Henri Cartier-Bresson

Henri Cartier-Bresson was interviewed in Paris by Charlie Rose on July 6, 2000. Though evasive and coy at times (“I’ll answer only in front of police,” he replied when Rose asked him to expound on his “anarchist” beliefs), Cartier-Bresson opened up about his life experiences, his artistic influences and his legacy. He also critiqued several of his photographs presented by Rose.

Cartier-Bresson explained his technique for shooting photographs. “I don’t think of photography,” he said. “I think of what I see and geometry: that means everything has to be composed properly. That’s because I started with drawing … I never quit drawing; a camera is a way of drawing.”

Rose asked how he knew when to snap. “When the subject takes me,” replied Cartier-Bresson. “I’m receptive and I shoot. It’s just to concentrate, concentrate. Inner silence. And you mustn’t want, you must be receptive. Don’t think even. The brain’s a bit dangerous. Sensitivity, the flavor, the upp.”

The interview is preceded by a short interview with photographer Richard Avedon, who calls Cartier-Bresson the greatest photographer of the 20th century.

To learn more about Henri Cartier-Bresson, read his profile on findingDulcinea.