Henri Cartier-Bresson

Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908-2004) was a French photographer, often considered the "father of modern photojournalism", whose guidance was to capture what he called "the decisive moment".

To take a photograph means to recognize – simultaneously and within a fraction of a second– both the fact itself and the rigorous organisation of visually perceived forms that give it meaning.

It is putting one’s head, one’s eye, and one’s heart on the same axis.

His technique was to be unobtrusive, using a quiet 35mm rangefinder camera and available light. This strongly contrasted to the dramatic presence of a Weegee, who used a much larger camera and frequently artificial light from dazzling flashbulbs.