Henri Cartier-BressonWine Grower of Touraine, France 1946

Who is the practitioner (what is their name?) and when were they practicing?

Henri Cartier-Bresson was a photographer active from 1932-1968. His initial interest was painting however, took an interest in photography from 1932. From 1968 onwards, he returned his focus to drawing and painting (Magnum Photos n.d).

What is the title of the photo or video you have chosen to analyse (can you provide a link?) 

I have chosen to analyse the photograph titled ‘Wine Grower of Touraine’.  I retrieved this photograph from the following website: https://www.moma.org/collection/works/50115

With the photo or video, you are examining when was it produced (date)?

This photograph was taken in France during 1946.

How was the photo or video authored?

Henri is known for using a 50mm lens on his Leica 35mm rangefinder camera (Theme 2014). Therefore, it can be assumed that this photo was taken using that camera. This photo appears to be a posed photo rather than it being a spontaneous photo that captures a landscape or occasion like his other work.  As this is taken on a film camera, in order to publish the photo, the film must first be developed.

How was the photo or video published?

This particular photo features in the 1947 exhibition titled ‘The Photographs of Henri Cartier-Bresson’ held at The Museum of Modern Art, New York. In turn, the photograph was printed. MoMA (n.d) reveals that the photo was printed in 1947 using the gelatin silver print process, with dimensions of 49.4 x 32.9 cm. Pictured below are images of the exhibition. It can be noted that the photos on display are large and so, the original photo would have been enlarged. Therefore, Henri would have to consider how the photo would look in an enlarged form. This may entail ensuring it is correctly focused and framed in order to guide a person’s viewing of the photo.

(MoMA)

How was the photo or video distributed?

Furthermore, the chosen photo as well as the other ones featured in the exhibition, would have been distributed through the accompanying exhibition book. 

(MoMA)

Therefore, people who went to the exhibition would be able to purchase a copy of the book in order to remember the exhibition. Or, people who weren’t able to attend the exhibition would still be able to look at the photos through purchasing the book. In turn, this book would be able to reach a large audience as not only can the owners of the book look at it, but anyone else who has access to a book would be able to view the photographs too.

References:

Magnum Photos n.d, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Magnum Photos, viewed 1 April 2019 <https://www.magnumphotos.com/photographer/henri-cartier-bresson/>.

MoMa n.d, The Photographs of Henri Cartier Bresson, MoMa, viewed 1 April 2019, <https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/2703?>.

Theme 2014, Don’t Just Shoot 50mm Because Henri Cartier-Bresson Did So, Theme, viewed 1 April 2019, <https://the.me/dont-just-shoot-50mm-because-henri-cartier-bresson-did-so/>.