Henri Cartier-Bresson
Who is the practitioner (what is their name?) and when were they practising?
Henri Cartier-Bresson was a French photographer born in 1903. He was one of the founding members of Magnum Photos which opened it’s doors in 1947. Cartier-Bresson’s image-based practice began in 1920 when he studied painting. In 1929 he become acquainted his first camera, in 1931 started to draw inspiration from the the surrealist movement and then, in 1933 he hosted his first exhibition in New York. His photography career remained fruitful up until his retirement from the field in the early 1970’s, after which he directed his passion towards drawing. A master of his craft, Cartier-Bresson captured some of the biggest global events and is considered the pioneer of candid, street photography.
What is the title of the photo or video you have chosen to analyse (can you provide a link?)
The title of the photo I have chosen to analyse is apart of Henri Cartier-Breeson’s ‘MEXICO’ collection, captured in Calle Cuauhtemoctzin, titled Prostituees, 1934. The streets of Mexico is where the photographer honed his signature style.
With the photo or video, you are examining when was it produced (date)?
This photo was produced in 1934, a more specific date is unknown.
How was the photo or video authored?
Although it is impossible to claim exactly how the photo was authored, we can make some inferences based upon known information about Cartier-Breeson’s methods. For instance, he predominantly used 35 mm photography and was known for using only one camera, a Leica rangefinder, and one lens, a 50mm, for almost all of his work. Cartier-Breeson has been quoted as saying “Once the picture is in the box, I’m not all that interested in what happens next.” Despite his disinterest in the post production stages, this image would have been produced by extracting the film and developing it in a dark room.
How was the photo or video published?
This print was published as a gelatin silver print then framed. This publishing process requires the photographer to consider light sensitivity when capturing images. We can see in this image, Cartier-Breeson has capitalised on the dark shades that frame the women, this draws our eye to see them in heightened detail.
How was the photo or video distributed?
After 1935, this work was shown in major exhibits in Mexico, New York and Madrid. His commercial success at the time intrigued the masses and propelled his career into new fields.
Fast forward to today his photos are available for consumption online through the Magnum Photographs portal. Viewers are able to purchase a high resolution image or downloaded then for free with a watermark. This photo may not be cropped, trimmed, modified or retouched in reproduction. His vintage originals are now sold for thousands of dollars, the bidding for this image on the Artsy network has now closed.
Bibliography:
- Magnum Photos Pro, Henri-Cartier Bresson, viewed 11 April 2020, https://www.magnumphotos.com/photographer/henri-cartier-bresson/
- Artsy Network, Henri-Cartier Bresson, viewed 11 April 2020, https://www.artsy.net/artist/henri-cartier-bresson
- Expert Photography, Henri-Cartier Bresson, viewed 11 April 2020, https://expertphotography.com/top-10-henri-cartier-bresson-quotes/
- Biography, Henri Cartier-Bresson Biography Photographer, Filmmaker (1908–2004), viewed 11 April 2020, https://expertphotography.com/top-10-henri-cartier-bresson-quotes/