Notes on Henri Cartier-Bresson’s ‘The Decisive Moment’

• photography as a means of drawing
• life is fluid and sometimes pictures disappear
• moments; once it’s gone it’s gone
• surrealism; labelling – photojournalism
• accidental reporter
• a picture that concretes a situation; strong relation to shape, a visual pleasure
• geometry; structure; sensuous & intellectual pleasure to have things in the right place
• recognition of an order
• millimetres determine the difference between a good or mediocre picture; small but essential
• relations between placing
• photojournalism is a way of noting
• photography is about evoking
• story; a whole world in it
• repeat viewings
• portraits; question mark you put on a person; identity; subject agrees to be photographed (vs a snapshot)
• take pictures of people in their own environment; natural habitat
• not like under a microscope; people don’t act naturally when they know they’re being studied
• put the camera between the skin of a person and their shirt
• attitudes of people when they’re in front of a camera; ashamed, angry, shy, showing off
• people are naked in front of a camera
• a question of trust to publish a photo without letting the subject see it beforehand
• asking a question when taking a portrait to get their reaction; establish contact with subject
• no rule about how many pictures to take
• always questioning what’s about to happen
• over-taking pictures; instinct; fraction of a second
• like a prey; an awareness
• sensitivity; no brain
• be yourself and forget yourself; not thinking when taking a picture
• ideas are dangerous; not trying to push a point or prove something, the point comes by itself
• first impression is essential
• life is a spark between two elements
• milking the cow; lots of milk for a little bit of cheese
• no such thing as a new idea; only new arrangement of things; reexamining
• the world is both being created and falling apart every minute
• you can’t photograph everything you see
• a change of situation presents the most tension
• what is made with time will be respected by time
• it’s difficult to be lucid about places you’re already familiar with
• your mind must be open and aware
• reexamining things
• a camera is a weapon; can’t prove anything but at the same time, it is a weapon
• not propaganda tool; it’s a way of shouting the way you feel
• camera has many uses
• camera as a way to prove you were there in that moment, in that instance
• enjoyment to have seen
• an affirmation

In regards to the authoring, publishing, and distributing of photos, this documentary helps to inform Bresson’s practice and intent (referred to as theme during tutorial discussion) behind his photos. It’s noted that Nash has said they’re in no way perfect—they tend not to follow the rule of thirds but each photograph has managed to capture a story within the still image.