I remember the first time I felt like art ever really spoke to me. I was in an art history class in college, and was assigned to do a presentation on henri cartier-bresson. I had never seen images, painting or photography which I felt  captured the essence of the individuals as well as cartier-bresson's stunning photographs. It was the first time I had ever felt connected to art and the first time I saw how powerful art could be. 

today, the french photographer would be 104 if he was still alive. a master of candid photography, he was never without his tool as he didn't want to miss a 'decisive moment.' 

born in marne, france he studied at the Lhote Academy in Paris in 1927 and trained as a classical painter only moving toward photography in the late 20s. 

he soon abandoned painting entirely and began to work with surrealist photographers in Europe. obsessed with moments and unaware subjects, he was one of the fathers of street photography. 

working in everything from fashion to film and eventually photojournalism, he became well rounded in style and approach. 

after spending 35 months as a prisoner of war, he began photographing the underground resistance - which was made into a film and a retrospective at the Museum of modern art in new york. 

his successful career continued into the 70s and onward. He died in Montjustin, France on August 3rd, 2004. 

happy birthday and thank-you mr. cartier-bresson, I owe you a lot.