LO1 Blog Post #3 (Henri Cartier-Bresson)

UNIT 31 LO1 Blog Post 3

Henri Cartier-Bresson

Henri Carier-Bresson was born in 1908 and died at the age of 96 in 2004. He was a french photographer who helped develop the style of street photography of photographers in the future. His main choice of camera was the leica camera to shoot in 35mm format. When he was younger he owned a box brownie so that he could take holiday snapshots. He was raised in a traditonal  french way of life. He was then introduced to oil paintings by his uncle louis after an successful attempt at music. In 1927 he entered into a private art school at the age of 22 years old. He became inspired by a 1930 photograph by hungarian photographer Martin Munkasci showing three naked young african boys running into the surf. This captured the freedom of their movement and their joy to be alive. He changed his technique several times with testing new camera lenses by taking photographs of ducks in parks. He never published the images but refered to them as his only superstition.

On the visual style of geometry he focuses on geometry. He tried using vertical, horizontal and diagonal lines, curves and shadows into his photographs to his advantage. He tries to look for shapes and geometry in the natural world as well. He would be very patient when taking his photographs. He would sometimes be spontaneous but other times having to be patient on when to take his photographs. When being patient he would think about the people, background, framing and composition to attempt at getting the perfect photograph. When he was out taking his photographs he would wait for the right person to walk by and complete his photograph. He did not always go out and look for a photograph, he would usually just wait until one comes to him. He would travel the world annd shot in places like india, all of europe, united states, china and africa. when he went to the different countries he would try to capture different styles of life and to try and learn more about the local people. If he was shooting for just himself he would only use 50 mm lenses. When he took photographs on the streets he would try and blend into the background. He would sometimes cover his camera in black tape and even sometimes a handkerchief. before he became a photographer he was a painter and tried to see his photographs as a painting. He never cropped his photographs. He sent the photographs to people he trusted for them to print them.

This photograph by Henri Cartier-Bresson is called FRANCE. Marseiller. The Allee du Prado. 1932. He took the photograph when he was walking behind the man but he then suddenly turned around. The photograph looks interesting as there are no leaves on the trees which show that it is winter. I like where the man is standing which looks like the center of the pathway.

This photograph by Henri Cartier-Bresson is called FRANCE. Paris. Place de l'Europe. Gare Saint Lazare. 1932. This one of his most famous photographs. I like the way he took the photograph with holding the camera through the wall without even looking. I also like the way that the police man is jumping across the puddle and you can see his reflection just below him.

This photograph taken by Henri Cartier-Bresson is called IRELAND. Province of Munster. Kerry Country. Near Bantree. 1962. It is interesting as the river has been drained out and there seems to of been a sunken row boat at the bottom of the river with the ground growing over it. I like how you can still see the river in the background of the photograph.





http://www.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP3=CMS3&VF=MAGO31_10_VForm&ERID=24KL53ZMYNhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_Cartier-Bresson
http://erickimphotography.com/blog/2011/08/22/10-things-henri-cartier-bresson-can-teach-you-about-street-photography/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlUWznm1ufU