The Decisive Moment
Above are two pictures by Henri Cartier Bresson and we are talking bout the decisive moment.
The timing on the first picture is good the bike fits nicely into the gap, the bike is clear and you sense the motion and the staircase is clear to look at. Had it had been a couple of seconds earlier then the image of the cyclist may have been unclear you may not even have got the sense of direction. The definition of the railings would also have been less clear. It also feels weighted correctly having the stairs one side and the bike on the left.
The second picture of the boy ( Little Boy Paris - 1954 ) - to me he looks happy and has a spring in his step, he is looking up with his chin up which expresses his demeanour.
The focus is on him and singles him out in the image. He is carrying two large bottles of wine - he looks quite proud of himself. He is walking along with chest out.
Had the timing been different or his facial expressions different, sad maybe, or worried you could have read a whole new meaning to the activity of the boy and what he was up to.
My own decisive moments below, the first picture here of Otis shows him calm and willing to have his picture taken. The truth is he was being very naughty. He walked out of shot, stole my hair tie, and was persistent trying to eat the treats I had.
Having the camera in manual you have to be careful that your settings are OK and there is no pause or delay in focusing - ( shutter lag time ) - if you have any delay then you could miss your exact decisive moment. Then you would have a whole different picture.
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