the decisive moment, cartier-bresson

dsc_3016

while F prefers the action above, I find solace in the mountains below

Perhaps you already know about the iconic photographer of the 20th century, Henri Cartier-Bresson, who spoke about taking photographs – “it is putting one’s head, one’s eye, and one’s heart on the same axis.”   Till last weekend, I didn’t know him until I casually picked up a new book by Clément Chéroux documenting Cartier-Bresson’s life through his images.  Since that day last week, the book stayed close to me in the bag as I pulled it out during moments of pause to start at how he looked at the world, with conscience, honesty and beauty.  Learning about him in the last days had reminded me of my love for travel, my curiosity for the lives of others and my need to be surrounded by art.  All things necessary for well-being, for mine at least.

His out-of-print book, The Decisive Moment published in 1952 is now a prized collector’s item costing up to USD1400 per copy.  Just like how I fantasize for that Herve Leger dress I naughtily wore  in a boutique’s dressing room, this is a book I would wish to own.

Lucky for us all, we can take a virtual peek into the book here.   And more about Henri Cartier-Bresson at the Fondation HCB.