Look and Think Before You Shoot – A Few Photo Quotes

by John Neel

Dress in Window - © John Neel

Dress in Window – © John Neel

 

 

“…the eye and the camera see more than the mind knows.” – Nathan Lyons

Here are a few quotes by some of the greatest image-maker’s and an essayist, as well as a few images, which I think help to illustrate what is stated.

In my own works, I have attempted to create photographs that reveal or at least imply something other than what seems obvious. The words to follow are great ways to think about your own images and while viewing the works of others.

 

“Look and think before opening the shutter. The heart and mind are the true lens of the camera.” – Yousuf Karsh

Fathom - © John Neel

Fathom – © John Neel

 

 

 

“Lately I’ve been struck with how I really love what you can’t see in a photograph.” – Diane Arbus

 

 

 

Dogwood Shadow - © John Neel

Dogwood Shadow – © John Neel

 

“Our job is to record, each in his own way, this world of light and shadow and time that will never come again exactly as it is today.”- Edward Abbey

Car - © John Neel

Car – © John Neel

 

 “I now measure my growth as a photographer in terms of the degrees to which I am aware of, have developed my sense of, and have the skills to symbolize visually the four dimensional structure of the universe.” – Wynn Bullock

Docent - © John Neel

Docent – © John Neel

 

 

 

 

“One should not only photograph things for what they are but for what else they are.” – Minor White

 

Homeless - © John Neel

Homeless – © John Neel

 

 

 

 

 

“…all photographs are self-portraits.” – Minor White

 

 

 

 

 

“I wanted people to be aware of the crass consumerism of the American culture, but young people are not taught to have social concerns. The emphasis is on being financially successful. Plus there is too much to do, and people can’t sort it out. Look in the Sunday paper, and there are a zillion things to go do. Why be socially concerned when you can go out and have fun?” – Bill Owens

 

 

Please have a look at some of my other posts here.

NOTICE of Copyright: THIS POSTING AS WELL AS ALL PHOTOGRAPHS, GALLERY IMAGES, AND ILLUSTRATIONS ARE COPYRIGHT © JOHN NEEL AND ARE NOT TO BE USED FOR ANY PURPOSE WITHOUT WRITTEN CONSENT FROM THE WRITER, THE PHOTOGRAPHER AND/OR lensgarden.com. THE IDEAS EXPRESSED ARE THE PROPERTY OF THE PHOTOGRAPHER AND THE AUTHOR.

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