[stuartr]

The world has lost one of its greatest artists. He was 95. There is an excellent and moving obituary for him in the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/04/ob...ARTIER.html?hp

He will be missed.

 

[rsaavedra]

Oh man sad news, and we were just talking about his photos a few days ago...

 

[The Quality Guru]

This truly is a shame. I'm what one might call an avid amateur photographer, and he was my biggest influence. Like him, my favorite place to photograph is the street, and also like him, I use a rangefinder camera. I don't use a Leica, however; rather, I use a Voigtlander R2 with Leica M glass.

His work is some of the most inspiring street photography, or just photography, ever to have been captured. For those of you who haven't seen his work, you must. When viewing his photographs, it's hard to believe that a man was even present; the subjects are so natural and oblivious to the presence of a photographer.

It's a good thing his work will live on. And so will his concept of the 'decisive moment,' so beautifully demonstrated in all of his images.

 

[rsaavedra]

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Quality Guru When viewing his photographs, it's hard to believe that a man was even present; the subjects are so natural and oblivious to the presence of a photographer.

That is so true indeed.

Here I want to paste quite a line in the NYT's article:
Quote:

...his best photographs, many of them from the 1930's, when he bore the imprint in particular of Surrealism, are among the finest works of 20th century art in any medium.

 

[eyeteeth]

Beat me to the headline, I had to track down the photos

1908-2004
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3536724.stm

He was so good that thoughts of even approaching near his level of skill were unashamedly foolish.

 

[eyeteeth]

But I must say I prefer one who descended from a similar type of photography-Robert Frank

But Henri Cartier-Bresson started the 'Decisive moment' school.

 

[stuartr]

I don't know that I would call him an inspiration for me...I think he was just too good. I can only appreciate. My own photographs are a different medium. It is like the difference between cuneiform and Shakespeare. I think my personal favorite of his (that I have seen) is the shot he took of Matisse in the painter's studio:

It is just perfect. The composition, the subject matter, the perspective. I could look at it all day.

 

[eyeteeth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stuartr I think my personal favorite of his (that I have seen) is the shot he took of Matisse in the painter's studio: It is just perfect. The composition, the subject matter, the perspective. I could look at it all day.

Yes. I always thought that was less accessible for others but a personal favorite. I've found good prints of it mesmerising.

 

[psxguy85]

Rest In Peace, good friend. I was always a fan of your work and aspired to become a photojournalist.

He had a long, eventful and accomplished life anyway. Time for him to rest.

 

[markl]

Single greatest photographer EVER.

 

[jacopo]

I'll miss him

J|!

 

[tattoou2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by psxguy85 Rest In Peace, good friend. I was always a fan of your work and aspired to become a photojournalist. He had a long, eventful and accomplished life anyway. Time for him to rest.

I couldn't have said it any better.

 

[sleepkyng]

i remember i visited the SFMOMA and they had a huge collection of his work, first time i'd ever seen it

ACTUALLY changed my life.

loved his work, wonderful to have been alive in the same time as him!

RIP

 

[cpw]

I'm a bit surprised to hear that news. I guess I thought he had already passed given the dates of his most well known work.
I saw a fantastic exhibit at MOPA in San Diego in the late 80s featuring him and Lartigue. Very impressive stuff.
His ability to convey action still makes me lust after an M6 but the impracticality of darkroom work for me means I'll stay with digital and a few med format cameras which rarely get used.

 

[Gariver]

I agree! Cartier Bresson was the best photographer ever, a true master of the art of photography!