Selected Photographer

I was inspired by Henri Cartier-Bresson’s philosophy of capturing the decisive moment, where emotion, motion, and composition align with instinctual timing. In my work, I aim to extend this philosophy into a more modern context—by combining Cartier-Bresson’s candid timing with elements of abstraction found in reflections, shadows, and fragmented compositions. Black and white photography emphasizes the strength, effort, and emotion in human faces and movement, while abstraction allows me to deconstruct these moments—turning everyday urban scenes into poetic, sometimes surreal, visual narratives.

Analysis of Henri Cartier-Bresson’s Style

Candid Timing: He captured spontaneous real-life moments, often without alerting the subject, a practice central to street photography.

Framing and Lines: His photos often used strong architectural lines and geometric framing—tools I adapt through reflections and structural layering to abstract the scene further.

Emotion: Cartier-Bresson photographed subtle human expressions, body gestures, and movements—something I interpret with motion blur and distortion to communicate emotion in a less literal but more expressive way.

Minimal Editing: He relied on intuition and in-camera composition rather than heavy post-production, encouraging me to carefully compose abstract forms and fleeting street moments directly through the lens.

“Henri Cartier-Bresson: Principles & Practice.” Magnum Photos, https://www.magnumphotos.com/theory-and-practice/henri-cartier-bresson-principles-practice/. Accessed in 30 May 2025.

“Henri Cartier-Bresson.” Foto Arsenal Wien, https://www.fotoarsenalwien.at/en/exhibition/henri-cartier-bresson-en. Accessed in 30 May 2025.

Lim, Bora. “The Henri Cartier-Bresson of South Korea.” The New Yorker, https://www.newyorker.com/culture/photo-booth/the-henri-cartier-bresson-of-south-korea. Accessed in 30 May 2025.

“Henri Cartier-Bresson.” Pinterest, https://www.pinterest.com/pin/55380270402890614/. Accessed in 30 May 2025.

“Henri Cartier-Bresson: Brussels, 1932.” Holden Luntz Gallery, https://www.holdenluntz.com/magazine/photo-spotlight/henri-cartier-bresson-brussels-1932/. Accessed in  30 May 2025.

Critique of One Photo (Reference for My Project)

In Cartier-Bresson’s iconic image of a man leaping over a puddle, the subject is frozen mid-air at the perfect instant. The background is filled with reflections, fences, and layered shapes, adding depth and a surreal quality. It feels both real and dreamlike—a moment suspended outside of time. This photo influenced my approach to street abstraction, teaching me that decisive moments aren’t always about clarity—they can also emerge through distortion, blur, or layered framing. I learned that to capture such moments, I must observe carefully, anticipate action, and release the shutter when movement, atmosphere, and abstraction converge naturally.

1514

A silhouette on stairs, framed by strong shadows and architectural lines. The subject is anonymous, and the geometric framing adds a surreal abstraction. It evokes isolation and visual fragmentation, aligning with your vision statement perfectly.

1531

This image uses reflections on glass to obscure the figure. It feels candid yet abstract, blending the person with the environment. The layered composition and light distort identity while still hinting at a narrative moment—a classic example of street abstraction.

1538

This photo shows movement blur and distorted light, likely at night. It captures a fleeting moment with ghost-like presence. The abstraction here turns a street scene into something expressive and emotional, matching your conceptual theme of “blurred reality.”

“Passing Through”

This image captures the fleeting nature of city life—the way people blur into the background of their routines, unnoticed. Through motion blur and glowing distortion, the scene turns abstract, evoking anonymity and emotional disconnection. Influenced by Henri Cartier-Bresson’s decisive moment, this photo instead captures a decisive blur—a moment where time doesn’t freeze, but instead stretches. It invites the viewer to imagine the story of a person they’ll never meet, passing through a city that barely registers their presence.

Successes: I successfully conveyed my conceptual ideas using camera techniques like intentional blur and layered reflections. My use of shadows, glass, and empty urban space turned ordinary street moments into emotional or surreal visuals. I created work that reflects how people are often unnoticed or half-present in city life. Images like 1514 and 1538 show strong abstraction while still feeling grounded in the street photography tradition.

Challenges: Some early photos had too much clutter or lacked a clear subject. Getting the right balance between clarity and abstraction took time. In several cases, I had to wait a long time to catch the right subject or lighting. There were also challenges in post-processing to preserve the mood without over-editing.

Improvements: Next time, I will pay more attention to background composition and continue to explore layering using light, surfaces, and mirrors. I also want to experiment with video or animated stills to build on the idea of fragmentation and unfinished stories.

Concepts Chosen: Street Photography + Abstraction

In this series, I explore the emotional and visual fragmentation of people in the city through street photography and abstraction. I photographed anonymous figures immersed in the urban landscape, moments easily missed or forgotten. Through techniques like motion blur, glass reflections, and shadow interplay, I altered reality to reveal how people’s identities are often partially erased or blended into the city. I used tight framing, layering, and surreal distortion to visually represent emotional disconnection, chaos, or ambiguity. These photos show daily life as a ghostlike rhythm, people drifting, merging with architecture or urban textures, evoking feelings of isolation, curiosity, and interpretation.