Zodiac – © John Neel

 “To me, photography is the simultaneous recognition, in a fraction of a second, of the significance of an event as well as of a precise organization of forms which give that event its proper expression.” – Henri Cartier-Bresson

“The Decisive Moment” is a period of time in which an image is realized and captured. I think of it as the length of time required to record the vision. There are many variables, which need to be realized. Capturing the subject/object is only one of many considerations. The time it takes to be decisive may also require awareness, good luck, chance, skill, and the right equipment.

While generally implying the exact instant of recognition and capture, “The Decisive Moment” can be the period of time an image requires to transpire as a photograph. There are many factors that need to come into play before the image can materialize. The Decisive Moment is usually considered the time when all of the elements are right for the exposure to occur. The amount of time it takes to realize that image can actually be a huge variable.

“The Decisive Moment” can also be a reference for choosing the right day, hour, moment second or split second in which an image might be realized. I would take it even further to include the time of year, the year itself and possibly the century. In order to be complete, it has to do with all the other things that need to be a part of the final image. The moment also includes the decisions made for focus, aperture, shutter speed, lighting, composition, and a slew of artistic and expressive criteria.

Floating Man – © John Neel

“The Decisive Moment” is when all of the considerations come together. It is the time frame when everything within the image frame is in synchrony. It means that the camera and lens are in the right place, with the right subject and at the right period of time. It means that the photographer and the camera are one with the subject and everything about the subjects framed reach a point of visualization. It is the crucial decision for when to press the shutter and capture the image. The “instant of capture” is the culmination of the process of image capture.

However, that is not the only part of image creativity. There is also the post processing, which becomes a crucial decision making activity in the making of an image. Many images of a subject can be captured with a camera; however, it is usually a post process of discovering the image/images, which captures the totality of the subject photographed. This post process is part of the final decision making of the time captured and is a consideration to the success of the image outcome.

In my way of thinking, “The Decisive Moment” is not a scale, but a realization of when the image is worth shooting and when it is ready for display. There are many considerations that must be met before the image becomes a photograph. The phrase we have come to know is simply a period of time when we recognize that we have something of great interest before the camera, when we have found the point in time where all the elements have come together, and when we make the decision to trip the shutter. That point in time, if successful is the instant, which we might better portray as “The Moment of Truth”. The “Truth” part is whether it works as an image or if it doesn’t.

The context of time is significant to the understanding of the image being captured. The concept of “The Decisive Moment” can be seen as “Relative Time” and is dependent on many factors, which also include the method of capture, (Not all images are taken in an instant) the nature of the subject, the story or concept being expressed and perhaps it’s intended audience.

“The Decisive Moment” is the realization that the image is complete – no matter how long it takes.

Rethinking Digital Photography

I cover many photographic topics in my book – Great Photography Gift Idea for the Holiday.

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