Under the Influence of Henri Cartier-Bresson

Introduction

For the second installment of Under The Influence, I reluctantly choose Henri Cartier-Bresson as my subject. Why reluctantly? Simply put, his influence is far too massive. To single out one thing, one influence (which is the objective) seems nearly impossible.

As photographers and admirers of street photography, we all know his name and the monumental impact of his work. Calling Henri Cartier-Bresson a father of street photography is not a stretch. His images are simply iconic. As a co-founder of Magnum photos, his contribution to the world of photography expanded even more. To read his written work has helped scores to open their “mind’s eye” wide. I simplify his many achievements and contributions only because they’ve been expounded upon thousands, maybe millions of times before. Really, it’s quite safe to say his legacy will never be diminished. He is part of the foundation on which all street photographers tread upon. And, his name will always be referenced as one if the masters of the craft.

Henri Cartier-Bresson’s amazing photographs have inspired many to take up a camera, and many more to take to the streets. Their beauty is that compelling. But, Cartier-Bresson also gave us another source of inspiration. And that was his words. Thankfully, for us, he spoke of his process. He gave us insight on how his mind worked in conjunction with his eyes, his hands and his Leica. For me, this is the goods. It made me look at his work in a different, and even more beautiful light.

So How Did He Influence Me?

One word… patience.

Let me offer up two of my favorite quotes from Henri Cartier-Bresson:

“We must avoid however, snapping away, shooting quickly and without thought, overloading ourselves with unnecessary images that clutter our memory and diminish the clarity of the whole.”

“Your eye must see a composition or an expression that life itself offers you, and you must know with intuition when to click the camera.”

These words, as just text, provide sound advice to any photographer. But when I let them really sink in while I viewed his work, it became gospel to me. It helped me realize one thing I truly had been lacking. Patience.

Even before street photography, I hammered the shutter button like a maniac. The hammering became even more relentless when I got into street. I was shooting the photographic equivalent of a machine gun. Pointing my camera into busy scenes and firing shot after shot, hoping that I bagged at least one good scene. At best, I was aware of composition and maybe light. I would ultimately get a few good captures, but even some of those were empty and soulless. At best, some mildly tasty eye candy.

Henri Cartier-Bresson helped to bring patience into my work. I realized that even though a street photograph is a spontaneous and unpredictable moment which is difficult to capture, it is one that must be handled with patience in mind. I became more aware of my surroundings and the interactions of all the things that made it up. I became more focused on a subject’s expression and tried to anticipate their next one or their next move. And then I realized that I don’t have to take that shot. I was sacrificing time on a lesser shot when I could have spent those precious seconds composing a better one, or better yet… “setting the trap” for the next one. But I was still ready for the “decisive moment”. More than I was with my quantity over quality approach from before.

Conclusion

When I practiced being more patient, my photography changed for the better. My images were better. Photography slowed down and became more enjoyable, and even therapeutic. And, most importantly, my vision improved. I saw things I didn’t see before because I wasn’t taking the time. Really, a revelation.

In conclusion, I could touch on any number of ways Henri Cartier-Bresson influenced me, and nearly all of them were visual and through his images. However, the biggest mark was made on a deeper level by him extolling a virtue I was never familiar with, but is now one I cannot work without. Patience.