The camera is for us a tool, not a pretty mechanical toy ... people think far too much about techniques and not enough about seeing.
Henri Cartier-BressonRead
Thinking should be done before and after, not during photographing. Success depends on the extent of one's general culture. one's set of values, one's clarity of mind one's vivacity. The thing to be feared most is the artificially contrived, the contrary to life.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Photographers should plan and reflect on their work rather than overthinking during the process. Success in photography is rooted in cultural understanding and personal values.
Henri Cartier-Bresson emphasizes the importance of preparation and reflection in photography, suggesting that true artistry comes from a deep understanding of life and one's own values. He warns against artificiality in art, advocating for a genuine connection to the subject and a clear mindset, which ultimately leads to authentic and successful photographic work.
Themes
PhotographyArtCultureValuesPreparationAuthenticity
In practice
Example use cases
In a photography workshop, to encourage participants to think carefully about their shots, this quote could be shared.
More from Henri Cartier-Bresson
All quotes →The most difficult thing for me is a portrait. You have to try and put your camera between the skin of a person and his shirt.
Henri Cartier-BressonRead
Photography has not changed since its origin except in its technical aspects, which for me are not important.
Henri Cartier-BressonRead
Photographier: c'est mettre sur la meme ligne de mire la tete, l'oeil et le coeur.
Henri Cartier-BressonRead
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-BressonRead
Pictures, regardless of how they are created and recreated, are intended to be looked at. This brings to the forefront not the technology of imaging, which of course is important, but rather what we might call the eyenology (seeing).
Henri Cartier-BressonRead
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