In this essay, I will explore the work of Henri Cartier-Bresson, with a particular focus on his role in the development of documentary photography and his concept of the decisive moment. His approach to capturing spontaneous, meaningful moments has strongly influenced the direction of my own photography project.

The introduction will outline my chosen area of investigation within documentary photography. I will explain the key artist influences I have drawn upon throughout the project, including Cartier-Bresson and other photographers. This section will also set out the intentions behind my study — what I aim to explore and how I plan to investigate it.

Following this, I will examine the historical and cultural context of Henri Cartier-Bresson’s work. I will analyse the significance of the decisive moment, discussing how it shaped photography and how it continues to inform my own approach to timing, composition, and visual storytelling.

The main body of the essay will then provide a more detailed exploration of selected photographers whose work has inspired mine. I will interpret key images from these artists, analysing their use of technique, subject matter, and context. I will also reflect on how their approaches have influenced the development of my ideas and outcomes.

In conclusion, I will summarise the aims and outcomes of my project, evaluating how successfully I have communicated my intentions through photography. I will also compare and contrast my work with that of the artists I studied, highlighting both the similarities and the distinctions in our approaches.