Henri Cartier-Bresson's notion of the "decisive moment" in photography was inspired by words from Cardinal de Retz. Retz's original words are, "Il n'y a rien dans ce monde qui n'ait un moment decisif." Translated, "There is nothing in this world that does not have a decisive moment."

Here are some of my favorite moments decisively captured by some brilliant photographers:

The presence of people tends to create a "decisive moment" photograph. How boring would this picture be without the person blurring by on their bicycle?!

Behind the Gare St. Lazareby Henri Cartier-Bresson — Behind the Gare St. Lazare
by Henri Cartier-Bresson

I'm not sure what is happening here, nor am I sure how deep this water is, but the precision of capturing this moment just before the man's heel hits the surface of the water is outstanding - not to mention his use of an extremely imprecise camera compared to today's cameras. This is a perfect example of a "decisive moment."

If you're interested, this is a look through Cartier-Bresson's photobook The Decisive Moment:

Girl in Fulton Streetby Walker Evans — Girl in Fulton Street
by Walker Evans

Which "version" do you prefer?

I prefer the image on the right; I think it is more decisive. I feel like it is taken moments after the image on the left, just after the two men in the foreground stepped out of the shot and the woman just slightly turns her gaze.

I just love these two photos by Brassaï. They're not traditional "decisive moment" photos because there is at least one subject in each of them staring right at the camera's lens - right at us. He was obviously not taking these flash photographs in secret at 2am in dark at somewhat shady bars around Paris. The subjects seem like direct participants in the capturing of these, or should I say their, moments. Oh, and the 'kiss curls'...can't beat that. Those will be back in style in no time.

Woman on the Street with Her Eyes Closedby Diane Arbus — Woman on the Street with Her Eyes Closed
by Diane Arbus

Blinks don't last very long. People also don't walk down the street with their eyes closed very often. Was this taken during a blink? How long did this blink last? Was the woman standing with here eyes closed, taking in a deep breath of fresh air, before opening them again and continuing her stroll down the street?

Loyalist militiaman at the moment of death, Cerro Muriano, September 5, 1936by Robert Capa — Loyalist militiaman at the moment of death,
Cerro Muriano, September 5, 1936
by Robert Capa

What could be a more decisive moment for a photographer than watching your subject get shot and ultimately die? The constant moral dilemma of war photography: take the picture, or save the soldier?

World's Fair, New Yorkby Garry Winogrand — World's Fair, New York
by Garry Winogrand

You must click this picture and see it in its larger form. Each individual person on this bench has a story, and it's really fun to make up their stories! I wrote a poem inspired by this photo.

Untitledby Garry Winogrand — Untitled
by Garry Winogrand

I will never admit I know what is going on in this photograph, but it is definitely carrying the essence of "decisive moment."

Los Angeles, Californiaby Garry Winogrand — Los Angeles, California
by Garry Winogrand

Oh the shadows! Plus, the women, the man in the wheelchair, and the child turning to look at it all. Just wonderful!

Marilyn Monroeby Richard Avedon — Marilyn Monroe
by Richard Avedon

Surprise. I bet you saw this coming. I don't think I need to say more about this spectacular portrait than I already have. ;-) My FAVORITE decisive moment.

See Richard Avedon's Marilyn Monroe and Today I Asked Why.

Meudonby André Kertész — Meudon
by André Kertész

The photograph on the far right is the one truly titled Meudon. I wasn't a huge fan of this picture when I first saw it, but I became a fan when I saw this sequence of shots. Meudon is the perfect example of a decisive moment. Here's the photograph alone:

I will end the photographs with this:

Greta Garboby Edward Steichen — Greta Garbo
by Edward Steichen

At first glance, this looks like a simple portrait - not a decisive moment. But, according to my History of Photography professor, during this photoshoot, both Greta and Edward were getting a little bit frustrated. Greta leaned on the backside of a chair with a "my hair is driving me crazy!" gesture pulling back her hair and resting her elbows on the back of the chair. *snap* Decisive moment. Beautiful.

Some of Life's Decisive Moments:

Saying "I love you" for the first time...and waiting for him to say something (anything!) back.

Just some personal experience speaking here.

What's wrong?"

If you're asked this, you're not hiding it very well.  Is it worth unloading it all?

Is it worth burdening this person with what is "wrong"?

Do they actually care?  Will they understand?

Will they judge?  Will they offer unsolicited advice?

Running a red light...

a yellow light...

a purple light.

Crash.  Bang.  911.

Let's catch the later movie; we're not going to make it in time.

Stepping into a street before the beeps for the blind.

It's stranger than fiction.

"Deciding to write a cute boy on Facebook." - RTH

Yes, I meet people online.

Top of a step ladder.

Tippie toes...bad idea.

Entering an elevator.

Will you make it?

Hitting "Send," Clicking "Publish," Pressing "Share," and "Tweet."

Social media is not, and will not, be the death of me.  It only brings life.

It brings it in so many different ways and gives me so many verb options

for getting it all out there for you to read.

"Do you want to be boyfriends?" - JLH

"Do you?"  *sigh*  "Yes..."

Will you marry me?

Some of Life's Decisive Moments:

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