I've lost one of my heroes today. If you're a photography geek, you'll understand why this really puts a lump in my throat.

Henri Cartier-Bresson's was a style I tried to emulate...well before I had ever even heard of him. As a kid, running around with my little Kodak 110 camera, I always sought out the unposed portraits in natural light, and cropping my photos before I took the picture (no Photoshop back in the day, dont'cha know). When I first saw a book with his photos in it, I was completely riveted and utterly moved by the elegant simplicity of his work. I knew then that I had found my photography "teacher". I owe my deep appreciation (and decided preference) for black-and-white photography to Henri Cartier-Bresson (and Ansel Adams). Alas, black-and-white photography can be a harsh mistress and after a good two decades of effort, I'm still completely humbled when I see his work and mentally compare my progress to it.

Merci, Monsieur Cartier-Bresson. You will be greatly missed, but never, ever forgotten.