"To me, photography is the simultaneous recognition, in a fraction of a second, of the significance of an event." - Henri Cartier-Bresson
What better day than today to celebrate the exceptional photographs of Henri Cartier-Bresson than on his birthday, August 22, 1908. The French Surrealist artist and author created works over a span of forty years, most notably photography.
Henri Carter-Bresson is a name that you will hear as influencing most modern-day photographers. One of the reasons that he is such a standout artist is that he was the pioneer of street photography. Shooting with his trusty Leica, he inconspicuously altered the camera as to not let his subjects know that they were being photographed. He wanted to capture people as they were, without the influence of having to curb their truth. The organic and raw nature of people. The subconscious that we may not want others to see.
Another reason that Cartier-Bresson is so impressive is his staunch insistence of framing the image though the viewfinder and not in the darkroom. Considering that there were very little, if any, photo editing resources during this time, it is highly commendable that the images that he produced were taken in a fraction of a second, with motion, light, shutter and aperture all being variables synchronized in a delicate balance. The staggering amount of effort that goes into that, all while being incognito, means that every shot had to be just. so. perfect.
He coined the phrase "un moment decisif" or "a decisive moment," which accurately sums up his photographic style. I like to define this phrase as the point in which the photographer has to decide when the exact moment is right to press the shutter. It can't be too early or too late, but rather just. so. perfect.
Some of Cartier-Bresson's photographs may even resemble paintings, which may pay tribute to his earlier aspirations as a painter and his training under Andre Lohte at the Lohte Academy during the 1920's.
So, let's celebrate Henri Cartier-Bresson's birthday by enjoying some of his signifiant photographs in the gallery below.
What better day than today to celebrate the exceptional photographs of Henri Cartier-Bresson than on his birthday, August 22, 1908. The French Surrealist artist and author created works over a span of forty years, most notably photography.
Henri Carter-Bresson is a name that you will hear as influencing most modern-day photographers. One of the reasons that he is such a standout artist is that he was the pioneer of street photography. Shooting with his trusty Leica, he inconspicuously altered the camera as to not let his subjects know that they were being photographed. He wanted to capture people as they were, without the influence of having to curb their truth. The organic and raw nature of people. The subconscious that we may not want others to see.
Another reason that Cartier-Bresson is so impressive is his staunch insistence of framing the image though the viewfinder and not in the darkroom. Considering that there were very little, if any, photo editing resources during this time, it is highly commendable that the images that he produced were taken in a fraction of a second, with motion, light, shutter and aperture all being variables synchronized in a delicate balance. The staggering amount of effort that goes into that, all while being incognito, means that every shot had to be just. so. perfect.
He coined the phrase "un moment decisif" or "a decisive moment," which accurately sums up his photographic style. I like to define this phrase as the point in which the photographer has to decide when the exact moment is right to press the shutter. It can't be too early or too late, but rather just. so. perfect.
Some of Cartier-Bresson's photographs may even resemble paintings, which may pay tribute to his earlier aspirations as a painter and his training under Andre Lohte at the Lohte Academy during the 1920's.
So, let's celebrate Henri Cartier-Bresson's birthday by enjoying some of his signifiant photographs in the gallery below.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_Cartier-Bresson
[*All images borrowed from the internet.]