Reddit mentions of Henri Cartier-Bresson: The Decisive Moment

The upcoming re-print of The Decisive Moment

http://www.amazon.com/Henri-Cartier-Bresson-Decisive-Cartier-Bresson/dp/3869307889/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417696068&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=the+decicive+moment

General 'snapshot' street photography is a matter of chance, with a small amount of composition. Very little work and thought goes into the output. What's notable about HCB is that he frequently framed a shot based on artistic composition; and waited for something to happen. Other times he had time to compose a shot he took the time to find the geometry. Even when just out snapping, he looked for scenes where geometry was striking. If you're curious about the way he does this, he talks about it in an old movie.

Asking someone else how to make your work stand out is inherently uncreative, for the record.

One of the most important things I ever learned about photography was that buying gear isn't really useful. Having a working camera and some working lenses is necessary; but if you have something 'semi-professional' or above, there's little to no advantage in upgrading. You have an M8 (or possibly an M6 by now?) and a lens. As long as both are in functional condition; that's all you need in terms of equipment.

Instead, buy books. Here's some suggestions that you might want to consider:

• Koudelka - Gypsies
  
  
• Relationship - Zachary Drucker & Rhys Ernst
  
  
• The Decisive Moment - Henri Cartier-Bresson
  
  
• The Magnum Contact Sheets - Multiple Artists
  
  
• Vivian Maier - Vivian Maier, John Maloof
  
  
• An English Eye - James Ravilious
  
  
• Labyrinth - Moriyama Daido
  
  
• The Americans - Robert Frank
  
  You can also look at libraries for these, and keep an eye on thrift stores and used bookshops. I think you're in London, right? There's a huge gallery on Oxford street, and in Mayfair there's a Leica store where exhibitions are held a few times a year.
  
  The key point is to look at photos; individual photos, contact sheets and whole curated books and exhibitions. Think about how the artists made something like documentary and snapshot photography into an art. Look for ideas you can use, and look for things that haven't been done that you could use to be unique. Look at studio photography. Look at erotic photography. Look at cinema and still life and landscapes and architecture and paintings and drawings and every other image created with artistic intent, that represents a moment of reality. And go from there.

My two faves:

https://www.amazon.com/Henri-Cartier-Bresson-Decisive-Cartier-Bresson/dp/3869307889

https://www.amazon.com/Occams-Razor-Outside-Contemporary-Photography/dp/3923922132

http://www.amazon.com/Henri-Cartier-Bresson-Decisive-Cartier-Bresson/dp/3869307889/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422551741&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Decisive+Moment

The decisive moment: http://www.amazon.com/Henri-Cartier-Bresson-The-Decisive-Moment/dp/3869307889

Personally, I never have enough camera bags. Understated ones that can be used daily would be a fine gift. Domke, ThinkTank, Billingham are great and bags are a thing I don't like splurging on for myself.

Photography books are also nice. Unfortunately the most anticipated reprint book this year, Cartier-Bresson's The Decisive Moment has been delayed till January.