Week Four - Shooting in the style of Cartier Bresson

Henri Cartier-Bresson (August 22, 1908 – August 3, 2004) was a French photographer and was considered the master of candid photography, and was an early user of 35 mm film. He helped develop street photography and his work has influenced many photographers. 

When Henri Cartier-Bresson would shoot on the streets, he would stay as low-key and unobtrusive as he could. I even read that he would cover his chrome Leica in black tape and even sometimes with a hankerchief to make it less noticeable when he was out shooting. Most of the images that he captured his subjects were oblivious of the camera, and thus truly candid.

Bresson applied geometry to his images poetically. If you look at the composition of his images he integrated vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lines, curves, shadows, triangles, circles, and squares to his advantage. He also paid particular attention to how he framed the image.

Bresson was a master at taking photos of children in their natural playful state, children are great subjects to shoot when it comes to street photography. Most don’t mind being in front of the camera, and often ignore it. Therefore you are able to capture their true behaviour playful, curious, and often mischievous.

Contact Sheets