Henri Cartier-Bresson Case study –

Henri Cartier-Bressons work, as he puts it, is a ‘physical pleasure’. By carrying a camera he says it is an ‘extension of the eye’. This can be seen in his collection of photographs that capture a preserved time capsule of day to day life.

Biography –

Born 22nd August 1908, in the outskirts of Paris in Chanteloup, Seine-et-Marne, Henri Cartier-Bresson grew up with an interest for art. Initially showing a fascination in surrealism painting, in 1932, during a year-long stay in the ivory coast, he discovered his passion for photography with a Leica, his camera of choice.

First exhibiting his artwork only a year later, It featured at the Julien Levy Gallery in New York. During the Second World War, Cartier-Bresson joined the French army, where he was promoted to a corporal in their Film and Photo unit. In 1940 during the invasion of France he was captured by German soldiers, up until 1943 he was a prisoner of war in which he managed to escape from on his third attempt. Joining an underground resistance network, he helped others escape from nazi captivity.

Rue Mouffetard, Paris, 1954

During the liberation of Paris in 1945, he photographed the allied victory with a group of professional journalists and then went on to film the documentary Le Retour (The Return).

Post war, he met up with other famous war photographers who served like him during the conflict, the most notable being Robert Capa, As well as some others like George Rodger, David “Chim” Seymour and William Vandivert, here they collectively founded Magnum Photos. An organisation that till this day, represents photographers, and exhibits and licenses their work.

 Magnum photographers during their annual meeting. Courtyard of the Lycée Fénelon, Paris. June 1990.

Spending 3 years travelling in the East, Cartier-Bresson retuned back to Europe in 1952, once returned, He published his first book, à la Sauvette, in english meaning ‘The Decisive Moment’.

In This book, Cartier-Bresson defines his approach to Photography…

“for me the camera is a sketch book, an instrument of intuition and spontaneity, the master of the instant which, in visual terms, questions and decides simultaneously… It is by economy of means that one arrives at simplicity of expression.”

A young Cartier-Bresson, holding his signature Leica.

Later on in life Cartier Bresson, made a return to painting in 1968. In 2003, his wife and daughter created the Foundation Henri Cartier-Bresson in Paris to preserve his legacy and his work. Throughout his lifetime, He had received numerous awards, prizes and honorary doctorates. A year later he passed away in his home, located in Provence on August 3rd, 2004.

’The Decisive Moment’ –

Henri Cartier-Bresson, in his book ‘The Decisive Moment’, created a series of images, pioneering in their unique story telling and have since been widely considered as one of the most important photo books of the 20th century. Described by Robert Capa as ‘a Bible for photographers’ his book is an interesting dive into the world through a camera.

The concept of the decisive moment comes from the idea that everything that occurs happens in a flow of events, In Cartier-Bresson’s eyes, there are moments within these events that contain a perfect arrangement within a frame. These moments are always spontaneous and often never repeat themselves, therefore making the photographer vigilant to be ready to capture that decisive moment.

Cartier-Bresson believed that the process doesn’t come randomly through attempts to capture that moment, it is up to the photographer to observe, anticipate and patiently wait for your focus to choose something you notice and let that be your decisive moment. To get the perfect image, timing and composition make up 2 strong factors in creating a impactful image such as Cartier Bresson’s. Another big part is the meaningful element, this can something that conveys an emotion or statement, for example a couple, someone doing a job, people enjoying something etc.

Mood Board –

Virtual gallery of edits:

Evaluation:

For the Anthropocene Topic, I believe my outcomes are a unique take on what usually isn’t massively associated to Anthropocene but still proves to be through its deeper meanings and historical context.

By covering the topic of conflict, my images show how the affect of Anthropocene is omni-present in every aspect of life. More specifically , my images go to show how through generations of human impact and change, the element of war leaves scars and resonates within the world and society till this day.

By using foam board I was able to create a 3D effect for this edit I made.

By incorporating some text, I believe this improved the outcome of this edit. Using text allows to create a deeper meaning to the image as what it means can be broken down into ambiguous definitions.

As mentioned before, text helps to add meaning to the work, in this case, It works as an education tool to inform the viewer of what went on within the subjects contents.

Comparison:

Taking inspiration from War collages, with their particular artists such as Martha Rosler, as well as different art movements like the soviet Avant Grande, these all helped me visually and conceptually base what I wanted my outcomes for these images to look like.

Final Images –

For my Final presentation of images from Anthropocene, I covered a variety of examples of how time affects environments of war.

In my images I covered the difference of technology over time, how areas of heavily fortified positions are now tourist attractions and how much they’re environment surrounding them has change.

These edited photos here, aim to show the effects of Anthropocene of war, how despite Technology advances, Battlefields change, the image of war remains the same. In the case of these images that message stands strong as despite the original images being taken over 100 years ago, in comparison to the modern images in only recent years, the actions, jobs and methods still are the same.

These Images aim to show the ideological aspect of Anthropocene. Although time passes from these past periods of conflict, their marks on history remain today with use of these images from their time.

These images show the local effects of Anthropocene, from Jerseys wartime occupation, where these locations where of military value and heavily defended, to now, an industry that thrives of its history through tourism. Areas featured like Elizabeth castle, or Corbiere where chosen by me as I thought, how they both massively changed in environmental purpose and were a clear sign of human impact on the world, so locally to me.

Photoshoot edits –

Before:

Edit settings:

Using photoshop I further edited my work:

Using opacity I was able to perfectly line up my images to how they would have been taken back then in the 1940s.

After lining the image up, I re-added its full opacity, I began cutting out my image in a sort of ‘scrapbook cut-out’ aesthetic.

Final Result:

Using a brush to merge out the opacity the image came out as this…

By merging these images, I have created a view into the past through an opacity fade. This shows how much Anthropocene has altered the landscape around us from its appearance in the past.

Before:

Edit settings:

Using photoshop I further edited my work:

Being much trickier to line up since the rock face has changed so much overtime, I repeated my method of using the occupation images opacity to overly it onto my modern picture. Despite proving to be a challenge this can also be said to show the effects of Anthropocene as the power of that field gun could be said to shape the side of the rock with its powerful kickback.

Final result:

In comparison between these 2 images the effects of Anthropocene are clear to see with the breakdown of the rock face and the extension to la Collete.

Before:

Edit settings:

Using the same Settings for the image, I did this as the image I wanted to photoshop is just a slight variation to the one before.

Using photoshop I further edited my work:

Overlying the Image I repeated my methods off adding the historical image to where I believed it would be positioned back then.

By lining the image, I can get a frame of reference to see how I want it to be positioned, and have it Ready so I am able to cut it out to scale.

When the opacity is removed you can really get a good look at how the images line up. By cutting the image out, I am able to create my desired aesthetic for the image of it appearing almost as a ghostly cut-out from the past.

Edit settings:

Before:

Edit settings:

Using photoshop I further edited my work:

Due to angles being hard to recreate I use objects within both images that are appropriately sized for me to use to reference the positioning of my historical photo overlay.

By resizing the image, I am able to capture more of the original image in a larger size, making the contents more clear.

Final result:

Before:

Edit settings:

Using photoshop I further edited my work:

With the environment being hard to map, My photoshopping off the historical image would prove difficult. This however can be said to show the effect of Anthropocene and how far it has changed from then till now. With the contrast of visual content from Germans in the 1940s to French tourists in the present it creates a interesting visual example of Anthropocene.

Wanting to remove the excess space from the top of the image I added some German airplanes, to add more character to its context.

Using photoshop, I was able to remove unwanted details such as a wall of the current Corbiere Phare.

Final result:

Although the amounts of planes is exaggerated to what would actually fly over Jersey, I think it makes for a good filler for the blank space within the sky of this image.

Further experimentation –

Montage –

Edit 1 –

Using images from The German Bundeswehr Photo archive of the channel islands I further experimented with my work, with inspiration from war collages.

Importing images of modern machines of war into war it creates an interesting look into the effects of Anthropocene in warfare.

By adding photos, of Current US Soldiers compared to the Germans from the 1940s, this image is a collage to show the huge advancements made in technologies from powerhouses from their time.

Final result:

Edit 2 –

For my second edit I thought id explore the effects of Anthropocene in the war in Ukraine to show similarities and differences they conflict has with the First world war, with my images of trenches.

Using the objection selection tool on Photoshop, I cut out a soldier from the first world war to show much these images comparison despite their changes over time in uniforms, country and technology, the element of War remains the same.

Edit 3 –

Through the comparison of technology we can see the difference from then till now.

I really like how this edit came out, and I think it really shows the comparison of technology from the past to present and how it is incorporated to warfare. Within the modern day, we can see how technology replaces many jobs from the past. It quite an interesting look into the binary-opposite of Nature vs machines.

Edit 4 –

In this edit, I aimed to show the difference explosive technology between conflicts in History.

Shown through the comparison of firepower, the change in size of how they function varies largely, whilst their purpose remains the same.

Edit 5 –

Through this image, the idea is to show the personal inflections of war, such as separation.

Overall I like how this came out, and think it creates lot to talk about within the contents of the image. In relation to Anthropocene it contains a call-back to Jerseys past through the inclusion of the German officer, stationed here on the island back into the 1940s.

Edit 6 –

Wit these images, I wanted to show how the Germans, apart of the Nazi’s Third Reich, wanted to dominate the world. With their violent weaponry shown through these local images, I will add them together to create an interesting collage.

Editing in an Image of a globe, its colours did not match the surrounding images, to correct this I altered them by removing the saturation, adding grain and making it a yellowish hue.

By adding a drop shadow it makes the globe pop out a lot more, and blends in well with the smoke effects from the Guns firing.

I like how this came out with the positioning of the Germans looking towards the centre, I believe it creates an interesting conversation point on what it could be interpreted to mean.

Occupation locations – Then and now, The effects of Anthropocene:

(For this image, I went on a historical walk around the area of plemont and how much it has changed since the second world war).

These are my photoshoots combined into a contact sheet, for my first contact I toke images of the historical site at plemont, with its mix of architecture from 2 different time periods with how they compare today, i thought it would be an interesting location. For my second photoshoot i focused on areas with direct influence of German bunker architecture such as cornier and Elizabeth which i had gathered historical photos to make comparison images from then and now with. Some mini-photoshoots are included like old buildings in town and in the agricultural museum, Hamptonne.

Green coloured:

These photos are rated 4 – 5 on the star rating, and are flagged: This means that they fit the aesthetic of Anthropocene, and incorporate elements associated to it and my photoshoot plans.

Yellow coloured:

These images are taken well but lack the correct amount of exposure, need to be cropped, re-adjusted with their angles or contain unwanted obstacles.

Red coloured:

These images did not fit the aesthetic because they where either blurry, poorly taken or did not fit the concept I was basing my photoshoot off.

Elizabeth Castle images – Then and now comparison

Examples:

Photoshoot Ideas –

Idea 1 – My idea for a photoshoot is to recreate the positioning of these second world war photographs in modern time, by positioning the camera in the same place this show the anthropogenic change brought to Jerseys locations from a different time, our relatives may have lived through. Throughout the shoot I will recreate these following images and their locations due to their historical significance to Jersey.

Using images taken by German officials, soldiers with cameras, locals and etc I will show how much the areas have changed since the occupation.

styles of showing then and now:

Corbiere + St Quens

Elizabeth Castle + Town

Idea 2 – Another idea for a photoshoot is a timeline of images on how homes have changed throughout century’s. Based on their architecture, you can see the styles and influences of the time and how they compare to now and how they mix.

Places good for this would be areas like Jersey heritage sights such as the castles or Hamptonne who other different housing variants throughout history, other places like town can show a good range of housing throughout the century’s.

Artist Study 1:

Local Jersey Photographer – Albert Smith

Photographing areas of Jersey, such as Town, Havre de Pas, and other coastal areas, Albert Smiths work is known for his portrait and landscape work of Jersey in the past. Capturing much of Jerseys iconic landscapes I will take inspiration from his photos with my work. Although not doing it intentionally. through his casual photography, Albert Smith captured much of Jerseys past historical topography.

Smiths topographic images:

Connection to Anthropocene –

With a vast collection of images of Jersey Landscapes, this provides a well documented topography that we can use to compare to those same locations in the modern day. Such as in the images above, we can see how much the coastal areas have changed, With Havre Des Pas for example, we can see that since his time period the development of La Collette behind it hadn’t occurred. With the images of recognisable areas such as the harbour and Gorey, Smiths photography shows what would local landmarks would have appeared in his time, and for future viewers of his work, how much they have altered to what we recognise them as today. His work can really show the human impact we have had to this Island with its numerous mass developments and changes to recognisable scenery through urbanisation and societal influences such as architecture.

Why I chose his work –

The reason why I chose Albert Smiths work was I thought it was a very interesting documentation of Jersey through a historical lens. Taken almost purposely to conceptually make a stamp of the areas old appearance, we as an audience to his collections from many years after his lifetime in the 19th-20th century can see how the effects of Anthropocene are thought about when viewing his photography. Comparison pictures of now to the locations are unneeded due to their recognisability but the uncanny nature of how much the environment within the pictures have changed, for me, really help make his work stand out as apart of the Anthropocene genre.

How I will apply it to my work –

For my photoshoots, I have created plans that will feature in the next blog post that will incorporate Alberts Smiths style of documentative purpose, with also his style of photographing the shifts in topography of Jersey’s well known locations.

Image Analysis –

Artist Study 2:

Pioneering Photographer – Thomas Sutton

Thomas Sutton, known locally for his importance to bringing photography to Jersey but also his wider significance to the history of photography. Owning a photography studio from 1848 to 1854 in St Brelades he also worked at a printing establishment in Jersey for the famous photography Frenchman L.D. Blanquart-Evrard in the 1850s which was advertised as being patronised by, H R H Prince Albert who was keen to photography and had a collection himself.

Suttons work has recognition for his early experiments with the patenting of a panoramic lens as well as being the photographer for James Clerk Maxwell’s pioneering 1891 demonstration of colour photography.

Suttons local recognitions can be seen with him being the first to produce a photographic publication of the Island named – “Souvenir de Jersey” in 1854.

Suttons topographic Images:

Connection to Anthropocene –

As seen in the images above, Suttons photography was primarily landscapes. like Smith his work focused heavily on capturing well-known areas such as Gorey pier, however this is not the only connection to Anthropocene that can be made when looking at his work. With many Images of the coastal and rock formations of Jerseys surrounding coastline, it can be said to capture the effects of geology under the theme of Anthropocene. With rocks in the past for example being mined for silver in the parish of Grouville and granite rocks being mined in areas to create the Martello towers for example we can see how areas over time become altered through human input to them such as with these coastal areas. With his invention of a panoramic lens, this could be said that this came out of wanting to explore further with landscape photography, capturing more within a frame and therefore the documentation of landscapes that could be used in a later time to show the effects of Anthropocene.

Why I chose his work –

Due to his notability within the History of Photography, and in recognition of his work done locally within the barriers of what can be applied to the theme of Anthropocene, I chose Sutton, as my overall idea for this project is to recreate positioned photographs of past historical photography of our Island to show how much has changed over time between century’s.

How I will apply it to my work –

With his conceptual basis in mind, I will capture areas that will most likely face or already have been subjected to a change over time from how they originally appeared in photographs of the past.

Image Analysis –

Avant Grande –

For editing the historical images onto their modern counterparts, I can take inspiration from Avant-Grande, specifically the soviet aesthetic choice that originated from propaganda posters. With their rustic, cut-out design I will edit in this way.

Used to entice the soviet people with their flashy and modern look, the moved away from classical forms of art to emerge to a new wave of art, very much on theme with the origins and values of the USSR who moved away from an old classical form of ruling a country (Monarchy) and modernised into becoming something far from its origins, One-party state that didn’t rely on parliament but controlled everything within the country.

Inspiration pictures –

War collages –

Used, abstractly, to show the cruelties of war, colleges can show a collect summary to the opposition of war and its effects on not just the soldiers who fight in them but who gets caught in the crossfire, the damage to environment, the neglectful responsibility of those in charge and much more.

It can be said that these images, put together are a good way of showing the ridiculousness of war in its purposes to create ‘peace’.

Artists such as Martha Rosler show the effects of war on the home life of people effected in a different way. With the ‘Truth lying behind a curtain’ the effects of war at home can be shown as a visual metaphor for what actually goes behind the ideas of war that is often left out when teaching about conflicts.

With this in mind, I can use this both visually and conceptually to show the effects of war on the channel islands and specifically the areas occupied in the past to show the overall effect it has had on the islands Anthropocene.

What is Anthropocene?

Anthropocene is the Human effect onto Earths topography, in photography, it covers a variety of images containing human impact to the earths geology, landscape, limnology, ecosystems and climate. With the use of photography, we as a society can observe how the implications of our lives into Earth can change it over time. With photography being around since the early 19th century, observations can be made on how over time, places change in shape, size and appearance.

Evident in Jersey, with the developments of new housing, financial buildings and overall re-urbanisation in places like St Helier we can see from Jerseys past to now, the changes put in place and how the effects of alienisation and disassociation can generate from what things where like and how they appeared compared to modern day.

Mood board –

Mind map –

Location photos –

(Val de la mare)

(Queens Valley)

(Airport)

(Town)

(Historical sights)

Corbiere

Elizabeth Castle

(Abandoned areas)

(Quarrys)

(Harbour)

Final presentation of images:

These images, are my final outcomes of my ‘New Topographics’. Inspired by Photographers of the topic, Robert Adams, Lewis Baltz and Frank Gohlke. Inspired by their modern approach to Landscape photography, their Photoshoots can be shown to leave heavy influence on my work and that of many other photographers who choose to capture the aesthetic of urban landscapes.

(Influence – Robert Adams: His image shown below of a large stretch of land, urbanised due to a change an increased need of homes, can be seen similarly in my images above, Rapid projects of destruction and construction of mass amounts of homes shares the conceptual basis Roberts drives behind his pictures).

(Influence – Lewis Baltz: Inspired by these images in particular, their use of large open space and stark bold lines with the bland rooftops, designed purely for functionalism, show how its remarkableness is intentional, with the soul focus based within its walls).

(Influence – Frank Gohlke: Inspired by this image, Gohlkes’s use of a long line of stretched road balanced with a large industrial structure to the left, was available for me to try and replicate myself in which I have done well).

Final presentation of mobile edits:

produced using a camera, but edited on a mobile device with the app Snapseed, their use of filters and variety of adjustment tools, produced to what I believe are some good images, influenced by Adams, Baltz and Gohlke.