Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908-2004) was a French photographer and one of the pioneers of modern photojournalism. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest photographers of the 20th century and is known for his candid and decisive moment photography.
Cartier-Bresson was born on August 22, 1908, in
Chanteloup-en-Brie, France. He developed an early interest in painting and
studied art in his youth. However, it was during a trip to Africa in 1931 that
he discovered his passion for photography after receiving a small 35mm camera
as a gift.
In 1932, Cartier-Bresson traveled to Mexico and the United
States, capturing scenes of everyday life with his camera. He then returned to
Europe and became involved in the Surrealist art movement, where he honed his
skills in capturing spontaneous and surreal moments in his photographs. He
sought to document the essence of human experience through his images.
In 1947, Cartier-Bresson co-founded the renowned Magnum
Photos agency along with Robert Capa, David Seymour, George Rodger, and William
Vandivert. Magnum Photos became a cooperative agency that allowed photographers
to retain control over their work and pursue their individual projects. Through
Magnum, Cartier-Bresson covered significant events around the world, including
the Spanish Civil War, the partition of India, the Chinese Revolution, and the
Soviet Union after Stalin's death.
Cartier-Bresson's photographic style was characterized by his ability to capture the "decisive moment." He would patiently wait for the perfect alignment of elements within the frame and then press the shutter at precisely the right instant to capture a fleeting and meaningful moment. His photographs often portrayed the human condition, combining a strong sense of composition, geometry, and storytelling.
He worked primarily with a Leica 35mm camera, which allowed
him to be discreet and agile in his photography. Cartier-Bresson believed in
the importance of capturing the spontaneity and authenticity of a scene without
interfering or staging it. He described his approach as being "a visual
hunter" who was constantly observing the world around him.
Cartier-Bresson published several books throughout his
career, including "The Decisive Moment" (1952), which is regarded as
one of the most influential photography books of all time. His work has been
exhibited worldwide, and his contributions to the field of photography have had
a lasting impact on generations of photographers.
Henri Cartier-Bresson passed away on August 3, 2004, in
Céreste, France, leaving behind a vast body of work that continues to inspire
and influence photographers to this day. His legacy as a master of photography
and his ability to capture the fleeting moments of life have solidified his
place in the history of the medium.
