28 pics of HCB at work

[pesphoto]

I came across think link today of about 28 photos of HCB on the streets shooting. Enjoy...I did.
Apparently Bresson didnt want these published while still alive.
http://bongolia.com/bongostreet/hcb/index.html

 

[lZr]

Very enjoyable. Thanks

 

[mfogiel]

Interesting, two things appear evident to me: first, he was shooting with a 50mm lens, he does not get closer than 3-4 meters to the subjects, and second, when he wasn't shooting, he was scanning the surroundings with his photographer's eye...

 

[xayraa33]

nice series of photos.
HCB must have worn very comfortable shoes.

 

[Carlin]

Any idea of what era these were shot? Also, I'm selling that lens (collapsible Summicron) in the Classifieds, maybe I should keep it?

 

[Joe Mondello]

A treat! Thanks for posting that.

 

[Harry Lime]

Very nice.

Where are these from?


thanks,

HL

 

[chikne]

Very interesting

Thanks for sharing.

 

[f/stopblues]

Not many men could pull off a "camera bag" like his. I know I couldn't! It's very... pretty 😛

http://bongolia.com/bongostreet/hcb/slides/cartier07.html

I love to see how someone with serious skill works. Thanks for posting this.

 

[pesphoto]

You can read more about this here on this photographers website.
By the way, check out the work of the photographer who's site this is on.
http://bongolia.com/BONGOLIA/Secret_Knowledge.html

 

[Marc-A.]

Thanks Paul, very interesting!

 

[Marc-A.]

Paul, you have some gorgeous pictures on your personal website.
The one with the barking dog (at least it shows its teeth) is one of my favorite.

 

[crane17]

I was struck by how well dressed he was- how many of us wear a camel hair blazer and finely pressed pants while photographing on the street? Surely not I- but maybe I should try it as he looks so non-threatening.

 

[pesphoto]

Thank you Marc, very nice of you to say. Im glad everyone is enjoying this, it was a fun find early this morning.

 

[Graham Line]

Thanks for posting the link. The autos, clothing etc suggest the mid-to late 1950s -- HCB still looks relatively youthful as well. If that's an M in his hand it can't be much earlier than '54, and clothing started to change a lot in the early '60s.
Given that he was notoriously reluctant to be photographed, this set is interesting -- does anyone know the background?
The jacket isn't surprising -- only James Dean, Alain Delon and cowboys wore jeans back then.

 

[swoop]

I was struck by how well dressed he was- how many of us wear a camel hair blazer and finely pressed pants while photographing on the street? Surely not I- but maybe I should try it as he looks so non-threatening.

I figured this out early in my career. The more clean, tidy and distinguished you look the less likey people are to hassle you about photographing them. People like attractive people. It's just one of those rules of life things. You don't have to be Brad Pitt to get a great photo. But it doesn't hurt. And you have to have the ability to just blend in and behave as if you belong. And be subtle, don't get in the way, don't flick off 10 shots a second. Pay attention to what going on, and bring the camera to your eye occasionally. If you just keep it there, it's weird. Because people don't like just being watched.

 

[Spider67]

Thanks for this page! This might even explain the dented backs of some of my Retinas! They are claerly pressure dents as my thumb fits in comfortably

 

[Bobfrance]

I think the lack of gear and other paraphenalia (sp?) help him blend in.

No bulky camera bag for Mr. HCB!

 

[dpetrzelka]

Without that red dot HCB almost dissappears. And with that magical cloak of black tape he is truly invisable!

(jk)

 

[ywenz]

how did HCB not stand out while taking those pics? And how did the man who took the pics of HCB taking pics not stand out?