A few years later an unknown artist, Henri Cartier-Bresson, saw the photograph and it forever changed his life, our lives, history. Here's what Cartier-Bresson said about the encounter which inspired him to stop painting and to take up photography:
"The only thing which completely was an amazement to me and brought me to photography was the work of Munkacsi. When I saw the photograph of Munkacsi of the black kids running in a wave I couldn't believe such a thing could be caught with the camera. I said damn it, I took my camera and went out into the street."
He explained, "For me this photograph was the spark that ignited my enthusiasm. I suddenly realized that, by capturing the moment, photography was able to achieve eternity. It is the only photograph to have influenced me. This picture has such intensity, such joie de vivre, such a sense of wonder that it continues to fascinate me to this day."
Cartier-Bresson went on to father modern photojournalism. Throughout his career he photographed everything from global historically significant moments to everyday scenes near his home in France. With amazing accuracy he portrayed people by "putting" his camera "between the skin of a person and his shirt." From people like the lofty Marilyn Monroe to the low Mexican whore, Cartier-Bresson, with great accuracy, captured the full spectrum of life.
Really, wouldn't it be so hard to honestly face and then depict both ends of the spectrum?
Explore more Cartier-Bresson wonderment here.
There is no way Munkacsi could have known the full weight of snapping the shutter that day in Africa. Thank God he shared that photo with the world, with Cartier-Bresson. Thank God for photojournalism and all that it inspires.
*****
Thank God for those who have gone before us, who have bravely communicated their inspiration without fully understanding the longterm impact. (Here I am talking as much about my grandmother as I am about the world's great heroes, artists.) Here's to sharing!
If you find fear still holds you back from sharing who you were made you to be, here's a great place to start: Are you a Scaredy Cat?
3 comments:
What a timely post for me. Thank you.
What a wonderful piece! Very well done and so timely for me also. You may never know what an inspiration you have been to me for I can not put it into words. You have gotten me to open up in a way that I never thought I could and share my work with others, even though at times I feel it unworthy. It is so great to know you and share with you. Thank you so much! ♥♥♥
Beautiful!
K
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