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George McGovern

(8,010 posts)
Wed May 21, 2025, 03:28 PM May 21

Henri Cartier-Bresson on Ansel Adams

“The world is falling apart and he's in California photographing ROCKS!” Henri Cartier-Bresson regarding his colleague Ansel Adams.
In essence, the quote highlights a clash between a more socially conscious approach to photography, exemplified by Bresson's work, and a more focused approach on nature, as represented by Adams and his colleagues.

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CaliforniaPeggy

(154,470 posts)
1. Boy, talk about oversimplifying the issues in photography!
Wed May 21, 2025, 03:35 PM
May 21

Bresson is waaaaaaaaaaaay out of line on this.

Yes, we sure do need political art.

We also need art that will feed our souls.

Good grief.

Thanks for the quote, dear George.

George McGovern

(8,010 posts)
4. You're welcome Peggy. When I came across this quotation I decided its posting might be controversial . . .
Wed May 21, 2025, 04:13 PM
May 21

Walleye

(41,369 posts)
2. Cartier-Bresson, I followed his advice when I was working for the newspaper
Wed May 21, 2025, 03:38 PM
May 21

“Anticipate, and then be patient”

sop

(15,127 posts)
3. Adams played a significant role in establishing national parks and promoting environmentalism.
Wed May 21, 2025, 03:48 PM
May 21

His work with the Sierra Club led him to actively lobby Congress for the preservation of wilderness areas. Both Cartier-Bresson and Adams were great photographers.

Blues Heron

(7,167 posts)
7. Ansel then replied the "planet is being destroyed and my friend Henri is in Paris shooting picnics and puddles"
Wed May 21, 2025, 04:29 PM
May 21

Grumpy Old Guy

(3,953 posts)
9. I had never heard this before.
Mon May 26, 2025, 10:54 AM
May 26

That same argument continues to this day.

I compare it to the world of music. Some people love cassical music, others love rock, jazz, country, bluegrass, blues, soul, gospel, Zydeco, Kkesmer, etc.

It's all music, and many professionals admire and learn from those outside their own discipline.

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