Skip to content

Rene Char wrote somewhere, apropos poetry, that there are…

“Rene Char wrote somewhere, apropos poetry, that there are those who create and those who discover; they are too completely different worlds. Photograph also has two sides to it and thank goodness, I am only intersted in those who discover; I feel a certain solidarity with those who set out in a…” quote by Henri Cartier-Bresson
Download Open image
“Rene Char wrote somewhere, apropos poetry, that there are those who create and those who discover; they are too completely different worlds. Photograph also has two sides to it and thank goodness, I am only intersted in those who discover; I feel a certain solidarity with those who set out in a spirit of discovery; I think there is much more risk invovled in this than in trying to create images; and in the end, reality is more important.”

Henri Cartier-Bresson

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker distinguishes between creating and discovering, valuing discovery as riskier and more aligned with reality, especially in photography.

In simple terms: Discovery in art is riskier than creation.

Key Takeaway

Discovery aligns art with reality.

Themes

creativity risk reality photography discovery

Mood

reflective inquisitive

Type

philosophical observational

When to use this quote

  • documentary photography
  • photojournalism
  • exploratory art
  • research-driven imaging

Key Concepts

artistic intent perception authenticity

Practical Applications

  • photojournalistic storytelling
  • authentic visual documentation

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does discovery shape authenticity?
  • What risks does discovery entail?
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Henri Cartier-Bresson

Explore all 128 Henri Cartier-Bresson quotes

More Certain quotes

Browse all 13,673 Certain quotes