“For me the camera is a sketch book, an instrument of intuition and spontaneity, the master of the instant which in visual terms, questions and decides simultaneously. In order to give a meaning to the world, one has to feel involved in what one frames through the viewfinder. This attitude requires concentration, discipline of mind, sensitivity and a sense of geometry. It is by economy of means that one arrives at simplicity of expression"
~ Henri Cartier-Bresson
(1908 - 2004)
Henri was concerned about the fast modernization and rampant urbanization of his beloved France and wanted to document the small town life of simplicity and community he feared would soon disappear and be forever altered in the name of “progress”. He ventured to the hill top town of Simiane-la-rotonde and created one of his most beautiful and gentle images. With his gift of composition how did he see a theme of pairings with the two boys in the foreground, the two girls in the upper left and the two men in the upper right hand side talking and freezing this moment before anyone moved to destroy the the overall harmony and mood. Pure genius.
