“Harlem, NY,” 1947. © Henri Cartier-Bresson
Though Henri Cartier-Bresson did not craft his photographic career by honing the advancements made to the medium by the advent of color film (he believed the color film of the 1950s to be too technically and esthetically limiting), other photographers carried the torch in understanding how to capture “the decisive moment” in hues that echo reality. “Cartier-Bresson: A Question of Colour,” on view until Sunday at the Somerset House in London, is a group exhibition that includes the work from photographers such as Ernst Haas, Fred Herzog, Joel Meyerowitz and Alex Webb, who brought Cartier-Bresson’s formal elements of photojournalism to life in vivid color. The exhibition includes ten photographs by Cartier-Bresson never before exhibited in the UK and 75 images from 14 internationally-recognized photographers.
–Lindsay Comstock
“Man with Bandage,” 1968. © Fred Herzog
“Madison Avenue, New York City,” 1975. © Joel Meyerowitz
“New York City, USA,” 1981. ©Ernst Haas
“Snow,” 1960. ©Saul Leiter
“Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts,” 2009. © Karl Baden
“Brooklyn, NY,” 1947. © Henri Cartier-Bresson
I feel colour is a far more difficult “medium” to work with when allowing the eye to pick out the various pieces that form the decisive moment jigsaw. Black and white, in my opinion, guides the eye far more easily. Colour require balance, for the hues to work with other and still capture the decisive moment within the framework set. Of course, if it doesn’t work in colour, you can always fallback on B&W. B&W can bring the subject(s) to the fore.
Regardless, these photographs are all timeless and beautiful in their own ways.
the Fred Herzog image is incredible.
I believe Henri Cartier-Bresson coined the phrase “the decisive moment” and these images of his are classic in their portrayal of the concept.
Almost as impressive is the Fred Herzog image.
Simply exact. Perfect.
Thanks!
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