essential skills: digital photography in available light
The decisive moment
The famous photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson in 1954 described the visual climax to a scene
which the photographer captures as being the ‘decisive moment’.
The moment when the photographer chooses to release the shutter may be infl uenced by the
visual climax to the action and the moment when the moving forms create the most pleasing
design. In the fl ux of movement a photographer can sometimes intuitively feel when the changing
forms and patterns achieve balance, clarity and order and when the image becomes for an instant
a picture.
To capture decisive moments the photographer needs to be focused on, or receptive to, what is
happening rather than the camera equipment they are holding. Just like driving a car it is possible
to operate a camera without looking at the controls. The photographer must spend time with any
piece of equipment so that they are able to operate it intuitively. When watching an event unfold
the photographer can increase their chances of capturing the decisive moment by presetting the
focus and exposure.
ACTIVITY 5
Create an image that captures the decisive moment of an action or interaction.
Discuss the balance or imbalance of your image.Orien Harvey