Henri Cartier-Bresson was born August 22nd 1908 and died August 3rd 2004, he was considered the godfather of photojournalism. The french photographer saw himself as a painter before turning to the camera. He is known for influencing other photographers from his best and well known photo Behind the Gare St. Lazare. This image is one of Cartier-Bresson's most famous pictures, he caught this picture at the perfect time 'the decisive moment', some people say that he would wait for the right time to take the picture and would stand around for ages to get an amazing picture like this one. "His pictures were about being at the right place at the right time", "he had an act for it", these are just a couple of quotes about Henri Cartier-Bresson spoken by some photographers themselves.
The Decisive Moment
The decisive moment is a moment when the picture (composition) comes together. For example in Henri Cartier-Bresson's picture of the guy jumping over the puddle is a very good examle of the decisive moment, he caught the guy in mid air which is the perfect moment, if it was earlier he would have had him still walking on the ground towards the puddle, and if he clicked later then he would of either had a splash from where he hit the puddle or of him walking away from the puddle. Catching the guy in mid air gives the picture drama, it gives it a sense of excitment as you do not know weather he makes the puddle or not, this is because it is a still image.
The Leica Camera
The leica camera was mainly used for street photography, espeshially within the mid-to-late 20th century. The first camera Henri Cartier-Bresson used was the leica camera which he described as an extention of his eye. Henri used to wrap black tape around the body of the camera to make it less conspicuous.
Very good Well done Emma. When you are discussing these photographers under the war section; it will be important to include some conclusions from your ideas on the type of photography. For example what was the effect of this instant snapshots have on our perception of war or for that matter life/reality?
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