Puddle Jumper

cliveh · Nov 8, 2022

Puddle Jumper

Today, this image is easily replicated through digital freeze frame video.

But is that comparable to recording the image on film? I would say not, as it is a zen moment in time captured by human/mechanical response to that instance and so making that image unique.

BrianShaw · Nov 8, 2022

To me, no matter who took the picture or what technology/equipment was used… it’s still a boring and uninspiring image.

faberryman · Nov 8, 2022

cliveh said:
But is that comparable to recording the image on film? I would say not, as it is a zen moment in time captured by human/mechanical response to that instance and so making that image unique.

And if you didn't know how it was captured?

cliveh · Nov 8, 2022

faberryman said:
And if you didn't know how it was captured?

I would like to think I would know, but you maybe correct.

foc · Nov 8, 2022

It is easy to capture with single frame release. (film or digital)
You practice and practice........................
In fact, you can easily do it, just press the shutter before they reach the spot where they will jump.

Patrick Robert James · Nov 8, 2022

Whenever I see that image I always think about how HCB said he never cropped, and the multitudes of people who have quoted him like a god that he never cropped, except this image is cropped....

Vaughn · Nov 8, 2022

For me, the importance of the image is the wave of recognition it created in the 'decisive moment' qualities possible with film. What is important about the image is that is was seen and created then. It informed that generation and future generations of photographers.

To say, "Anyone can do that now." misses the importance of its timing (pun intended).

Whenever I see that image I always think about how HCB said he never cropped, and the multitudes of people who have quoted him like a god that he never cropped, except this image is cropped....

I have not heard photographers quoting HCB on this as gospel (discussing it, yes). Where are these mulitudes quoting HCB as if He is a god. Very odd.

gone · Nov 8, 2022

That shot was setup, it's glaringly obvious. What are the odds of someone just being in the perfect spot in the perfect moment? Slim to none, at best. I suspect many of Bresson's shots were setups. I'm not bothered by that, I still like many of his shots, but people like to create their own legend and continually feed it.

Sirius Glass · Nov 8, 2022

foc said:
It is easy to capture with single frame release. (film or digital)
You practice and practice........................
In fact, you can easily do it, just press the shutter before they reach the spot where they will jump.

That is what good photographers do.

faberryman · Nov 8, 2022

momus said:
That shot was setup, it's glaringly obvious. What are the odds of someone just being in the perfect spot in the perfect moment? Slim to none, at best. I suspect many of Bresson's shots were setups. I'm not bothered by that, I still like many of his shots, but people like to create their own legend and continually feed it.

The moon landing was faked.

Vaughn · Nov 8, 2022

faberryman said:
The moon landing was faked.

No, just the moon take-off was faked...

Philippe-Georges · Nov 9, 2022

This photograph is more than just a man jumping. He wil be landing in what he was trying to avoid, the water, and he will not keep his feet (and shoes) dry.
It's a symbol of the socio-economical situation of the French 3rd Republic during the interbellum...
This image is a not to mis understood political symbol, anchored in the European mind.

During that period, you Americans had people jumping from the buildings in the Wall street, we had people jumping to keep their feet dry (and to survive)!

Don_ih · Nov 9, 2022

While it was cropped, what was cropped was some blank frame to the left and what looks like just more water. If the lens had not been blocked, the photo might not have been cropped. Then perhaps it might not have become so well-known.

awty · Nov 9, 2022

If it were on TikTok he would of stepped into a manhole . . _

guangong · Nov 9, 2022

Louie Stettner put together an LP Famous Photographers Tell How. Among the photographers recorded, HCB discusses capturing the decisive moment, while Weegee says that the easiest picture to take is of a stiff, where one can work unhurried.

faberryman · Nov 9, 2022

Don Heisz said:
View attachment 321174

While it was cropped, what was cropped was some blank frame to the left and what looks like just more water. If the lens had not been blocked, the photo might not have been cropped. Then perhaps it might not have become so well-known.

If, if if. He cropped to make the image stronger by improving the composition.

Don_ih · Nov 9, 2022

faberryman said:
He cropped to make the image stronger by improving the composition.

Well, the fence board cropped one side of the image for him.

Philippe-Georges · Nov 9, 2022

HC-B is entitled to do with his pictures he thinks fit, who are we to judge?

faberryman · Nov 9, 2022

Philippe-Georges said:
HC-B is entitled to do with his pictures he thinks fit, who are we to judge?

We are the viewer, and therefore we judge. I went to an HCB exhibit at a Leica Store a few years ago. There were about 70 of his photographs. I judged some of them good, some of them better, and some of them best. And some of them only worthy of a certificate of participation. It was a photo exhibit not a religious shrine. I am a pretty big fan of HCB, but he is not a god. He is not even Mary Poppins.

faberryman · Nov 9, 2022

Don Heisz said:
Well, the fence board cropped one side of the image for him.

The fence board is an inanimate object and therefore did not crop one side of the image. HCB cropped one side of the image to exclude the fence board. The fence board, shockingly, was extraneous, as was the excess water at the bottom.

Philippe-Georges · Nov 9, 2022

faberryman said:
We are the viewer, and therefore we judge. I went to an HCB exhibit at a Leica Store a few years ago. There were about 70 of his photographs. I judged some of them good, some of them better, and some of them best. And some of them only worthy of a certificate of participation. It was a photo exhibit not a religious shrine. I am a pretty big fan of HCB, but he is not a god. He is not even Mary Poppins.

Don't worry, I don't have any religious feeling, nor any other, to HC-B.
Never the less, I take a rather humble attitude towards him, but absolutely no idolatry.
And yes, not all the pictures he made are of the same level, who's are, but still...
In my humble opinion, shouldn't we only consider the final cropping, if it's made by the author, instead of discussing, after seeing the original negative, if he did well or not?
Cropping a negative is so personal, I think.

And, returning to the original topic, that fence (and the so called "excessive water"): shooting in the "le moment decisieve" mode happens so horribly fast that an object standing sidewards in the way is a very normal "accident de parcours"...

VinceInMT · Nov 9, 2022

faberryman said:
The moon landing was faked.

That excursion also showed us that Hasselblads are disposable cameras.

BrianShaw · Nov 9, 2022

I had no idea that HC-B used a Hasselblad or went to the moon. Live and learn... the amount of wisdom and knowledge on this forum astounds me sometimes!

Don_ih · Nov 9, 2022

faberryman said:
The fence board is an inanimate object and therefore did not crop one side of the image.

The fence board made that portion of the negative blank - that's all I meant. In terms of what Bresson could see while pressing the shutter, the fecneboard cropped his vision, preventing it from reaching the film.

awty · Nov 9, 2022

BrianShaw said:
To me, no matter who took the picture or what technology/equipment was used… it’s still a boring and uninspiring image.

I find the same on all his pictures. Its of a place and time that has no relevance to me and he fails to give any relevance.......except of the boy caring the bottles of wine, that is possibly the best picture ever.

Puddle Jumper

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