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The Decisive Moment: Photography of Henri Cartier-Bresson
Cartier-Bresson’s concept of the “decisive moment” ― a split second that reveals the larger truth of a situation ― shaped modern street photography and set the stage for hundreds of photojournalists to bring the world into living rooms through magazines.
160 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1952
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2345 people want to read
About the author
Henri Cartier-Bresson
180 books227 followersHenri Cartier-Bresson was a French photographer considered to be the father of modern photojournalism, an early adopter of 35 mm format, and the master of candid photography. He helped develop the "street photography" or "real life reportage" style that has influenced generations of photographers that followed.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 23, 2020
Come si può valutare un libro che contiene alcune delle fotografie più belle del ‘900 e la cui copertina è, già da sola, un’opera d’arte disegnata espressamente per questo scopo da Henri Matisse?
Il libro definito da Robert Capa “una Bibbia per i fotografi”?
Non meno di 5* ovviamente.
Parliamo di uno dei libri più famosi nella storia della fotografia, per molti anni introvabile, che mi ha riportato indietro in un’epoca in cui le immagini di reportage erano una delle poche fonti d’informazione, se non l’unica, per gli eventi storici e per la memoria collettiva in generale.
Questa accurata riedizione dell’originale americano del 1952 è accompagnata da un interessante saggio sulla storia del libro ad opera di Clément Chéroux, da poco curatore del reparto fotografico al MoMA di New York.
A proposito del titolo, egli ci racconta che, dopo aver faticosamente scelto quello in francese (il secondo nella lista di 45 possibili alternative) - Images à la Sauvette - si doveva scegliere l’altro per l’edizione americana, in quanto non si trovava una traduzione appropriata per quella espressione idiomatica francese. Alla fine il problema fu risolto stralciando due parole dalla citazione di Jean-François Paul de Gondi, un cardinale del ‘700 noto come il Cardinale di Retz, riportata nella prefazione: There is nothing in this world that does not bear a decisive moment.
P.S.: Images à la Sauvette in italiano sarebbe qualcosa come Immagini furtive, ma non rende allo stesso modo dell’originale.
Il libro definito da Robert Capa “una Bibbia per i fotografi”?
Non meno di 5* ovviamente.
Parliamo di uno dei libri più famosi nella storia della fotografia, per molti anni introvabile, che mi ha riportato indietro in un’epoca in cui le immagini di reportage erano una delle poche fonti d’informazione, se non l’unica, per gli eventi storici e per la memoria collettiva in generale.
Questa accurata riedizione dell’originale americano del 1952 è accompagnata da un interessante saggio sulla storia del libro ad opera di Clément Chéroux, da poco curatore del reparto fotografico al MoMA di New York.
A proposito del titolo, egli ci racconta che, dopo aver faticosamente scelto quello in francese (il secondo nella lista di 45 possibili alternative) - Images à la Sauvette - si doveva scegliere l’altro per l’edizione americana, in quanto non si trovava una traduzione appropriata per quella espressione idiomatica francese. Alla fine il problema fu risolto stralciando due parole dalla citazione di Jean-François Paul de Gondi, un cardinale del ‘700 noto come il Cardinale di Retz, riportata nella prefazione: There is nothing in this world that does not bear a decisive moment.
P.S.: Images à la Sauvette in italiano sarebbe qualcosa come Immagini furtive, ma non rende allo stesso modo dell’originale.
June 12, 2014
Henri Cartier-Bresson was one of the great photographers of all time, and this is his signature book. Whether you've seen all of these images before, or you're discovering them for the first time, there is genius here. In the words, and especially in the images.
There appears to be a new republication of this book coming in the fall - specifically one with a large size and without prints across the bind, which HCB notoriously hated. You may want to do as I do - check this one out from the library from time to time, and get ready to buy the upcoming reprint.
There appears to be a new republication of this book coming in the fall - specifically one with a large size and without prints across the bind, which HCB notoriously hated. You may want to do as I do - check this one out from the library from time to time, and get ready to buy the upcoming reprint.
May 10, 2016
The title of the book is perfect. Cartier is one of he big masters of photography. If you are a professional or an amateur photographer I think you will find this book very inspirational because he talks about taking the photo at the right time, the camera and technicalities are extra but not the most important part in photography which is your eye and the timing, the perfect timing.
April 5, 2020
Really inspired by Cartier-Bresson's images. This guy just captured a look into the mid 20th-century that you rarely see in such detail. His pictures are snapshots of life and they all seem naturally taken, he had a gift for capturing, that's for sure. When you've spent time studying Art theory you realize the subtleties in the layout and tone of the photograph. You guess the time of day, the age of the subjects, the situations. Photographs and the study of photography are so interesting as you kind of unravel the world within the picture and the marvel at how perfect of a shot is captured in that moment.
Personal favourites were: Square of the Vert Galant and Pont-Neuf, Ile de la Cité, Paris, for the symmetry and the way the island of trees is completely centre, it's just fun to look at. Also the Schoolchildren looking from the top of Notre Dame Cathedral at the Seine River because I think it's such a layered image. It doesn't just have the personal moment of the two kids embracing but also the city of 1952 Paris stretching out infront of them. I also love the New York photographs in this collection, of the man with the reflection of the skyline in the window, it's a shockingly iconic style for 1959 and the background of the Times Square image is familiar to me because I bought a retro poster in Ellis Island which has that exact building in it.
I used to never scrutinise artworks and photography for fun, it was always a chore in art class but I began to enjoy it this year and it's something I do instinctually now. I got the feel for it and I've been learning about different artists and photographers to expand my view. It's really interesting.
This is a man who has been all over the world during his time and seen and documented incredible scenes and cultures through photojournalism and it shows. He has this natural talent for capturing moments before they pass and reviewing his images is amazing to see a snippet into the past. One of my favourite 20th-century photographers by far.
Personal favourites were: Square of the Vert Galant and Pont-Neuf, Ile de la Cité, Paris, for the symmetry and the way the island of trees is completely centre, it's just fun to look at. Also the Schoolchildren looking from the top of Notre Dame Cathedral at the Seine River because I think it's such a layered image. It doesn't just have the personal moment of the two kids embracing but also the city of 1952 Paris stretching out infront of them. I also love the New York photographs in this collection, of the man with the reflection of the skyline in the window, it's a shockingly iconic style for 1959 and the background of the Times Square image is familiar to me because I bought a retro poster in Ellis Island which has that exact building in it.
I used to never scrutinise artworks and photography for fun, it was always a chore in art class but I began to enjoy it this year and it's something I do instinctually now. I got the feel for it and I've been learning about different artists and photographers to expand my view. It's really interesting.
This is a man who has been all over the world during his time and seen and documented incredible scenes and cultures through photojournalism and it shows. He has this natural talent for capturing moments before they pass and reviewing his images is amazing to see a snippet into the past. One of my favourite 20th-century photographers by far.
March 22, 2021
I think it is an amazing book even though it is expensive. But the valuable information it provides and the forms makes you really feel like you are holding a piece of history. It would be a great gift for any photographer but especially for someone shooting street or documentary style. In case they don’t already have it.
Check out the video review
This new print of the book has a hardback and extra hard case to house the book itself and a pamphle.The book was published in 1952 originally titled /Images à la Sauvette/(“images on the run”) in the French, published in English with a new title, /The Decisive Moment/. The book is pretty big. Even without the case it is the biggest book I own. It is 37 by 27 cms so the ratio works for photographs of 24 by 36 photographic film Cartier-Bresson used. Each page can fit one horizontal photograph or two vertical ones. The pages are stitched in a way that allows proper flat opening. It has 160 pages with 126 photographs and weights over 2,5 kg.
Check out the video review
This new print of the book has a hardback and extra hard case to house the book itself and a pamphle.The book was published in 1952 originally titled /Images à la Sauvette/(“images on the run”) in the French, published in English with a new title, /The Decisive Moment/. The book is pretty big. Even without the case it is the biggest book I own. It is 37 by 27 cms so the ratio works for photographs of 24 by 36 photographic film Cartier-Bresson used. Each page can fit one horizontal photograph or two vertical ones. The pages are stitched in a way that allows proper flat opening. It has 160 pages with 126 photographs and weights over 2,5 kg.
October 20, 2017
Henri Cartier-Bresson and W. Eugene Smith are the greatest Photographers for me. Fuckin get this book and live in it . Meaning - Truth and Beauty will shake and hold you and remind you what it means to be alive here.
February 4, 2022
The book was amazing. It provided insights into HCB's sentiments on most things I would want to know in the companion book provided with the main volume. I have learned so much in dissecting his work. It was such a joy to read this very insightful material.
August 9, 2017
Most comprehensive in so few words. A must read for any photo enthusiast.
November 14, 2017
The legendary book. Love all the work by HCB. The book is well finished with thick and very nice texture paper. And it’s huge!
April 28, 2019
Henri Cartier-Bresson has a climacteric ability of framing the constant rearrangement of life to capture the moments of poetry.
December 28, 2019
Such beautiful work by the master.
October 1, 2020
I wish I could give this book 500 stars
August 27, 2021
It is an amazing photo book even though it is expensive. It would be a great gift for any photographer but especially for someone shooting street or documentary style.
March 31, 2023
Absolutely Amazing. In awe of this
February 24, 2025
Masterful images from the master himself. By this book as a gift to yourself. You'll be glad you did.
July 26, 2025
Dit boek is mijn bijbel
Read
November 24, 2015To say that it's incredible that this book got printed again would be an understatement. Steidl, as with all the books that they print, did an amazing job with Cartier-Bresson's The Decisive Moment. I ordered the book from Germany a few months ago, just after it was reprinted, and it arrived in California in just 3 days, without me specifying some expedite shipping.
I went through the photographs over and over again and I couldn't be more grateful for the addition of the booklet by Clément Chéroux who explains in detail how The Decisive Moment was created. The first half of the book has photographs from Europe and North America, while the second half deals with the Orient. It's also, partially, a split by "before Magnum" and "after Magnum". The most famous of Cartier-Bresson's photographs are in the first half, and, in my opinion, they're also the most "technical" and focused on geometry of his work. The photographs on the Orient seem more busy and chaotic, which I'm sure is because of the feel of the place itself.
The text at the beginning of the book is written by Cartier-Bresson himself. It's interesting and exciting that he chose to write his own introduction when most photographers had their introduction written by famous writers of the time (Jean-Paul Sartre for example had been considered as a potential writer for the introduction to The Decisive Moment, similar to how Jack Kerouac wrote one for Robert Frank's The Americans) For an amateur photographer, it was surely inspiring to read what Cartier-Bresson had to say about photography, even after watching probably dozens of tiny films or documentaries with or about him.
I went through the photographs over and over again and I couldn't be more grateful for the addition of the booklet by Clément Chéroux who explains in detail how The Decisive Moment was created. The first half of the book has photographs from Europe and North America, while the second half deals with the Orient. It's also, partially, a split by "before Magnum" and "after Magnum". The most famous of Cartier-Bresson's photographs are in the first half, and, in my opinion, they're also the most "technical" and focused on geometry of his work. The photographs on the Orient seem more busy and chaotic, which I'm sure is because of the feel of the place itself.
The text at the beginning of the book is written by Cartier-Bresson himself. It's interesting and exciting that he chose to write his own introduction when most photographers had their introduction written by famous writers of the time (Jean-Paul Sartre for example had been considered as a potential writer for the introduction to The Decisive Moment, similar to how Jack Kerouac wrote one for Robert Frank's The Americans) For an amateur photographer, it was surely inspiring to read what Cartier-Bresson had to say about photography, even after watching probably dozens of tiny films or documentaries with or about him.
May 11, 2013
Inspiring. And so he did. Inspire, that is. Several generations of photographers. It's so sad that there has been this attempt by postmodern theorists to lump his work into the Modernist canon to be de-constructed and debunked. A great loss, but there are many photographers and photography lovers out there who can see through the bullshit, and will continue to revere this great maker of profound and sublime images.
January 27, 2011
The same eye that make me fall in love with photography
If you have $ 3500 you can bought the first edition of this copy.
but if you don't have the money watch the video
on
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSCNDm...
cheers
If you have $ 3500 you can bought the first edition of this copy.
but if you don't have the money watch the video
on
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSCNDm...
cheers
December 22, 2011
No need a word. His photos are amazingly inspirational. Open any page to find his grip of decisive moments. Full of wisdom from a great photographer and wise human being.
October 8, 2012
The unbearable "light"-ness of photographing... Here comes the account form one of the masters of it of all times. A must read for book lovers...
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews