Henri Cartier-Bresson

1. Henri Cartier-Bresson By Steven Granner Digital Photography – Period 2

2. His LifeAugust 22nd, 1908– August 3rd, 2004 • Henri Cartier-Bresson was a French photographer. • He was considered to be the father of modern photojournalism. • Mastered candid photography and developed “real-life reportage” or “Street Photography”.

3. His LifeAugust 22nd, 1908– August 3rd, 2004 • Henri was born into a wealthy family; his father a textile manufacturer. • His parents willingly provided financial support for him to pursue his interests in photography. • Henri attended École Fénelon, a catholic school that prepared students to attend Lycée Condorcet. • His work has been showcased in The United States, one exhibit in 1935 at the Julien Levy Gallery. • Cartier-Bresson’s first photojournalism photos were published in 1937. He covered the coronation of King George VI for the French weekly, “Regards”.

4. His work In this photo, the lighting is all natural, coming from the light outside of the café. It is high lighting, creating shadows beneath the table and on parts of the building in the background. The main subject is the couple in the center. You can tell this because of the way they are centered and focus in the image. The black and white effect on this image creates a ‘romantic’, old-time feeling. When taking this photo, Henri did a nice job taking it at a perfect distance that captures only the important elements. The close crop eliminates distracting or unnecessary components. I feel that Henri tried to convey a candid, sweet, romantic message when composing this shot. I selected this photograph of his because I really liked it and how it depicts a quick snapshot of young love. Sidewalk Café, Boulevard Diderot Paris, 1969

5. His work This photo, also has a good amount of natural light that nicely illuminates the entire shot. It seems as though most of the light is coming from the left. The small shadow to the right of the woman’s feet makes me believe so. The main subject in this photo are the woman crossing the road. In my opinion, I feel that the rainy day and background building makes this an interesting photo. I also think that the tree in the foreground adds a lot of depth to the image and it follows the rule of thirds. In this picture I think Henri tried to convey a ‘gloomy’, ‘depressing’ emotion with the rain and the lone figure in the road. Being that she is alone, I feel that it adds to the dark, lonely emotion that the shot may be proposing. I selected this photo out of personal interest. I really enjoy this style of photography and how it was composed.

6. His work The lighting of this picture is all natural light of the outdoors. It seems to be coming from down the road; the left side. The lines of the staircase railing and the sidewalk lead the eye toward the biker and down the road. These components are certainly important to the photo and it would not be nearly the same without them. This image also follows the rule of thirds. The biker intersects with the top left focal point, and the railings with the other three. I don’t sense that Henri was trying to communicate a message or tell a story with this shot, but rather saw an opportunity for an interesting photo. For, perhaps, the same reason as Henri, I chose this photo of his because I like the composition and overall “flow”. Hyeres, 1932

7. His work The main source is light is coming from the background of this photo. It, too, is natural lighting from the outdoors. The gradation of lighting - light to dark from background to foreground – creates a sense that this was taken from a back alley way or some place hidden from other light sources. In my opinion, the main subject of this shot is the person sitting on a ledge toward the bottom of the photo. This person was placed intersecting the bottom right focal point. This means that this picture follows the rule of thirds. To me, this picture coveys a feeling of loneliness and sadness. To my knowledge there is no story behind this image. I chose this photo because I really like the architecture of New York. I’m also really intrigued by the way Cartier-Bresson composes his shots. Henri Cartier Bresson New York, 1947

8. His work The lighting here is clearly all natural. I think that this may have been a better photo if it was slightly less exposed. The subjects in this photo are the two people lying beneath the umbrella. I believe this picture follows the rule of thirds because the umbrella intersects with the bottom left focal point. I also think that the texture of the ground contributes more elements. Here, like most other photos by Henri, I feel that he was depicting a romantic candid. Much his work was based on candid or non-posed images. Dieppe, France, 1926

9. Sources (2010, August 22). Henri Cartier-Bresson: 1908-2004. Retrieved November 9, 2010, from http://www.dailyartfixx.com/2010/08/22/henri-cartier-bresson-1908-2004/ (2010, July 19). Photos Idle: Henri Cartier Bresson. Retrieved November 9, 2010, from http://fotosilde.blogspot.com/2010/07/henri-cartier-bresson-for-me-camera-is.html Alcubierre, A. (2008, August 22). Henri Cartier-Bresson, 100 years ago.... Retrieved November 9, 2010, from http://www.arantxaalcubierre.com/2008/08/henri-cartier-bresson-100-years-ago…/ Henri Cartier-Bresson. (November 10, 2010). In Wikipedia. Retrieved November 9, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_Cartier-Bresson Powell, H. F. (2009, March). How is this Possible?. Retrieved November 9, 2010, from : http://helenafrithpowell.com/2009/03 Steele, S. (2010, July 6). It's Too Darn Hot. Retrieved November 9, 2010, from http://fansinaflashbulb.wordpress.com/2010/07/06/its-too-darn-hot