A few days ago, a friend of mine (thanks, Mohan!) shared a link via email. In it, Eric Krim, a photographer shares his thoughts on what Henri Cartier-Bresson teaches us, still, about street photography. As someone who has gravitated from landscape to street and portraits, all the ten points ring very true. But perhaps the one that stands out is this:
4.) Stick to one lens
Though Henri Cartier-Bresson shot with several different lenses while on-assignment working for Magnum, he would only shoot with a 50mm if he was shooting for himself. By being faithful to that lens for decades, the camera truly became “an extension of his eye”.
I’ve long been an admirer of constraints. Constraints on one’s work or tools that one uses during that work. By having less of something, you are forced to be more creative, improvise better and dance around your own laziness.
