The Decisive Moment
In 1952, famed photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson published his seminal work, “The Decisive Moment” and it’s been studied and pulled apart and discussed by thousands of photographers and educators since. This work is often considered to be one of the most important photobooks of the twentieth century.
While yes, it is a wonderful monograph on some of Bresson’s best work … for me, it is a statement about “seeing” something wonderful enough to capture. Or being there for the moment that wants to be captured for eternity. THAT is the importance I see in this book and what has motivated so many of the images I’ve captured through the years.
Here are just a few.
Protest
One of the benefits of living in and around our nations capital is the existence of an enormous amount of protests. If you’re a street or documentary photographer, this area is rife with subject matter.
Back in 2019, I heard about the upcoming March For Life rally and knew the opportunities to make art would be high. As I walked through the crowd I witnessed many people in active protest ... many were yelling or chanting or waving banners and placards to get their messages across. Then I came across this young man. He was just standing, and listening, and watching it all unfold before him. For me, it was a poignant reminder how slowing down can give us the opportunity to really listen.
Baptism
I will frequently take walks through Rock Creek Park to “see what I can see.” It’s such a storied and wonderful place in the heart of DC. I can imagine I feel the way I do about this park, the way New Yorkers feel about Central Park.
On this day ... I was walking toward the waterfall at Pierce Mill and spotted a group of people emerging from the water and I immediately knew I was witnessing the last phases of a water Baptism. I watched for a moment to see if they would stop for prayer or celebration and they did.
The two girls dropped to their knees, the pastor and members of the congregation encircled them and I witnessed the final blessing and consecration.
