My favorite photography quotes and what they mean to me
Today I wanted to share my favorite photography quotes and what they mean to me and my photography.
Quote #1 – A portrait is not made in the camera but on either side of it. - Edward Steichen
So true. You can go out and take a photo of someone on the street or in some foreign country. But will it tell a story or convey some kind of emotion? You need to interact with your subjects and connect with them. That connection you make will create a sense of comfort between the photographer and the subject. And THAT COMFORT LEVEL will allow you to capture something special that goes beyond the click of the shutter.
Quote #2 – To me, photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place… I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them. - Elliott Erwitt
Things ring so true for me when I am out taking street photography photos. Elliott Erwitt is the master of placing something in a mundane photo that really captures your eye. It’s what makes his images so powerful. If you have seen my Paris photos, I follow his methodology by placing a ballet or modern dancer in a boring photo of the Eiffel tower. I think it makes my photos that much better.
Quote #3 – Photography, for me, is not looking; it’s feeling. If you can’t feel what you’re looking at, then you’re never going to get others to feel anything when they look at your pictures. - Don McCullin
This quote hits the nail on the head. Creating an emotion with the people looking at your images is what makes a good photo great. When I take a photo that makes me feel something, or if my excitement and passion come through in an image, I know it’s going to make you feel something,
Quote #4 – I think good dreaming is what leads to good photographs. - Wayne Miller
Long before I visit a location, whether it be wildlife, landscapes, or people, I start to look through images to get inspired by those that have gone before me. It always leads to daydreaming and anticipating the kind of photograph I want to take. I firmly believe that this dreaming helps me anticipate the moment I want to click the shutter.
Quote #5 – There will be times when you will be in the field without a camera. And you will see the most glorious sunset or the most beautiful scene that you have ever witnessed. Don’t be bitter because you can’t record it. Sit down, drink it in, and enjoy it for what it is! - DeGriff
This has happened to all of us, even when we have a camera in hand. Heat distortion or some atmospheric event can ruin an image. Sometimes it’s just better to sit back and enjoy the moment. The memory will last longer than the photo. The photo will go onto your hard drive; the moment can easily be recalled just by thinking about the trip.
Think of it this way… when photographing, you only see what’s in the viewfinder. Sitting back and watching it with your eyes allows you to experience the spectacle that you are witnessing.