Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908-2004) was a French photographer considered one of the founders of modern photojournalism and a master of candid photography. He coined the term “the decisive moment,” a philosophy and style of photography that emphasizes capturing an event at the exact instant its elements come together in a visually perfect and emotionally powerful composition. A co-founder of the prestigious Magnum Photos agency, his work documented major historical events and daily life across the globe. Using a 35mm Leica camera, he became famous for his ability to be unobtrusive, shooting with a keen eye for geometry, human emotion, and the fleeting beauty of ordinary moments. His legacy profoundly influenced generations of photographers and shaped the public’s understanding of photography’s role in telling a story.
