corduroy magazine

We spent the day yesterday checking out some of the new exhibitions at the beautiful Maison Européenne de la Photographie situated in the heart of Paris. The museum —  noted for its contemporary photography collection — has organized a new show about Henri Cartier-Bresson to coincide with the centenary of the legendary photographer’s birth. Cartier-Bresson has influenced generations of photographers (including us), with his 35mm snapshots of “captured moments,” that highlighted “real life” as art and re-defined the very notion of modern photojournalism. He had a deft ability to spot evocative images and hidden moments, and had the intuitiveness to click away on his trademark Leica. Think of him as the guy who started the “street-style photography” technique so prevalent nowadays in magazines and blogs.

More than 300 of Cartier-Bresson’s works are on display at the MEP, including his iconic 1932 black and white photograph, Behind the Gare St. Lazare, seen at right. As Bresson recalls, he heard the sound of splashing as people skipped over rubble and puddles near the railway station. He went over to investigate and took this picture while peeking through a gap in the fence with his camera. Many have suggested this particular image as one of the most fascinating and iconic photographs of the 20th century.

While you’re at the museum, make sure to also check out “Geometry and Passion” — the first-ever retrospective in France of Ferdinando Scianna’s work. These two exhibitions alone enthralled us for almost an entire afternoon and we highly recommend them both if you get a chance to visit Paris in the next few months. Details on all the exhibitions at the Maison Européenne de la Photographie can be found by heading online to www.mep-fr.org.