Analysing famous pictures

Does the 'Magnum machine' have that kind of clout? What do you have in mind some kind of artistic conspiracy theory?!

There are also many other talented Magnum photographers apart from HCB. Why might the 'machine' single out him?

Because He is by far, their biggest sourse of income. The star player!
Think of all those lovely book sales, exhibitions, magazine and newspaper reproductions, Fees for Magnum involvment in documentaries, etc.

Cui bono?

Okay say he is - though I'm sure they'd be just as happy to earn income from shots by Don McCullin, Robert Capa, Bill Brand etc. etc. But is little Magnum really in a position to brainwash a gullible public? I think not.

As I said, surely a much more logical explanation for HCB having the reputation he has is that the man was hugely talented. Not that it's the product of a devious conspiracy by Magnum to sell books/images.

To my eye, his mastery of composition and light is self evident in his best work - this has nothing to do with hype.

Little Magnum?! - Magnum is a very big outfit, with offices on three continents. Very sniffy and litigious, too! HCB was one of the founders, and presumably, his estate is still a major shareholder.
Sure, they represent other photographers, and most are better than 'ol 'Enry. But, as I said earlier, He is the Wayne Rooney (even if he is dead) of Magnun United. Certainly in it's early days, He WAS Magnum.

Magnum may be a major photographic agency, but I wouldn't say a mere photographic agency (even one with offices in three continents - phew!) has the capacity to manipulate the media, academics, auction houses, collectors, photographers etc. in the manner you imply. I'd be sceptical of the ability of major multinational corporations such as say Sony, or Murdoch's media empire, or Unilever, to pull the wool over people's eyes like this. But Magnum? Do me a favour!

Slowly, slowly. Bit by bit, over many decades, and much careful fostering and building of the legeng by Magnum. Helped along by the Dealers, Art critics, College professors, Collectors, Galleries, Sunday suppliments and the Chattering classes.- It takes a while, but eventually, most will see the Emperor's new clothes.

Blimey, I've been duped! And America was behind 9/11 as a pretext for sorting out unfinished Bush family business in Iraq, right?!

Oh!... Great! - A fellow member of The Conspiraloon Alliance!

Before or after Tom Selleck?

....Always amusing to follow another post about HCB and his legacy to the photographic world as we know today.

I remember a post on Flickr a long time ago which up-till now holds the record of one of the longest and most heated discussions ever in the history of that community.
A guy posted this and asked for C&C, knowing most of the people responding would not have a clue. Needless to say he got burned about the alleged bad composition, lack of detail and the fact it wasn't sharp. It really got amusing after he confessed and told everybody which photo he had posted. The way all the posters tried to squeeze out of their previous comments and find a way to suddenly praise the geniality of HCB was very funny...to put it mildly.

Stating a opinion on HCB and his work is however helped if people understand the time these pictures were taken. HCB was "given" the first production model of a Leica, because he was a journalist and Leica in their wisdom knew that this was the way to change photojournalism and the way it was practised forever.
Before the introduction of the Leica the photogs had to struggle with heavy, slow and large equipment.Almost always leading to very static and often staged photography.

But now.....After the Leica introduction, photog's were able to capture "life"
as it took place. Spontaneous and raw. The "decisive moment", was something that now could be captured because of the mechanics of that camera and absence of any shutter lag.HCB was a master in capturing that split of a second moment.
Have a look at some of these pictures and try to understand what they have in common.
If you notice it you will appreciate and understand him.

But.....don't measure or judge his quality or even geniality to this days standard of High Def, Full Rez, Digitally Enhanced 24 hours CNN society. See him in the context of his own era, almost 80 years ago. And only than.....maybe people can comprehend the sheer geniality he was capable of, by capturing those moments in history and documenting it for the future.

Very fair points Martin, very well presented.

Many of the early Leica images would not be suitable for our current expectation of an A3 print.

Many of us photographers would get a very nasty shock if we had to use the kit that HCB was using...

now THAT photograph I can see merit in, I like that one. The timing of the shot, and just enough motion blur to imply speed (probably unavoidable with the film of the day, but well placed none the less). Perhaps I should look into this person a little more.

Context - absolutely the key word here.

It's very easy for people to forget how easy the modern photographer has it. That people like HCB were able to capture images which have stood the test of time, using vastly inferior equipment to even today's hobbyists, really speaks volumes about their skill, and the importance of composition over technical brilliance.