Pictures should never be posed. They are 'revealed' so must be accepted as they are. Left alone.
Henri Cartier-BressonThinking should be done before and after, not during photographing. Success depends on the extent of one's general culture. one's set of values, one's clarity of mind one's vivacity. The thing to be feared most is the artificially contrived, the contrary to life.
Henri Cartier-BressonPoetry is the essence of everything, and itโs through deep contact with reality and living fully that you reach poetry. Very often I see photographers cultivating the strangeness or awkwardness of a scene, thinking it is poetry. No. Poetry is two elements which are suddenly conflict โ a spark between two elements. But itโs given very seldom, and you canโt look for it. Itโs like if you look for inspiration. No, it just comes by enriching yourself and living.
Henri Cartier-BressonThe creative act lasts but a brief moment, a lightning instant of give-and-take, just long enough for you to level the camera and to trap the fleeting prey in your little box.
Henri Cartier-Bresson