In the midst of running some errands in the city today, I stopped at the MoMA to finally get a glance at the incredibly comprehensive Henri Cartier Bresson exhibition. Bresson was born in 1908 and lived to be almost 100 years old. He is widely considered to be the father of modern journalism. I must say walking through the exhibit was overwhelming– but I felt somehow connected to Bresson. Even though his work is prolific, far greater, and more comprehensive then my own, and much of his photographs were taken over 75 years ago, I feel very connected to the man, to his work, and to his eye.
In an era where photographers’ work are typically very specialized and stylized (something I can’t always relate to) I appreciate Bresson’s ability to just TAKE A GREAT PHOTOGRAPH– whether it’s a moment– a shadow, a bike whizzing by, trees in the wind– a portrait of a famous artist, or of a moment of great suffering.
Looking through his work I felt connected to the people and places he saw because I’ve photographed, in my limited travels (compared to his) many of the same places– industrial China, Turkish workers in Istanbul, England, and France and so on.
If you get a chance while in New York before the end of June, stop by. You’ll get an education– not only in photography, but in history, and especially in how to see.
