Tie-Dyed Clothing at Portland, Oregon Saturday Market
Henri Cartier-Bresson, the French photographer who died in 2004 at the age of 95, is known as the father of modern photojournalism. He is considered to be one of the finest street photographers, capable of capturing “the decisive moment.”
Last week I came across a wonderful video with Cartier-Bresson speaking about several of his images (you can find links at the end of this post). It made me realize that street photography often is contemplative in nature. Cartier-Bresson himself said,
To take a photograph is to align the head, the eye and the heart. It’s a way of life.
Although Cartier-Bresson was considered to be a photojournalist, he did not consider his type of photography as documenting, or photojournalism. He called himself a very bad reporter.
Here are a few quotes from the video which describe his ideas about photography.
The difference between a good picture and a mediocre one is a question of millimeters.
Photography doesn’t take brains; it takes sensitivity, two legs, and a finger.
I never think. I act quick. You have to forget yourself and you have to be yourself. Let the image come. Ideas are dangerous. You’re not trying to explain something or prove something. It comes by itself.
Flowers at Japanese Garden
Everything is new. Every minute is new. Life changes every minute. The world is being created every minute.
I enjoy shooting a picture, being present. It’s a way of saying yes, yes, yes.“
Cartier-Bresson’s form of street photography is about being in the moment, forgetting yourself, not thinking, being curious and open, and trusting your intuition. Very contemplative!
Related Reading
Eric Kim Street Photography – link to video
Seeing Fresh – The Practice of Contemplative Photography