# Oh, Shoot! Henri Cartier-Bresson dies at 95! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 4, 2004, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shoot-henri-cartier-bresson-dies-at-95/258320 "2004-08-04T17:38:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2004, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shoot-henri-cartier-bresson-dies-at-95/258320/1 "2004-08-04T17:38:53Z")
PARIS (AP) – Legendary photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson, who traveled the world for more than a half century capturing human drama on film, has died in France, French media reported Wednesday. He was 95. Cartier-Bresson shot for Life, Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar magazines and his work inspired generations of photographers. Cartier-Bresson became a French national treasure, though he was famously averse to having his own picture taken or to giving interviews. While most of his international fame was generated from worldwide exhibitions and publications, Cartier-Bresson gained recognition from two documentary films he made about medical aid to the loyalists in the Spanish Civil War and about French prisoners of war returning home at the end of World War II. Cartier-Bresson was born Aug. 22, 1908, in Chanteloup outside Paris to a wealthy textile family. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2004, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shoot-henri-cartier-bresson-dies-at-95/258320/2 "2004-08-05T02:31:04Z")
_No_ photography fans here?! ---
**Author:** ![Ilsa\_Lund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a6a055/32.png) [@Ilsa\_Lund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ilsa_Lund)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2004, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shoot-henri-cartier-bresson-dies-at-95/258320/3 "2004-08-05T03:15:27Z")
At least one. The man was a god with a Leica M3. [This](http://www.afterimagegallery.com/bressonhyeres.htm) is one of my favorite photographs ever. ---
**Author:** ![Ilsa\_Lund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a6a055/32.png) [@Ilsa\_Lund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ilsa_Lund)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2004, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shoot-henri-cartier-bresson-dies-at-95/258320/4 "2004-08-05T03:16:36Z")
Although he took that with a Leica screwmount. ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2004, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shoot-henri-cartier-bresson-dies-at-95/258320/5 "2004-08-05T03:17:29Z")
I confess, **Eve** , I was vaguely familiar with his name but I wasn’t sure if I was familiar with his work. Fortunately, he’s quite accessable on the web, and this [page](http://www.npg.si.edu/exh/cb/index-int2.htm) is one among many that showcases some of his amazing, sophisticated works. He had a nice, long life. And left us some beautiful photography. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2004, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shoot-henri-cartier-bresson-dies-at-95/258320/6 "2004-08-05T03:21:45Z")
Oh my. A passing of another great master. How did I miss this news? It seems we’ve lost a few in the past few years (Helmut Newton, Herb Ritts, Yousuf Karsh). Luckily, I had a chance to see him two years ago at the opening of one of his exhibits in Budapest. Here’s to a pioneer photographer, a great artist, a lover of life. We’ll miss you. ---
**Author:** ![Number](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/number/32/242_2.png) [@Number](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Number)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2004, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shoot-henri-cartier-bresson-dies-at-95/258320/7 "2004-08-05T03:40:30Z")
That is a shame. For several years my father has been photographing famous photographers. He corresponded with Cartier-Bresson but was never able to get him to agree to a session. I guess it’s too late now. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2004, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shoot-henri-cartier-bresson-dies-at-95/258320/8 "2004-08-05T04:05:34Z")
It’s not too late, it’ll just be harder to pose him. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2004, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shoot-henri-cartier-bresson-dies-at-95/258320/9 "2004-08-05T04:22:31Z")
Has anyone else noticed the striking similarity between the young Truman Capote at **Yosemite** ’s link and David Hyde-Pierce (Niles Crane)? Amazing! ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2004, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shoot-henri-cartier-bresson-dies-at-95/258320/10 "2004-08-05T06:13:40Z")
I wonder what made him snap? ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2004, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shoot-henri-cartier-bresson-dies-at-95/258320/11 "2004-08-05T06:47:53Z")
Sad. I’ve always liked his work. I saw him in one of his _rare_ interviews on “60 Minutes” about 10 years ago. Very talented, interesting individual. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2004, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shoot-henri-cartier-bresson-dies-at-95/258320/12 "2004-08-05T15:41:40Z")
THanks for this thread, Eve. I went to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago for photography, and Cartier-Bresson was one of my early inspirations. Although now I’m ashamed to say I sometimes mix up in my mind his pictures with [Andre](http://www.skjstudio.com/kertesz/images/kertesz13.jpg) [Kertesz.](http://www.lentos.at/img/Kertesz_4929_l.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2004, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shoot-henri-cartier-bresson-dies-at-95/258320/13 "2004-08-06T00:34:17Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > It’s not too late, it’ll just be harder to pose him. I find it much easier. Wasn’t he the guy who took the photo of the guy just as he was being shot? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2004, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shoot-henri-cartier-bresson-dies-at-95/258320/14 "2004-08-06T03:12:59Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > I find it much easier. > > Wasn’t he the guy who took the photo of the guy just as he was being shot? That’s Robert Capa you’re thinking of…if it’s the death of a Spanish soldier. Unless you’re talking about the Vietnam execution photo. Then you’re talking about Eddie Adams. ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2004, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shoot-henri-cartier-bresson-dies-at-95/258320/15 "2004-08-06T15:02:06Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > I find it much easier. > > Wasn’t he the guy who took the photo of the guy just as he was being shot? All of his pictures of people are just as they’re being shot. what possesses me to be so incredibly lame sometimes? ---
**Author:** ![photopat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e95f7d/32.png) [@photopat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/photopat)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2004, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shoot-henri-cartier-bresson-dies-at-95/258320/16 "2004-08-06T15:09:56Z")
That was sad news, although to be honest, I thought he had already died. His “decisive moment” shots certainly were an inspiration to countless photographers. ---
**Author:** ![Gotterfunken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/58956e/32.png) [@Gotterfunken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gotterfunken)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2004, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shoot-henri-cartier-bresson-dies-at-95/258320/17 "2004-08-06T15:30:44Z")
Cartier-Bresson also did some photography during the Spanish Civil War, but **pulykamell** is right–the famous [Death of a Loyalist Militiaman](http://www.temple.edu/photo/photographers/spring03/photographers/clay/Seminar/Robert%20Capa/CapaDeath.htm) was shot (no pun intended) by Capa. As for Cartier-Bresson, here are his portraits of a couple of my favorite philosophers: [Sartre](http://www.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2003/jul/cbresson/sartre.html) and [Camus](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/museums/photogallery/bresson/camus.jpg), either one with his preferred accessory (pipe or cigarette, respectively). ---
**Author:** ![kka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/54ee81/32.png) [@kka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kka)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2004, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shoot-henri-cartier-bresson-dies-at-95/258320/18 "2004-08-06T17:43:59Z")
I’m a huge fan of photography. We also lost Helmut Newton this year. Henri was incredibly talented and undoubtedly changed the art of photography. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2004, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shoot-henri-cartier-bresson-dies-at-95/258320/19 "2004-08-06T18:10:27Z")
I just wanted to quickly link to some of my favorites. [There’s the famous “Behind the Gare St. Lazare”](http://www.natures-pencil.co.uk/heroes/cbresson.htm), possibly his most famous work, but certainly the most illustrative of his “decisive moment” philosophy. [“Rue Mouffetard, Paris, 1952” one of Bresson’s characteristic slice-of-life Parisian photographs. [url=“[http://www.photology.com/bresson/Foto21.htm"]"Hyres](http://www.photology.com/bresson/Foto21.htm%22%5D%22Hyres), France, 1932”]([http://digilander.libero.it/rosmalt/bresson.jpg](http://digilander.libero.it/rosmalt/bresson.jpg)) Another great example of capturing the decisive moment, with impeccible graphic composition and wonderful tonal range. [“The Bargeman on the River Seine”](http://www.simons-rock.edu/~dand/Photo%20Slide%20Review/images/14.HCB-Barge.jpg) This is not a terribly good scan of it, but once again, the composition is amazing, the faces (check out the dog), the moment is there. Perfect. [And this nude, perhaps my favorite ever by any photographer](http://www.nital.it/sguardi/17/images/nudo/09_cartierbresson.jpg) And if you’re a photographer who doesn’t know who Bresson is, get yourself to a library stat. While you’re there, check out work by Andre Kertesz and Brassai. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2004, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shoot-henri-cartier-bresson-dies-at-95/258320/20 "2004-08-07T01:24:55Z")
> [@Skopo](#): > > Cartier-Bresson also did some photography during the Spanish Civil War, but **pulykamell** is right–the famous [Death of a Loyalist Militiaman](http://www.temple.edu/photo/photographers/spring03/photographers/clay/Seminar/Robert%20Capa/CapaDeath.htm) was shot (no pun intended) by Capa. That’s the one I was thinking of. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-shoot-henri-cartier-bresson-dies-at-95/258320.md?page=2)