important logistical tips.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications to register are free (no fee to apply). Enrolment is limited to 11 participants. Photographers from all education backgrounds, and at all stages of their careers are encouraged to apply (film and digital both OK). Submitting a portfolio of 15-20 images focused on past and/or ongoing work is required in order to receive full consideration.
REGISTRATION DEPOSITS & PAYMENT PLANS
Accepted applicants are required to confirm their participation by sending either a $1500 USD registration deposit, or a full Early Bird/Past Attendee/Regular registration payment within a week from their acceptance date.
If sending a registration deposit, the remaining tuition balance for accepted applicants will come due in full by Sunday, January 11, 2026.
Flexible monthly payment plans are also available to all accepted applicants at their request, and at no additional cost. If interested, please inquire before Sunday, November 2, 2025, with FotoFilmic Co-Director Bastien Desfriches Doria at bastien@fotofilmic.com. Please also note that all payment plan payments remain non-refundable.
CANCELATIONS/WITHDRAWALS
The deadline to withdraw your participation and request a refund is Sunday, December 7, 2025. Please note that a $250 USD cancelation fee remains applicable. Cancelation and refund requests received after December 7, 2025 will not be accepted or processed.
In the event that the workshop is not meeting minimum enrolment or needs to be canceled for any other reason, paid tuition will be refunded in full without any cancelation fee applied. Please also note that FotoFilmic cannot be held responsible for any unrefunded traveling expenses if the workshop is not running: purchasing travel insurance is therefore highly recommended.
QUESTIONS/CONTACT
For any questions or inquiries, please contact FotoFilmic Co-Director Bastien Desfriches Doria directly at bastien@fotofilmic.com