Lessons from Henri Cartier-Bresson

What camera did Henri Cartier Bresson use?

Henri Cartier Bresson famously shot with a Leica 35 mm rangefinder camera with a 50mm lens.

Henri Cartier Bresson taught me how to frame and how to use composition in street photography. If you study Bresson’s work you can see how much his artistic background influences the way he sees imagery through the lens.

To me, Cartier Bresson is one of the all-time greatest photographers and if you’re new to documentary or street photography, I think he is one of the most important photographers to study. If you’re interested in learning from the greats in photography, browse the online photography courses.

Books by Henri Cartier Bresson

I have previously written about my favorite photography books and in this list, you will also find HCB´s Decisive Moment, the bible of photo books. 

Though that book has become a collector’s item and is now going for 500 dollars, I’d instead recommend his book“Photographer” or“Paris Revisited” both extraordinary books by the godfather of photography. 

As mentioned previously, what drew me to Cartier Bresson was his magnificent composition.

The photography techniques he uses to frame a photograph like:

• Juxtaposition

• Leading lines

• Rules of Thirds

• Rule of odds and so on.

I think collectors and photography enthusiasts will still praise Mr Bresson’s work over the next hundred years and for good reason.

Henri Cartier Bresson’s story

Cartier-Bresson was known for his ability to capture the decisive moment, a split-second of perfect timing when all the elements in a photograph align to create a powerful and meaningful image. His photographs often depicted candid moments and ordinary people, and his work had a profound influence on the development of documentary photography.

Throughout his career, Cartier-Bresson traveled extensively and captured images of people and cultures worldwide. He had a keen eye for composition and was skilled at using light and shadow to create depth and contrast in his images. His photographs were often characterized by their simplicity and elegance, and his use of geometry and pattern made a sense of balance and harmony in his work.

Some of Cartier-Bresson’s most famous images include “Behind the Gare Saint-Lazare”, a photograph of a man jumping over a puddle, “Gandhi at his Spinning Wheel”, a portrait of the Indian leader, and “Hyères, France”, a photograph of a young boy carrying two bottles. His work was celebrated for its ability to capture the beauty and complexity of the world around us, and he was praised for his ability to find the extraordinary in the ordinary.

Cartier-Bresson also published several books on photography, including “The Decisive Moment” and “Images à la Sauvette”, which was published in English as “The Mind’s Eye”. These books remain influential today and are considered essential reading for anyone interested in photography.

In conclusion, Henri Cartier-Bresson was a remarkable photographer who revolutionized the field of photojournalism and street photography. His ability to capture the decisive moment and his keen eye for composition and light continue to inspire photographers around the world. His work serves as a testament to the power of photography to capture the beauty and complexity of the world around us.

Facts about the Henri Cartier Bresson

1. Failed Painter Before Becoming a Photographer

Cartier-Bresson initially pursued a career as a painter, heavily influenced by surrealism. However, after struggling to find his voice in painting, he discovered photography and applied surrealist principles to his compositions.

2. First Leica Had a Fashion Connection

Henri Cartier-Bresson acquired his first Leica camera while vacationing in Côte d'Ivoire. It was recommended to him by a friend in the fashion industry, who thought it suited his interest in capturing candid moments.

3. Captured Gandhi’s Last Moments

He was the only photographer to document Mahatma Gandhi just hours before his assassination in 1948. He also photographed Gandhi’s funeral, creating some of the most iconic images of the event.

4. War Prisoner Turned Escapist

During World War II, he was captured by German soldiers and spent 35 months in a prisoner-of-war camp. He escaped on his third attempt, a dramatic ordeal that shaped his later life and work.

5. Hidden Surrealist Symbolism

Though known for his photojournalism, Cartier-Bresson’s work is laced with surrealist influences. Many of his compositions include hidden symbols, playful juxtapositions, and dream-like elements, reflecting his early surrealist roots.

6. The Myth of the Decisive Moment

The term "decisive moment" was popularized by Cartier-Bresson, but he never fully explained what it meant. Many believe it was as much about the photographer’s intuition and timing as it was about the narrative quality of the image.

7. Avoided Cropping at All Costs

Cartier-Bresson was adamant about not cropping his images. He believed the frame should be composed perfectly in-camera. In fact, many of his prints include the edges of the film strip as proof of his precision.

8. Hated Being Called a Photographer

Cartier-Bresson disliked the label "photographer." He preferred to call himself a "visual storyteller" or even a painter, as he believed photography was merely one medium for expressing his artistic vision.

9. Quit Photography for Painting

In the 1970s, Cartier-Bresson largely abandoned photography to return to his first love: painting. He believed he had said everything he needed to with his camera and wanted to focus on other forms of artistic expression.

10. Founded Magnum Photos for Independence

Cartier-Bresson co-founded Magnum Photos in 1947 with Robert Capa, George Rodger, and David "Chim" Seymour. This cooperative agency was a radical idea, giving photographers control over their own work, including how and where it was published.

11. Candid Portraits of Celebrities

Cartier-Bresson’s portfolio includes spontaneous portraits of cultural icons like Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Marilyn Monroe. Unlike traditional portraits, he captured these figures in natural, unguarded moments.

12. Preferred Black Tie to Blend In

Henri sometimes wore a suit or black tie while photographing. He believed dressing well helped him blend into events and avoid suspicion, especially during high-society gatherings.

13. Stealthy Approach

Cartier-Bresson mastered the art of shooting without being noticed. He would often tape over his Leica’s shiny parts to make the camera less conspicuous, enabling him to work invisibly. This is the exact opposite approach of famous street photographer Bruce Davidson.

14. Refused to Sign Prints

He rarely signed his prints, believing that his work spoke for itself. For collectors and curators, obtaining a signed Cartier-Bresson print was an elusive achievement.

15. Hated Flash Photography

Cartier-Bresson was vehemently against using flash, calling it "impolite...like coming to a concert with a pistol." He believed in using natural light to preserve the authenticity of a moment.

Henri Cartier-Bresson’s life and work are a testament to his unwavering commitment to art, intuition, and capturing humanity’s fleeting yet profound moments.

Make sure to read about Robert Frank, Joel Meyerowitz, Alexey Titarenko, and Vivian Maier.