Henri Cartier-Bresson

Image © PeteM2020

As I came across these trees on a bitterly cold morning in Paris, my mind instantly went back to some memorable images by celebrated French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908 -2004). Although he was an avid fan of his 35mm Leica, some of his landscape photography was done with a 4x5 large format camera – I composed and cropped my image to reflect that format.


I also took a photograph of this scene without the person in the background - it’s a different picture all together. Not at all pleasing - funny how such a small detail can make such a huge difference. (Click on the image for a larger version)

Inspired

I often find inspiration from looking through the myriad of images at Magnum Photo’s web site. My latest exploration was the B&W work of Elliot Erwitt (1928 - ), a long-standing  Magnum Photo contributor.


Erwitt is credited with having coined the phrase: “A photograph should tell a story” and his images of dogs do just that. To have a look at some of his marvellous work – click here.


B&W photography is having a revival, and I’m enjoying it.

Bird Market, Paris                Image © PeteM2020

OP-ART

Hong Kong                    Image © PeteM2020

As I took this picture, my mind went briefly back to the 60’s and the Op-Art period.  That was the time of hippies, flower power, uncomfortable furniture and soft drugs. 

Victor Vasarely is usually described as the father of the genre with the other main players being Bridget Riley, Larry Poons and Richard Anuszkiewicz.  Op-Art’s best year was 1965 which saw a definitive exhibition, ‘The Responsive Eye’, at the Museum of Modern Art, New York.

Initially, most of the works were in stark black and white, but as the style matured, colour became an integral part of the art form. Repetition, pattern and chromatic tension became Op-Art’s stylistic hallmark.

I was at the time quite taken by all this. Looking today on the Internet at those early works, I feel they look somehow a little sterile and dated. However, I am not going to let that spoil some wonderful memories from my misspent youth.

See, Learn, Do

Hong Kong, Image © PeteM2020

I recently saw an exhibition by German fashion photographer Peter Lindbergh. The 30 odd images were all chosen by one of his close friends and spanned a few years of Peter’s career.


The prints were large, imposing and superbly printed, but I was puzzled by the choice of images. Almost disappointed. Why were those pictures chosen?


Next to the gallery was a small theatre showing a ½ hour documentary of Peter working with the models and discussing his vision with the art directors. The film was fast paced and the dialogue was in English, French and German. Despite taxing my linguistic skills beyond their limits, it was easy to see why he has become the favourite photographer for many of the world’s top models. The film had a profound impact on my thinking.


I went back and looked at the exhibition again – and now, understanding the context, the images suddenly became alive. An “aha” moment!


Am I capable of emulating his style – probably not? Did I learn something – absolutely!

Antwerp, Image © PeteM2020

Contre-jour

Little did I know the word "silhouette" derives from the name of Etienne De Silhouette a French finance minister who, in 1759, was forced by France's credit crisis during the Seven Year War to impose severe economic demands upon the French people, particularly the wealthy.

Because of de Silhouette's austere economies, his name became eponymous with anything done or made cheaply. Prior to the advent of photography, silhouette profiles cut from black card were the cheapest way of recording a person's appearance.

Hong Kong 2011.   Image  © PeteM2020

In photography silhouetting occurs when there is a lighting ration of 16:1 or greater. If the image is created by natural light, the technique is often referred to as  “countre-jour”. Caught this image in a shopping arcade one evening.

Source:Wikipedia

Brugge

Image © PeteM2020

Also known as the Venice of the North, a picturesque town situated in the north-west corner of Belgium. Established as a diamond trading post in the 14th century – but now 100% tourism.

Of course, first the obligatory “tourist shot” - caught in the golden hour:

Image © PeteM2020

Having been inspired by David's “canal shots” from Venice – here is one I found in Brugge:

Image © PeteM2020

Art Saturation

Central Paris feels like being in one large art gallery. Sure, there are the well known galleries like  Musee Du Louvre and  Musee D'Orsay, but there are also  endless smaller, and often free places to visit. Caught this beauty at Le Petit Palais, Museum of Fine Arts, owned by Paris City Hall.

Image © PeteM2020

Wondering the streets on a rainy morning, I found temporary shelter in this stairwell. Despite being in a fashionable part of the city, it was rather dark and dilapidated  - none the less photogenic. All pure enjoyment. 

Image © PeteM2020