Why HCB uses a 50mm lens

[Pál_K]

A bit off topic, but related to quotes from famous photographers and exposure settings: I’ve been trying to discover who the photographer is that, when asked at an exhibition what his exposure settings were for a particular photo, said something like “1/60th of a second and 30 years” - essentially stating that his experience was the most important factor in the setting. I once knew who said it, perhaps in a previous life, but don’t recall it now.

 

[ptpdprinter]

I would hope that a renowned photographer would vary his or her exposure with the amount of light available.

 

[jsrockit]

I would hope that a renowned photographer would vary his or her exposure with the amount of light available.

Of course, but maybe they knew based on the film speed they used at that time and the light they preferred, what they shot at mostly. Or maybe that was the bare minimum she wanted.

 

[David Hughes]

Of course, but maybe they knew based on the film speed they used at that time and the light they preferred, what they shot at mostly. Or maybe that was the bare minimum she wanted.

Here are some of her portraits to look at and consider:-

https://www.theguardian.com/artandd...1/jane-bown-a-life-in-photography-in-pictures

Regards, David

 

[Vince Lupo]

A bit off topic, but related to quotes from famous photographers and exposure settings: I’ve been trying to discover who the photographer is that, when asked at an exhibition what his exposure settings were for a particular photo, said something like “1/60th of a second and 30 years” - essentially stating that his experience was the most important factor in the setting. I once knew who said it, perhaps in a previous life, but don’t recall it now.

I don’t recall who said this, but if Cartier-Bresson (or any other photographer for that matter) had 60 great photos, and if each of those 60 great photos were shot at 1/60th of a second, he’d have exactly 1 second of great photography.

 

[JohnWolf]

I don’t recall who said this, but if Cartier-Bresson (or any other photographer for that matter) had 60 great photos, and if each of those 60 great photos were shot at 1/60th of a second, he’d have exactly 1 second of great photography.

Such an interesting perspective on this enterprise of ours.

Of course, there are great photos and there are photos that mean something to us. And there's the pleasure of pursuing either or both.

Nonetheless, it's time well spent.

John

 

[boojum]

I would hope that a renowned photographer would vary his or her exposure with the amount of light available.

Thank you.

 

[leicapixie]

HCB did'nt only use a 50mm! In the 60's I read a New Yorker buying camera equipment from Bresson! A 200mm, Visoflex,,wide angles. Haas wrote while in Japan HCB moved to 35mm mainly. He always carried one, plus a 90 in addition to 2x50mm lenses. The crowds and small spaces reqd. it! Look at images in trains, poster of funeral. HCB travelled light. Compared to today, with nothing! Extra drives, connections, cables, extra batteries, back up bodies and lenses, maps, GPS,1st aid kit, ETC. Do not believe all myths. I work (ed) like Henri. When the gear started to need a check list, assistants, computer folk, I QUIT.

 

[boojum]

The change from analog(ue) to digital has moved the processing from the lab to the camera and with that move comes the extra gear. No longer confined to a max of 36 exposures in a camera but now able to load up thousands and things change. Instead of offloading those spools of 36 at a lab we now xfer them to drives, HD, SSD or thumb. And/or retain them in-camera. We can edit now with a computer rather than a dark room, crowded or spacious, lighted with dim red lights and stoked with trays of chemicals and envelopes of print paper. We can work in the sunlight, stream the news, keep up with email and cruise the net all while editing photo images. And while analog(ue) is currently enjoying a resurgence, the freedom from lugging those rolls of film still is quite attractive. There are good reasons the industry and users, pro and amateur, moved to digital. I'll spare you from my listing them.

As for the lens inventory, well, aping HCB's inventory will not make anyone a better photographer. Better to study lighting and composition. And shoot, shoot, shoot. Use what works for you.

There is an old story about a fellow having dinner with Calvin Coolidge at the White house. The guest wanted to be in sync with the president and pretty much did what the president all through dinner. After dinner coffee was served. When Coolidge got his coffee he lifted the cup off the saucer and placed it alongside on the table so the fellow did the same. Then Coolidge reached for the creamer and so did the fellow. Then Coolidge poured cream into the saucer and so, too, did the fellow. And then Coolidge lifted the saucer off the table and placed it on the floor, for the cat. So, you see, it does pay to think for ourselves and not just copy.

 

[jsrockit]

HCB did'nt only use a 50mm!

When they say someone used a 50mm, they mean most of the time, not exclusively.

 

[mnutzer]

... We can work in the sunlight, stream the news, keep up with email and cruise the net all while editing photo images...

Yes, many images could have been edited better, if there had been fewer distractions from extraneous topics.
During previous activities in the darkroom, I even had to turn off the radio because of the illuminated station scale.

 

[leicapixie]

I never said or implied that analog (stupid word+similar)is better! Jeez! I love digital. No hours/days in darkroom, smelly chemicals and washing, washing! A few minutes at a printer, and I'm done. can easily order books, zines or large prints. I find most new film users, using outdated film, cameras needing service or replacement, plus total ignorance showing horrible results. Scanned film is simply not true projection prints. Certain "new" films are poor in quality. Thin emulsions, curling and sloppy manufacture. Viva 0+1.

 

[BernardL]

In Eggleston’s account of meeting HCB, Henri said just one thing to him the whole evening: “William, color is bullish!t”

Sounds very plausible. Cartier-Bresson was known for abrasive statements.

 

[boojum]

I never said or implied that analog (stupid word+similar)is better! Jeez! I love digital. No hours/days in darkroom, smelly chemicals and washing, washing! A few minutes at a printer, and I'm done. can easily order books, zines or large prints. I find most new film users, using outdated film, cameras needing service or replacement, plus total ignorance showing horrible results. Scanned film is simply not true projection prints. Certain "new" films are poor in quality. Thin emulsions, curling and sloppy manufacture. Viva 0+1.

I misunderstood. I was wrong, please forgive me.

 

[Pál_K]

Hobbies are big enough to accommodate diverse choices of equipment and styles.

A friend of mine shoots 8x10 exclusively and makes contact prints. He uses nothing else. That works for him and he doesn’t care or mind what others use.

 

[jsrockit]

A friend of mine shoots 8x10 exclusively and makes contact prints. He uses nothing else. That works for him and he doesn’t care or mind what others use.

It is funny what happens when you have confidence in your choices.

 

[Yokosuka Mike]

Can we change the title from "uses" to "used" 🙂

Seems like a reasonable request to me.

All the best,
Mike

 

[Pál_K]

Can we change the title from "uses" to "used" 🙂

I’m sure he’s using a 50mm in the Afterlife. It’s a small lens and most certainly he took it.

Unlike the Pharaohs, I don’t have a population to build a large pyramid. But my backyard pyramid and vessel is large enough to hold my cameras and lenses.

 

[raydm6]

“I always have my camera. Except for shaving in the morning.” – Henri Cartier-Bresson

I came across this HCB photo from 1965. I have never seen it before and am not familiar with his later work. Looks like it was taken with a 50. Interesting photo and article nonetheless.

From the article:

Cartier-Bresson demonstrates his unique skill as a captivating photographer. He elevates an ordinary instant of boys walking in the city by capturing the human connection between the subject and the viewer, using humor and composition to create a poetic image capable of charming the viewer.

 

[Richard G]

Just as Manuel Alvarez Bravo in his telling was a photographer long before he ever held a camera, perhaps Henri still uses a 50 long after he left the last one behind.