Henri Cartier-Bresson was one of the finest photographers of the Twentieth Century.

Originally trained as an artist, he became a photojournalist known for capturing, as he called it, the “decisive moment.”   Using an unobtrusive 35 millimeter camera, he disappeared into a scene allowing his subjects to be natural rather than posed and created the possibility for capturing an extraordinary moment on film.

He described his role as a photographer as “I was there and this is how life appeared to me at that moment.” Looking through a portfolio of Cartier-Bresson’s work, it becomes obvious that life as it appeared to him was full of mystery and surprise.   His remarkable images of fleeting moments in time, often framed within the geometry of streets and buildings, can show the marvelous that hides in plain sight in our everyday world.

How did he catch these moments on film?  “I’m not responsible for my photographs.  Photography is not documentary, but intuition, a poetic experience.  It’s drowning yourself, and then sniff, sniff, sniff – being sensitive to coincidence.  You can’t go looking for it; you can’t want it, or you won’t get it.  First you must lose your self.  Then it happens.”

More simply said, “You just have to live and life will give you pictures.”

For more information:
Cartier-Bresson was a founding member of Magnum Photos which has a portfolio of his work on their website.  

Charlie Rose interviewed Henri Cartier-Bresson on July 6, 2000.

April was ‘Earth Month’ at Whole Earth. One of the components was to raise money for local environmental organizations around the state of Texas. Our store in the Quarry Market Center in San Antonio collected donations from our customers, staff, and friends for the benefit of Green Spaces Alliance of South Texas, an innovative non-profit doing wonderful projects all over Bexar County.

Shown above from the left is Max Kokinda, Whole Earth store manager, presenting a check for over $1,400 to Susan Hughes, Green Spaces Executive Director, and Blair Condon on the right, also a Green Spaces manager. They plan to employ the funds in their ‘Picture Your World’ youth photography program: one that fosters an appreciation of nature, art, and creativity in elementary school students in San Antonio.

We extend our deepest gratitude to all the community-minded folks in San Antonio who contributed to this Earth Month endeavor. Great job!

The Banff Mountain Film Festival is hosted as a benefit each Spring ( in Austin ) by Whole Earth Provision Co. The 2011 beneficiary of that festival is Westcave Preserve, which is located in southwestern Travis County. Recently the proceeds from the Banff fest totaling $4000.00 was presented to Molly Stevens, Executive Director  of Westcave, (pictured on the left above) by Whole Earth’s General Manager, Walter Wakefield.

Whole Earth is a proud supporter of Westcave Preserve and we highly recommend that you take a look at what this wonderful 75 acres of Hill Country has to offer.

SAVE OUR WATER

Again this summer, Chaco footwear and Whole Earth Provision Co. are teaming up to the benefit of almost everyone’s favorite Texas park: Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. Several thousands of dollars have been contributed through the previous editions of this program. To help out, simply visit any of the eight Whole Earth stores around the state and for every pair of Chacos you buy, Chaco will donate $5.00 to the beneficiary that Whole Earth has designated.

Whole Earth is happy to once again pick the Friends of Enchanted Rock to utilize the funds raised through this program at the Rock. The event is scheduled to be active from June 25th through July 10th.  The Friends of Enchanted Rock has decided to use this year’s funds to save water in the park. Conserving water is especially important at Enchanted Rock as water shortage is a serious issue there. This being the third consecutive year of drought, the plan is to replace all the existing plumbing in the restrooms to low flow, water saving fixtures. They may literally run out of water this summer due to the outdated, water-
wasting faucets, urinals, and shower heads still in place.

We say its way overdue in coming. Please help. And, of course, you will love your new pair of Chacos.

Whole Earth’s Dallas stores conducted a funddrive this Spring to benefit Cedar Ridge Preserve in southern Dallas. Above, store manager Dana Campbell (right) presents a check for $1036 to Robert Rinker, executve director of Cedar Ridge. The funds will be used to help maintain more than nine miles of trails within this wonderful piece of urban wilderness managed by the Dallas Audubon Society.

‘Thanks’ to all the generous patrons of Whole Earth’s two Dallas locations for your great support. Please take the short drive out to Cedar Ridge to enjoy a day of hiking, trail running or wildlife viewing. More information and directions.