Skyscraper-Climbing Self-Dubbed 'Spiderman' Photographer Used $15,000 of Stolen Equipment to Capture His Images

Melbourne photographer Bryce Wilson, who called himself "Spiderman" after risking his life to climb skyscrapers from the tops of which he photographed, shot to Internet fame in the last few years because of his stunts and unique perspective on the world. However, The Daily Mail reports that all of his photographs were taken rather unapologetically with stolen equipment. Naturally, it was the failure to remove metadata copyright information within the camera settings that led to proof to serve a search warrant.

After meeting photographer Jon Grundy at his home for a Craigslist deal advertising two Canon lenses, Grundy backed out of the deal, claiming to not have the money needed. During the meeting, Wilson learned Grundy would be gone for the following week and, of course, that he had other expensive gear. Three days later, Grundy's wife came home to a burglarized home.

The fact that only camera equipment was taken (jewelry and computers were safely in their places) was a dead giveaway to Grundy about who was behind the invasion. But this wasn't enough evidence to earn a search warrant.

In the meantime, Wilson continued to brag about "moving" from a Canon 7D to a Canon 5D Mk III and 35mm f/1.4L — gear similar to what was taken from Grundy — and sold prints at $35 a piece. It wasn't until a number of months later that Grundy's luck began to change.

A fellow photographer noticed Jon Grundy's name in the metadata of Wilson's images on Instagram (all previous mentions of these stolen cameras seem to have been removed). He found that odd and contacted Grundy to inquire about the discovery. Grundy said he had gear stolen back in July; and an exchange of information eventually led to the serving of a search warrant, the return of Grundy's gear, and Wilson's guilty plea to burglary and handling of stolen goods. Wilson was even charged with trespassing, which he did on numerous occasions to gain access to the tops of skyscrapers.

The kicker? No conviction was recorded, and the sentence was 100 hours of community service.

I'm not an expert in Australia's legal system by any means, but does that sentence not seem rather light? Moreover, he is still selling prints online of his work captured with the stolen equipment.

Grundy stated that there was no point at which Wilson seemed apologetic or empathetic, saying that he was just concerned with getting his gear back (unless Wilson is delusional, this is somewhat bizarre considering it was never his gear to begin with, of course). It's interesting, too, that on his website, Wilson claims that his camera goes everywhere with him and that he feels naked without it. And yet, he stole someone else's camera — something that can be very personal and that photographers often do feel completely naked without.

Wilson released a statement that works in an apology and remorse, but those sentiments are undercut by its tone and ending. What do you think?

I made a sincerely regrettable mistake, one for which I am sorry. I cooperated with police enquiries, assisted them in recovering the property, and fulfilled all of my legal obligations, including bail conditions, and paying my own legal costs.

Jon's actions come following my life moving on. I have not possessed any of this gear since the search warrant was executed. All of my work since has been shot on other photographic gear, with no link to Jon.

His public revelation of this case comes as a direct retaliation to me receiving recognition for my work, something he comments on himself. That is not the actions of a victim, but instead a malicious and calculated move designed to besmirch my character, name, and work.

[via The Daily Mail]