The decisive moment, or the art of patience
Wednesday, January 27th, 2010
For those interested in the photo at least, the concept of decisive moment made by Henri Cartier-Bresson is not unknown.
When I started photography, I have often wondered how photographers like Robert Doisneau, Steve McCurry, or just Henri Cartier-Bresson came to capture those decisive moments and with equal success. How did it for the good passing, good sunshine, or the dog that passes in the final image plane, which gives new meaning to the picture and with the compositions always impeccable. I thought that all this belonged to a little luck and the ability of the artist to "smell good shot."
By taking interest closer to some photographers, I told myself that they were really lucky and had a lot of scents. I soon realized that in fact it was not.
I realized that this whole progressing decisive moment of history was largely a matter of tenacity and perseverance. I've realized when I took the photo that I use for my exhibition "Faces of Laos" .
I walked the streets of a village, when I saw these children playing "catch me if you can." I knew I could make a good photo with all this joy and energy from this group of children. I am discreet and I am sitting in a corner of the alley. I first watched the kids for a while, then I stayed for an hour at least to start.
Of all the pictures I took of this session, only one satisfied me with a good kid with good expression, which is passed to the right place, with good characters in the background ... finally, and strength patience, I managed to get the picture I wanted and capture the moment which seemed decisive.
The decisive moment is primarily a matter of determination and perseverance. Exit to return to the right place repeatedly, note the passing of such person as cycling, such a dog and stay posted for hours to seize this moment. By taking interest in methods of work of photographers that I thought lucky and having a flair, my understanding of the decisive moment has been confirmed.
It's all about spending many hours searching for suitable locations, find the best framework, and numerous hours to wait.
A story of patience and observation ...
