The Kid gets a lift

Kid gets the lift and I my decisive moment

.... And I my decisive moment. (Click on the photograph to see a larger version)

'Decisive Moment' was a book published by Henri Cartier Bresson in 1952 which included 126 of his photographs. In his key note he wrote "Il n'y a rien dans ce monde qui n'ait un moment decisif" ("There is nothing in this world that does not have a decisive moment") ' Henri's work was characterized by this concept of Decisive Moment, and who but he explained this beautifully when he said

"There is a creative fraction of a second when you are taking a picture. Your eye must see a composition or an expression that life itself offers you, and you must know with intuition when to click the camera. That is the moment the photographer is creative," he said. "Oop! The Moment! Once you miss it, it is gone forever."

This photograph of mine, like many street photographers is inspired from this famous photograph- "behind the Gare Saint Lazare" by Henri  Cartier Bresson, who pioneered the 'street photography' as is known today.

This photograph did not happen by chance. It was made and in my next post, I will share the series of photographs that lead to this one. Till then, let me know whats on your mind.

Henri Cartier Bresson - photographer philosopher

"There is nothing in this world that does not have a decisive moment". - HCB


Henri Cartier Bresson, is probably one of the most revered and well known photographers. Much though, he was quiet a low key guy and thats probably one of the reasons why there are very few  portraits of his from his early days. He however, redefined the photography and what we know today as street photography is probably his giving. However, in my mind, HCB was an artist at core, as most of you would know, he learnt painting and sketching as a young boy and took to photography later. That he ended his career by going back to sketching is an indication enough, that painting and sketching was closer to his heart. "Photography is like a blunt edge whereas painting is more meditative".