Henri Cartier Bresson’s Street Photography: Capturing Life’s Fleeting Moments

Henri Cartier Bresson is one of the most influential street photographers of all time. His style of capturing the decisive moment has inspired generations of photographers and changed the way we see the world around us. In this blog post, we’ll explore the life and work of Henri Cartier Bresson, and how his approach to street photography has influenced the art form.

Who was Henri Cartier Bresson?

Henri Cartier Bresson was a French photographer born in 1908. He is widely considered to be the father of modern photojournalism and one of the founders of the Magnum Photos agency. Cartier Bresson started taking photographs in the 1930s and quickly developed a reputation for his ability to capture candid moments in everyday life.

Henri Cartier Bresson’s Approach to Street Photography

Henri Cartier Bresson’s approach to street photography was to capture the “decisive moment”. He believed that there was a split second when everything in a scene came together perfectly, and it was the photographer’s job to capture that moment. Cartier Bresson was known for his ability to anticipate these moments and capture them with precision and clarity.

One of Cartier Bresson’s most famous photographs is “The Decisive Moment”. It shows a man jumping over a puddle in Paris, and everything in the photograph is perfectly timed and framed. This photograph has become an iconic example of the decisive moment in street photography.

Cartier Bresson’s Influence on Street Photography

Henri Cartier Bresson’s influence on street photography is undeniable. His approach to capturing the decisive moment has become the foundation of street photography, and many photographers still strive to capture moments in the same way he did.

Cartier Bresson’s legacy also lives on through Magnum Photos, the agency he co-founded in 1947. Magnum Photos is one of the most prestigious photography agencies in the world, and it continues to represent some of the best street photographers in the business.


Henri Cartier Bresson was a master of street photography, and his approach to capturing the decisive moment has influenced generations of photographers. His legacy lives on through his iconic photographs and the Magnum Photos agency he co-founded. If you’re interested in street photography, studying Cartier Bresson’s work is a must.

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