Quotes by famous photographers as sources of inspiration

Many of us have come across quotes by famous or well-known photographers. Perhaps some of those quotes have helped us better understand the science, art, and magic of photography, as well as of life, in general.

Here are two quotes by photographer Ansel Adams (1902 – 1984) that have always inspired me:

“You don’t take a photograph, you make it.”

My two cents: “Taking” implies that something is already there and we, as photographers, just “take” it or grab it. Yet, the idea of an image starts in our minds, oftentimes inspired by mundane activities, sometimes thoughts, etc. It’s our job, as photographers, to bring it to life in the form of an image, a photograph.

“You don’t make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved.”

I believe that the second quote, in a way, completes or at least extends the meaning of the first one. We don’t just “press a button” to “take” an image. We pour into that image all our passions and experiences, everything that defines us as artists, photographers, and as human beings, too. Thus, we give that image a soul, a life of its own.

Food for thought….

Do you have any quotes that have inspired your photography work? Please feel free to share in the comments, below.

Stay inspired!

And, as always, thanks for stopping by,

Alina Oswald