Henri Cartier-Bresson

I have become increasingly interested in Cartier-Bresson's work who's photography came to define the 20th century. Like William Klein, Cartier-Bresson started out as an artist and in his early years as a photographer he was heavily influenced by the 'surrealists'. His friend and fellow photographer Cappa advised him not to focus on the surrealist style and to project himself as a photo journalist, but remaines a surrealist at heart.

In this fascinating little video, Cartier-Bresson talks about his pre-occupation with geometry, lines and shape and that shape is essential, describing it as his 'greatest joy, a sensuous and intellectual pleasure', his love of geometry is very evident in his images, I find it so very impressive that he is able to capture the moment with all its lines and shapes and still get a great picture. On talking about portraits Cartier-Bresson touches on how difficult portraiture can be and the difference between them and a street scene, he talks about capturing that moment where you 'put the camera between the skin of the person and their shirt' which is exactly what he does so well.