Today, 101 years ago, Henri Cartier-Bresson was born. He was consider to be the father of modern photojournalism and of course a Leica user (he used a normal 50mm lens).
Magnum Henri Cartier-Bresson slideshow available here.
Henri Cartier-Bresson videos:
Via Imaginginsider
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Cartier-Bresson would not accept the title of the father of photojournalism. First of all, he rejected the title, calling himself a surrealist.
But as far as candid photography goes, he was a pioneer, but he himself said about Andre Kertesz, “He taught us how to see.” Kertersz was shooting candid photos during World War I with a box camera. And the Leica simply made that kind of photography easier to accomplish.
So, let’s give credit where credit is due. Nothing taken away from Cartier-Bresson. He was an amazing, unique, photographer. But also let’s not mistake sentiment for fact.
HCB rules. So does street photography, because it is so full of ephemeral beauty.
Here in Milwaukee, I hosted a HCB 101 photo-event. Check it out at my blog: http://www.midwesteditorialphoto.wordpress.com Enjoy!
This is what photography is about: seeing. It’s not about what equipment is new or sensors or lens curves or photosite density.
I’m not surprised that HCB lived to 101. While there are some artists who are always at war with themselves, there are others who have found peace and happiness in their art and you can see that joy in Bresson just by looking at him.
“I’m not surprised that HCB lived to 101″
I’d just like to correct the last posting. Cartier – Bresson lived to be 95. Born on the 22nd of August 1908 and died just short of his 96th year on the 3rd of August 2004.
By chance I photographed him sitting peacefully reading Le Monde in the Jardins des Tuileries 1999, a few hundred metres from his apartment on the rue du Rivoli. For those of you interested, the picture can be seen on my site at > portraits > unposed the 13th picture in the series.