Henri Cartier-Bresson was a French photographer born in 1908 who is considered a master of candid street photography. He began his career as a painter but switched to photography after buying his first camera in 1929. Cartier-Bresson co-founded the Magnum photo agency and is renowned for his ability to capture the decisive moment using a small camera. He believed in seizing the essence of a situation unfolding before his eyes in a single photograph. Cartier-Bresson had a long and influential career before returning to his first love of painting in later life.

1. “Above all, I craved to seize the whole essence,
in the confines of one single photograph, of
some situation that was in the process of
unrolling itself before my eyes.”
- Henri Cartier-Bresson
By: Shelby Dunfee

2.  Henri Cartier-
Bresson was born on
1908 in Chanteloup,
France.
 Studied painting
with Cubist painter
and sculptor Andre
Lhote in France.
This is a photo of Henri Cartier-
Bresson and one of his cameras.
“Google Images”

3.  While in Africa hr
changed his mind about
painting.
 First experience with a
camera was a Brownie in
1929.
 He was a prisoner-of-war
for three years.
This picture uses the rule of odds.
It shows us that they appear to be
lost by the look on their faces.
“Google Images”

4.  Experimented in film
with photographer
Paul Strand.
 Co-founded the
Magnum photo agency,
along with Capa and
Seymour.
This picture tells us that the people are
angry by the look on their faces.
“Google Images”

5.  Published his first
book, Images a la
sauvette.
 Left Magnum to
concentrate on
portraiture and
landscapes.
This photo shows Cartier-
Bresson calm and relaxed.
“Google Images”

6.  He had an exhibition of
drawings at the Carlton
Gallery, New York.
 Received Grand Prix
National de la
Photographie in Paris.
This picture expresses
the interest of the boys
compared to the adults.
“Google Images”

7.  Inauguration of the
Henri Cartier-Bresson
Foundation in 2003.
 Henri Cartier-Bresson
died in 2004.
In this photo the horse seems to be
eating the man’s hat.
“Google Images”

8.  Henri Cartier-Bresson lived from August 22, 1908 to
August 3, 2004.
 His career as a photographer began in 1931, when he
bought his first camera.
 During the mid 1970s he turned away from
photography to go back to his original passion,
painting.
This photo is meant to
emphasize joy between
the couple and in the
man jumping.
“Google Images”

9. This picture uses the rule of
space to show that the boy is
looking off.
“Google Images”

10. This is another one of his famous
photos.
“Google Images”
This is one of Cartier-Bresson’s most
famous photographgs.
“Google Images”

11. This picture shows the
innocence of a young girl
compared to the soldiers.
“Google Images”

12.  His uncle Louis Cartier-
Bresson who introduced
him to art in 1913.
 In Paris he got to know
Andre Berton who
influenced his work
during 1932 to 1934.
This photo uses rule of space.
“Google Images”

13.  John Stoddart
 Terry O’Neill
 Julia Fullerton-Batten
 Jim Marks
 Adrian Weinbrecht
This is an image by John
Stoddart. It uses the rule
of odds.
“Google Images”
This an image by Julia
Fullerton-Batten.
“Google Images”

14.  He traveled around the world as photojournalist,
trying to capture reality.
 He is famous for showing us the true actions,
emotions, and realities of human lives.
This picture uses the tip of
the boat and the tree to frame
the girl running across the
bridge.
“Google Images”

15.  Henri Cartier-Bresson
took his photos using the
decisive moment.
 This moment is when all
elements are balanced
and natural life is being
revealed.
The man in this photo is framed
between the two statues. It uses
the decisive moment.
“Google Images”

16.  Henri Cartier-Bresson has many pictures that have
been regarded as masterpieces.
This picture uses line to draw
our eye across the image.
“Google Images”

17.  This photo uses the decisive moment.
It frames the person between the
walls and the stairs.
“Google Images”
 This photo has the man framed by the
stairs. The man is on the golden point.
“Google Images”

18.  He painted from 1913 till 1931.
 Cartier-Bresson started painting around the age of 12.
 Around 1970 he turned away from photography to start
painting again.
 Henri Cartier-Bresson stated, “All I care these days is
painting, photography has never been more than a way
into painting, a sort of instant drawing.”

19. This picture of the two women
shows their anger and discomfort
in the crowded city.
“Google Images”
The photo Alicante shows the different
facial expressions and gestures.
“Google Images”

20. In this photo it shows the reality of living on
the street.
“Google Images”
This photo has discreteness
and curiousness.
“Google Images”

21. Henri Cartier-Bresson
once compared
himself to a
fisherman. The most
important thing was
to approach his catch
cautiously, and to
strike at just the right
moment. The only
difference was that the
catch was not an
animal but a chance.
This photo shows love
and happiness, it seems
as the two families are
being reunited.
“Google Images”

22.  Henri Cartier-Bresson. November 6, 2012. His
Influence on Five Photographers Web. March 11,
2013.
 Henri Cartier-Bresson 2008. DPTips-Central Web.
March 12, 2013.
 “Henri Cartier-Bresson” 2013. The Biography Channel
website. March 17, 2013.
 Henri Cartier-Bresson Quotes 2013. Good Reads Web.
March 18, 2013.
 Henri Cartier-Bresson. 2004. BBC News Timeline
Web. March 18, 2013.

23.  Henri Cartier-Bresson. Google Images Web. March 14,
2013.
 Henri Cartier-Bresson. 2010. Your Dictionary
Biography. Web. March 15, 2013.