Henri Cartier-Bresson

22 August 1908 – 3 August 2004

Henri Cartier-Bresson was a French photographer considered a master of candid photography and a pioneer of street photography. He coined the concept of the 'decisive moment' and co-founded the Magnum Photos cooperative in 1947.

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Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Henri Cartier-Bresson.

Life events

Born in Chanteloup-en-Brie, France
22 August 1908

Born into a wealthy French family whose textile business was well established.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Studied painting under André Lhote
1927 – 1928

Trained in painting in Paris, an influence that shaped his sense of composition.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Adopted the Leica 35mm camera and turned to photography
1932

The small, quiet Leica became central to his candid documentary style.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Prisoner of war during World War II
1940 – 1943

Captured by German forces in 1940, he escaped after nearly three years and joined the French Resistance.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Co-founded Magnum Photos
1947

Helped establish the photographers' cooperative alongside Robert Capa, David Seymour and others.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Published The Decisive Moment
1952

His influential photo book articulated his philosophy of capturing fleeting moments.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Largely returned to drawing and painting
1975

In his later decades he stepped back from photojournalism to focus on drawing.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Established the Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson
2003

Created with his wife Martine Franck to preserve and exhibit his work.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died in Montjustin, France
3 August 2004

Died at the age of 95 in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓