Henri Cartier-Bresson Photography Books

Best Henri Cartier-Bresson Books for Beginners & Professionals + Reviews & Where to Buy

Who is Henri Cartier-Bresson?

Born in Chanteloup, Seine-et-Marne, in 1908, Henri Cartier-Bresson developed a strong fascination with painting early on, particularly with Surrealism. In 1932, after spending a year in the Ivory Coast, he discovered the Leica, his camera of choice thereafter, and began a lifelong passion for photography.

Taken prisoner of war in 1940, he escaped on his third attempt in 1943 and subsequently joined an underground organization to assist prisoners and escapees. In 1945, he photographed the Liberation of Paris with a group of professional journalists, then filmed the documentary Le Retour (The Return).

In 1947, with Robert Capa, George Rodger, David "Chim" Seymour, and William Vandivert, he founded Magnum Photos. After three years spent traveling in the East, he returned to Europe in 1952, where he published his first book, Images à la Sauvette (published in English as The Decisive Moment).

He explained his approach to photography in these terms, "for me the camera is a sketch book, an instrument of intuition and spontaneity, the master of the instant which, in visual terms, questions and decides simultaneously… It is by economy of means that one arrives at simplicity of expression."

From 1968, he began to curtail his photographic activities, preferring to concentrate on drawing and painting. In 2003, with his wife and daughter, he created the Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson in Paris for the preservation of his work. Cartier-Bresson received an extraordinary number of prizes, awards, and honorary doctorates. He died at his home in Provence on August 3, 2004, a few weeks short of his 96th birthday.

Henri Cartier-Bresson Portrait

"To take a photograph is to align the head, the eye and the heart. It's a way of life." — Henri Cartier-Bresson

Best Henri Cartier-Bresson Photography Books

1. The Decisive Moment - Henri Cartier-Bresson's Masterpiece

The Decisive Moment by Henri Cartier-Bresson

Publication: 2015

Format: Hardcover Book（160 pages）

Rating: ★★★★★ (4.5/5)

Best for: Photography students, street photography enthusiasts, art collectors

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Why This Book is Essential:

One of the most important photobooks of the 20th century, scrupulously reproduced as a facsimile of the original. Within the canon of European photography books it would be difficult to find one more famous, revered and influential as Henri Cartier-Bresson's The Decisive Moment.

Key Features:

  • Originally published in 1952, this collection showcases Cartier-Bresson's best work from his early years
  • Embellished with a collage cover by Henri Matisse
  • First and only reprint since the original 1952 edition
  • Meticulous facsimile of the original book that launched the artist to international fame
  • Includes additional booklet on the history of The Decisive Moment by Centre Pompidou curator Clément Chéroux
  • Defined the notion of "the decisive moment" in photography

Editor's Note: This book has influenced generations of photographers, while its English title defined the notion of the famous peak in which all elements in the photographic frame accumulate to form the perfect image—not the moment of the height of the action, necessarily, but the formal, visual peak.

2. Masters of Photography Series - Henri Cartier-Bresson

Masters of Photography Series Henri Cartier-Bresson

Publication: 2005

Format: Hardcover Book（96 pages）

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.6/5)

Best for: Photography students, art historians, collectors

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Comprehensive Overview:

Henri Cartier-Bresson reveals—as only a few great artists have done—the variety and richness of human experience in the twentieth century. This second volume of Aperture's Masters of Photography series confirms the genius of the photographer who—with the new, smaller, hand-held cameras and faster films—defined the idea of "the decisive moment" in photography.

Key Features:

  • Part of Aperture's acclaimed Masters of Photography series
  • Presents 42 of the artist's photographs, each recognized as a masterpiece
  • Cartier-Bresson offers a brief statement about what drives his work
  • Intimate but utterly respectful imagery of his subjects
  • Captures glimpses of individual lives in scores of countries
  • Constitutes a personal history of epic scope

Why We Recommend It: Cartier-Bresson's imagery is intimate but utterly respectful of his subjects. In his travels throughout the world, he has captured glimpses of individual lives in scores of countries. Taken together, Cartier-Bresson's works constitute a personal history of epic scope.

3. Henri Cartier-Bresson: Photographer

Henri Cartier-Bresson: Photographer Retrospective

Publication: August 11, 2020

Format: Hardcover Book (344 pages)

Rating: ★★★★★ (4.8/5)

Best for: Art collectors, photography historians, serious enthusiasts

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Definitive Retrospective:

This book offers an outstanding retrospective collection of the master of 20th-century photography, Henri Cartier-Bresson. Reproduced in exquisite black and white, the images in this book range from Henri Cartier-Bresson's earliest work in France, Spain, and Mexico through his postwar travels in Asia, the US, and Russia, and even include landscapes from the 1970s, when he retired his camera to pursue drawing.

Key Features:

  • Comprehensive retrospective spanning his entire career
  • Exquisite black and white reproductions
  • Divided into six thematic sections with spare double-page spreads
  • Features handwritten notes from Cartier-Bresson
  • High-quality printing and binding
  • 344 pages of masterful photography

Why This Book is Special: While his instinct for capturing what he called the decisive moment was unparalleled, as a photojournalist Cartier-Bresson was uniquely concerned with the human impact of historic events. In his photographs of the liberation of France from the Nazis, the death of Ghandi, and the creation of the People's Republic of China in 1949, Cartier-Bresson focused on the reactions of the crowds rather than the subjects of the events. In a handwritten note included at the end of the book, Cartier-Bresson writes, "In order to give meaning to the world, one must feel involved in what one singles out through the viewfinder."

Where to Buy Henri Cartier-Bresson Photography Books

Amazon - Best for Convenience

Amazon offers the widest selection of Henri Cartier-Bresson books with competitive pricing:

  • Prime shipping for quick delivery
  • Customer reviews and ratings
  • Used book options for better prices
  • Digital versions for some publications

Independent Bookstores - Best for Quality

Local photography and art bookstores often carry signed editions and limited releases.

  • Better print quality inspection before purchase
  • Expert staff recommendations
  • Support local businesses

Direct from Publishers - Best for Collectors

Publishers like Thames & Hudson offer signed editions and special collector's versions.

  • Limited editions and special releases
  • Higher quality printing and binding
  • Direct support for photography publishers

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the "decisive moment"?

The "decisive moment" is Henri Cartier-Bresson's famous concept in photography. He described it as "the simultaneous recognition, in a fraction of a second, of the significance of an event as well as the precise organization of forms which gives that event its proper expression." It's about capturing the perfect moment when all elements align to create a meaningful photograph.

Which Henri Cartier-Bresson book is best for beginners?

For beginners, we recommend starting with "Masters of Photography Series" as it provides an excellent introduction to Cartier-Bresson's work at an affordable price. "The Decisive Moment" is essential reading for understanding his philosophy, while "Photographer" offers the most comprehensive retrospective of his career.

Are Henri Cartier-Bresson books expensive?

Prices vary depending on the book and edition. Paperback editions typically cost $20-40, while hardcover collector's editions can cost $50-150. Original vintage editions, especially signed copies, can command thousands of dollars at auction. We recommend checking current prices on Amazon or other retailers for the most up-to-date pricing information.

Where can I find signed Henri Cartier-Bresson books?

Signed editions are rare and expensive since Cartier-Bresson passed away in 2004. Check specialized photography bookstores, auction houses, or contact the Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson in Paris. Authentication is critical, as forgeries exist in the market.

What makes Henri Cartier-Bresson's photography special?

Cartier-Bresson's work is known for its perfect timing, geometric composition, and humanistic approach. He pioneered street photography and photojournalism, capturing candid moments that reveal the essence of human experience. His work helped establish photography as a fine art form and influenced generations of photographers.

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