Henri Cartier Bresson: A Photo Offers Itself.
27/08/12 12:17 Filed in: Photography & Art
A photograph is neither taken nor seized by force. It offers itself up. It is the photo that takes you. One must not take photos. (Henri Cartier-Bresson)
You might have experienced walking with your camera in a forest, on a beach or in a city and suddenly you see it, take up your camera and shoot. It’s like a composition hits you. Or you suddenly have the feeling you need to turn around and there it is, the photo, the wonderful sunset that made you turn around, although you didn’t see it, it made you turn around, the photo tapped on your shoulder, it offered itself to you and you love it. Its that kind of photo we call a “perfect photo”.
Essentially it is the light that creates the photo and your role is to listen, see and press the shutter.
Sit still and sense what photo is tapping on your shoulder right now. Look at it.
Ute Sonnenberg for www.rohoyachui.com