WORKING THE SCENE-Hutongs

Street Photographer： 

Henri Cartier Bresson：

Henri Cartier-Bresson (August 22, 1908 – August 3, 2004) was a French photographer considered a master of candid photography and an early user of 35mm film. He is renowned for his street photography and the concept of the “decisive moment” in photography, which refers to capturing a fleeting instant in which elements come together in perfect harmony. His photography style mainly focuses on capturing real scenes in daily life. He believes that every scene has its best moment, and photographers need to press the shutter button at this moment to capture the most realistic and expressive moments. Whether it’s ordinary people on the streets or major historical events, he can record them in a simple yet profound way. His works often showcase the diversity and complexity of society, reflecting various aspects of human life. Cartier Bresson’s works have simple and powerful compositions, and are adept at using geometric shapes and lines to enhance the visual effect of the image. He often uses techniques such as symmetry, contrast, and balance to give his photos a strong visual impact and artistic beauty. This is very consistent with my theme, and what I am going to shoot is also capturing real scenes on the street, such as pedestrians passing by. And in terms of composition, I was inspired by him, using many techniques of contrast and symmetry, and each photo needs to have a main character or object.

Evaluation of an image –

Cartier-Bresson’s “Father and Child by the Sea” masterfully encapsulates a tender and fleeting moment between a parent and child. The photograph depicts a father joyously lifting his child high above his head against the backdrop of a serene sea and distant mountains. The child’s delighted expression and the father’s loving gaze create an emotional connection that resonates deeply.      The composition is expertly crafted, with the figures positioned off-center, drawing the viewer’s eye across the frame. The use of black and white emphasizes the textures and contrasts, from the rippling water to the rugged terrain, adding depth and dimension to the scene. The background elements, including the fence and the natural landscape, provide context without distracting from the intimate interaction at the heart of the image. This photograph embodies Cartier-Bresson’s philosophy of capturing the decisive moment, where timing and instinct converge to reveal the essence of a scene. The dynamic pose of the father and the child’s airborne position convey a sense of motion and spontaneity, freezing a moment of pure joy and connection. The interplay of light and shadow further enhances the dramatic effect, casting shadows that add layers of meaning and emotion.  Overall, “Father and Child by the Sea” is a poignant example of Cartier-Bresson’s ability to transform ordinary moments into extraordinary images, celebrating the beauty of human relationships and the power of photography to preserve fleeting emotions for eternity.

My street photo shoots：

My best photoshoot image：

This photo shows the moment of life captured in Beijing alley. It was taken by an old man as he was tidying up plants hanging on the wall against a backdrop of typical alley buildings and telephone poles. The theme I want to convey in this photo is a sense of tranquility and calm, showing the details of the lives of the residents of the old Beijing Hutong. It’s fun in ordinary life. I used a three-dimensional composition, placing the old man on the left side of the center of the picture, so that the old man became the main body and the center of the picture. Leave enough space up and down to show the alley environment, but also make the overall composition look more harmonious. This is taken at sunset, so the light and shadow appear to have a contrast between light and shade, and the shadow effect adds to the picture’s sense of hierarchy. The subject of this photograph is a story that tells the story of life. It reminds people in the alley how carefully they take care of their homes, and their love and perseverance in life. This photo successfully captures an ordinary and beautiful moment, showcasing the unique charm of alley culture.

I chose these as my best photos. Each photo contains the subject of the person and object and fits well with the theme of street photography. These photos fully demonstrate the ordinary lives and stories of people in the alley, and discover the beauty of life with the camera. And the overall composition is also very harmonious, the picture has the appropriate distance between the left and right. There are also many guide lines in the composition, such as roads and fences, which give these spaces enough space in the photograph to reflect the contrast between the foreground and the background of the important person. Most of the shots were taken at the same angle as the height of the eyes, and then I used close-ups to capture details like pedestrians. I captured every decisive moment well, and when everything was perfectly aligned, I pressed the shutter at the right point in time to take the picture. The contrast between light and shadow is also reflected in the picture, some places dark and some places bright. And these photos all show people’s direct connections, relationships, and emotions. There are couples chatting, elderly people walking, courier in a hurry, parents who pick up their children for school, and cats hiding in the corner.