An interesting narrative.

A friend sent this along. What makes it especially interesting is Cartier-Bresson’s narrative, in charmingly accented English, about his philosophy of street snapping. It doesn’t hurt that it opens with the two greatest street snaps of the last century – the man with the monocle in Valencia and the puddle jumper in Paris:

Some favorite quotes:

• “Life is once. Forever.”
• “Facts are not interesting. It’s the point of view.”
• “After a certain age you have the face you deserve, I think.” – On portraits.
• “You shouldn’t overshoot. It’s like overeating.”
• “You have to be quick, quick, quick.”
• “For me it’s a simple pleasure, photography. It doesn’t take any brains.”
• “I never think. I act quick.”
• “When you take a good picture it’s like milking a cow. You need a lot of milk to make a little cheese.”
• “I like English people very much. It’s the most exotic country for a Frenchman.”
• “Everybody has done ten good photographs in their life. What is important is to go on, on, on.”
• “I like life. I hate people also.”
• “Even if it’s ugly, it’s an affirmation”

The very best eighteen and a half minutes a street snapper can invest in.

Update June 15, 2011:

Bother, Vimeo has been forced to take the video down. If you can, try to see it elsewhere. It’s worth it.