- Joined
- Oct 9, 2010
- Messages
- 7,524
- Format
- 35mm RF
Well said.
Yes, it does. But Cartier-Bresson's arrogance was justified - probably even more so from his point of view. A photo doesn't have much going for it all on its own. Most people seem to think the camera is responsible for it. Cartier-Bresson started taking photos at a time when practically no one thought they were worth anything. So whatever could add to the mythology, the better.
Awesome article. Thank you for sharing!
On reflection, the superb sleuthing by @Alex Benjamin has explained (a) why HCB was at that location, and (b) one reason why he may have been fond of the image. But for me it doesn’t satisfactorily explain (c) why he took the photo, or (d) why he considered it good enough for this retrospective selection...
The way things are going, we may get back to this sooner rather than later.
this book also could be autographical
I'm not clear whether his travels in the USSR, China, India, etc were fishing expeditions at his own expense as you imply; or whether the Magnum cooperative issued and facilitated assignments, as implied by the WIkipedia article about HCB; or whether they were commissions from - for example - Life magazine. Maybe it was a mix of all three.These photos were taken by choice, because he had the choice. The choice to travel where he wanted, when he wanted. He had that luxury — it wasn't by assignment —, at a time when this type of travel was still possible, when it was still possible to go to China, or to the USSR, to travel throughout Europe and throughout the US, just because you wanted to see what was happening there.
Sorry for my late reply to this, Daniela. I'm afraid the answer will not help much: either side are portraits, of Bonnard and of Giacometti.@snusmumriken : can we ask you to post the photos that accompany this one, before and after?
I'm not clear whether his travels in the USSR, China, India, etc were fishing expeditions at his own expense as you imply; or whether the Magnum cooperative issued and facilitated assignments, as implied by the WIkipedia article about HCB; or whether they were commissions from - for example - Life magazine. Maybe it was a mix of all three.
I doubt that very much. The book is essentially a catalog for an exhibition held at the ICP in NY. HCB ended up donating the photo to ICP later on.Maybe the publisher mistakenly put it in there when assembling the photos.
The book is autobiographical....
Or better yet: "Tell him to check Photrio. I hear there's a good thread on the subject already."
Maybe HBC had to make a rent payment?! What do you think?
He wasn't that good as an artist. His paintings are rather primitive. He wanted to paint like Matisse, his good friend.
The photo in question is similar to his sketch style, don't you think?
@awty the photo is similar to a couple of those sketches. But, being mostly bare trees with snow on the ground, it would be hard for it not to be.
View attachment 385829 View attachment 385831
The exhibition photos (and the accompanying book) were chosen by HCB as a biographical overview of his career as of 1979.if he even made it.
the need to pass judgement on an HCB image
It’s not a question of passing judgement, it’s a question of wanting to understand.Odd what a long lasting topic this is and the need to pass judgement on an HCB image/decision, if he even made it. I have actually come to like it quite a bit.
It’s not a question of passing judgement, it’s a question of wanting to understand.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?