Old article on Cartier-Bresson

[payasam]

Summaron, yes, I forgot Kertesz. In the circumstances, a major lapse. Thanks. You are right, of course, about "the decisive moment" not being C-B's coinage. For better or for worse, though, it has stuck to the man and his work. Just as a certain artificially concocted beverage is, for all time, The Real Thing.

Simon, your note about drawing and re-drawing will force me to re-think the matter of wasting film as against using it. Economy of means and attaining perfection are both valid goals, so choosing between the two cannot be easy. Moderation, the middle path, etc.

All right about Ockham, Alex. Does look more British, if that matters.

Mukul (had both cataracts done, no sign of Makular Degeneration yet)

 

[dspeltz]

There was a post the last day or two on the International Center of Photography (ICP) Cartier-Bresson exhibition that just opened (Scrapbook). My office is across the street from ICP and I just spent an hour in there. There are 300 photos, most 4x5 inches with not much light. Some are larger. It is a wonderful exhibit but very hard work and will require a few re-visits. There is also a film he did discussing his photographs. With humility, he talks about the decisive moment and with perserverance he is there at the right moment. He also talks about the ones he lost because the decisive moment was after he clicked and did not have time to rewind. The film may be available sometime later this year. If interested, the Scrapbook is for sale for $80 and is an easier way to see the exhibition (better light, get closer). In a not-so-good-Bresson fashion I took a photo of ICP out of my office window (attached). The website for ICP (and Scrapbook) is icp.org.