Henri Cartier Bresson

Wondering why I’ve not blogged for so long – its not like the opportunity didn’t present itself, or there was lack of topic (there never can be with someone like me, who just loves to talk – if there is no interlocutor, then I can even talk to myself - LOL!)...but somehow I never got around to blogging – about Ma’s problem with vertigo…or how that damned aquarium, my bro has got, broke this Tuesday, and how bhabhi and I spent the entire morning mopping up coz half the water had leaked out, under the cupboards and half-way across the room…or how my damned wisdom tooth gave me so much grief this week...or how miserable I was coz of the wretched cold weather in this bloody hamlet!

Ok – I think I have an inkling as to why I didn’t blog – coz I didn’t want to publish a jeremiad of complaints! LOL! Hit the nail on the spot, didn’t you Sherlock?

Well anyways now that I’ve solved that grand mystery in life, I guess I might as well blog about something more substantial and less introspective and/or floozy!

This morning I read about the death of Henri Cartier Bresson (1908-2004), a photojournalist and co-founder of Magnum Photos. Ok gyan time – Magnum Photos is an international photographic co-operative founded by Robert Cappa, David Seymour, William Vandivert, George Rodger and Bresson in Paris, 1947. Basically Cappa, Seymour and Bresson had been friends before the World War II and when they reunited unexpectedly after the war, they came up with this idea of forming an organisation that would be a kind of forum for photographers and a training ground for new talent. They later opened an office in New York (small surprise – the Big Bully definitely was the place to head even back then, especially when you wanted to sell anything!); today they have offices in London and Tokyo as well and around 50 members. A “miniature United Nations” each member of the organization took on responsibility of covering a geographic area.

So coming back to Bresson – he took on India and the Far-east. Reason I got interested in the fellow was because I’d read somewhere (now don’t ask me where and when – I so totally fail to remember!) that he had taken a photograph of Gandhi, as he lay on his death bed. Apparently another photographer, was unsuccessful and ended up having her reel destroyed because of her insensitivity to the situation, while Bresson succeeded by being discrete and subtle and staying behind the scenes. I thought to myself, creativity coupled with a keen sense of sensitivity and intelligence. Great combination! So I went ahead and read up more about him – it helped that he was a French man! ;-) Anyways some of his work that I saw online fascinated me and managed to snag my attention...

The one below seems to be a favourite, but I lean towards the one above. Something about the old man, surrounded by flowers, absorbed in his solitary activity touched me.



The name stuck in my memory and this morning when I read about his death – I decided I so totally must blog about this. I think I would like to own one of those books he has published. Probably “Decisive Moments” which is touted as his chef d’oeuvre...

Hehe...just went through this and it struck me that the last line stinks of a hint for a gift. Terribly expensive gift, eh? LOL – worry not, there’s no hint there. Just a thought to myself – more like a note for the future. (Read when I have a decent enough salary to be able to afford all those books I harbour a perennial hunger for!)

Linguistic thought for the day :- Often seen and often used “specially” instead of “especially” – wonder how and why this habit came to be?

Specially, adv. 1. In a special manner; particularly.
2. For a particular purpose; as, a meeting of the legislature is specially summoned.

Especially, adv. In an especial manner; chiefly; particularly; peculiarly; in an uncommon degree.

Eh? Difference?

Ick – so need to improve that vocabulary of mine. Too mediocre for my satisfaction – double ick. Must bookmark the Online Dictionary and must leaf through my pocket Oxford more often. Bit late for a New Year Resolution...anyways I don’t hold much faith in them that were made as you say good-bye to a dying year and are drunk with happiness welcoming one more catastrophic year that brings you closer to the apocalyptic end...but I guess one can always resolve to improve anytime of the year, eh?