Ex 10: Moment and gesture

Most photographers quickly become aware of Henri Cartier-Bresson and the idea of the 'decisive moment'  but it is only when you yourself try to capture it, do you realise how difficult and elusive that moment can prove to be and therefore what a genius Bresson was.

Rue Mouffetard, 1954

I love the expression – the boy looks as pleased as punch carrying his bottles.

FRANCE. The Var department. Hyères.

Chance or staged to get the cyclist at that precise moment. Who knows but the skill is in seeing the potential of the shot, the stairs leading the viewer down to the street, the sweep of the road and the cyclist travelling in the same direction as the curves and lines in the photograph take the eye. Genius!

Looking at the two parts to photographing the moment, deciding what it should be can be achieved by observation, patience, sometimes luck and being in the right place at the right time but capturing it can be a totally different challenge — frustrating, disappointing but ultimately rewarding when you get a good shot.

A controlled photoshoot with a relaxed model can certainly yield great results as the subject acts and poses as requested. But candid photography relies on the observational skills and quick thinking of the photographer and indeed the camera! Many times I have seen 'the shot' but have been too slow to capture it or didn't have the camera on suitable settings. I do think Bresson and his contemporaries had a slight advantage shooting film. A click and the shot was instantaniously recorded on film. I have found the delay on my SLR, slight as it is, enough to miss the precise moment I hoped to capture.

 My niece, Skye, cuddling teddy, unaware I am photographing her.

Seconds later she spots me and immediately plays to the camera!

My post featuring the singer Horse also explores capturing moment and gesture.