"In photography, the smallest thing can be a great subject," one of Bresson's greatest quotes. Most of his photography is a collection of such little, human details that many do not notice. He claimed, because of this, that "the camera was an extension of the eye." Cartier-Bresson was born a shy frenchmen in 1908, in Chanteloupe, France, of prosperous middle-class parents. He owned a Box Brownie as a boy, using it for taking holiday snapshots, and later experimented with a 3 X 4 view camera. But he was also interested in painting and studied for two years in a Paris studio. This early training in art helped develop the subtle and sensitive eye for composition, which was one of his greatest assets as a photographer.In 1931, at the age of 22, Cartier-Bresson spent a year as a hunter in the West African bush, when he caught blackwater fever, and retreated home to france. This is when his photo career truly began. He began with a Leica and began snapping a few pictures with it.His imagination caught fire. He recalls how he excitedly "prowled the streets all day, feeling very strung-up and ready to pounce, determined to ‘trap’ life, to preserve life in the act of living." Of all photographers, Bresson had the biggest set back, as well as he overcame it the fastest. When he was drafted for world war II, he was captured by the german, and held in a brutal POW camp. He tried to escape and complete his photo career twice, but you know that the third time is a charm. He ran back to france, and i mean ran literally. And then his career flew, ta da!!! HE died at the age of 95. Many of his pictures arent all that awsome, just pictures of the frech streets. But hey there okay! sorta. I like the texture in the one that looks all watery
