The camera is for us a tool, not a pretty mechanical toy ... people think far too much about techniques and not enough about seeing.
Henri Cartier-BressonRead
For the world is movement, and you cannot be stationary in your attitude toward something that is moving.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the inevitability of change and the need to adapt one's perspective accordingly.
Henri Cartier-Bresson's quote reflects the dynamic nature of the world and the importance of remaining flexible and open-minded. It suggests that standing still or holding a rigid attitude is impractical when faced with the constant movement and evolution of life and circumstances. To thrive, one must embrace change and actively engage with the shifting realities around them.
Themes
ChangeMovementAdaptationPerspectiveGrowth
In practice
Example use cases
Use this quote in a motivational speech to encourage adaptability during a team meeting.
More from Henri Cartier-Bresson
All quotes βThe most difficult thing for me is a portrait. You have to try and put your camera between the skin of a person and his shirt.
Henri Cartier-BressonRead
Photography has not changed since its origin except in its technical aspects, which for me are not important.
Henri Cartier-BressonRead
Photographier: c'est mettre sur la meme ligne de mire la tete, l'oeil et le coeur.
Henri Cartier-BressonRead
Above all, I craved to seize the whole essence, in the confines of one single photograph, of some situation that was in the process of unrolling itself before my eyes.
Henri Cartier-BressonRead
Pictures, regardless of how they are created and recreated, are intended to be looked at. This brings to the forefront not the technology of imaging, which of course is important, but rather what we might call the eyenology (seeing).
Henri Cartier-BressonRead
Similar quotes
Laboring through a world every day more stultified, which expected salvation in codes and governments, ever more willing to settle for suburban narratives and diminished payoffs--what were the chances of finding anyone else seeking to transcend that, and not even particularly aware of it?
Thomas PynchonRead
I really believe that all of us, as Americans... we all need to be treated like fellow human beings.
John LewisRead
The formula of the argument is simple and familiar: to dispose of a problem all that is necessary is to deny that it exists.
H. L. MenckenRead
Because of the media, the way the world is perceived is as a place where resources and time are running out. We're taught that you have to grab what you can before it's gone. It's almost as if there isn't time for compassion.
George MichaelRead
Every reiteration of the idea that nothing matters debases the human spirit.
David MametRead
Doctrine is not an affair of the tongue but of the life.
John CalvinRead