The Henri Cartier-Bresson:Paris exhibition 23 April - 20 August 2016 the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts was not to be missed. Eight-one amazing images captured between 1929 and 1985 provided an insight into the streets of the city and the lives of the people. Using 35 mm film he captured a moment in time.
Phil, Mark, Dee and I observed the photographs together comparing what we had learn from our photographic judges and what was before our eyes. The shots were powerful and inspirational however they broke many of the rules we have been taught. He has observed in a fraction of a second a composition or expression that life offered him and he took it. "The moment".
"Technique is important only in so far as you must master it in order to communicate what you see... The camera for us is a tool, not a pretty mechanical toy. In the precise functioning of the mechanical object perhaps there is an unconscious compensation for the anxieties and uncertainties of daily endeavour. In any case, people think far too much about techniques and not enough about seeing".
Henri Cartier-Bresson
The Decisive Moment, New York: Simon and Schuster
What would Cartier-Bresson have done with the tools we have now? We set off into Norwich to take some photographs. I enjoyed today very much. I always feel as if I am on the back foot trying out street photography and admire the way others move in position to get the shot they want. Unlike me, they never seem to attract attention. Mr Anonymous always seems to spot me. Phil told us that Cartier-Bresson held his camera behind his back until he saw a composition. Here are a few of my attempts at Street Photography!
Really comprehensive set of images. Glad you enjoyed the day; Phil did
ReplyDeleteand sorry I missed it.