Home / Authors / Bill Brandt

Bill Brandt

Bill Brandt Quotes

Photographer

Bill Brandt, born on May 3, 1904 in Hamburg, Germany, and died on December 20, 1983 in London, England, was a renowned German-born British photographer. Known for his unique photographic style and profound understanding of the art of photography, his work spans a variety of genres including portraiture, landscape, and documentary.

Filter quotes by topic

All Photographer Photography Subjects Effects Matter Should Firsts Photograph Sports World Children First Time Ifs Knows Looks Seeing Stills Achieve Atmosphere Believe

Famous Bill Brandt Quotes

“The good photographer will produce a competent picture every time whatever his subject. But only when his subject makes and immediate and direct appeal to his own interests will he produce a work of distinction.”

Interest Subjects Produce Direct Photographer Appeals Distinction Competent

Book:Bill Brandt: Selected Texts & Bibliography

Source: Bill Brandt: Selected Texts & Bibliography

“I am not very interested in extraordinary angles. They can be effective on certain occasions, but I do not feel the necessity for them in my own work. Indeed, I feel the simplest approach can often be most effective. A subject placed squarely in the center of the frame, if attention is not distracted from it by fussy surroundings, has a simple dignity which makes it all the more impressive.”

Source: Bill Brandt: Selected Texts & Bibliography

“If there is any method in the way I take pictures, I believe it lies in this: See the subject first. Do not try to force it to be a picture of this, that or the other thing. Stand apart from it. Then something will happen. The subject will reveal itself.”

Ifs Way Trying Firsts Believe Happens Lying Force I Believe Subjects Photography Method Photographer

Book:Bill Brandt: Selected Texts & Bibliography

Source: Bill Brandt: Selected Texts & Bibliography

“Andre Breton once said that a portrait should not only be an image but an oracle one questions, and that the photographer's aim should be a profound likeness, which physically and morally predicts the subject's entire future.”

Should Said Subjects Aim Profound Photographer Portraits Oracles

Author:Bill Brandt

“A photographer must be prepared to catch and hold on to those elements which give distinction to the subject or lend it atmosphere.”

Giving Subjects Elements Photography Prepared Photographer Atmosphere Distinction Be Prepared

Book:Bill Brandt: Selected Texts & Bibliography

Source: Bill Brandt: Selected Texts & Bibliography

“And only the photographer himself knows the effect he wants. He should know by instinct, grounded in experience, what subjects are enhanced by hard or soft, light or dark treatment.”

Knows Want Should Hard Light Dark Subjects Effects Photography Instinct Photographer Treatment Grounded

Book:Camera in London

Source: Camera in London

About the Author

Born: May 3, 1904
Died: December 20, 1983
Known for: Photographer
Quotes: 27

Related Topics

Photographer Photography Subjects Effects Matter Should Firsts Photograph Sports World Children First Time Ifs Knows Looks Seeing Stills Achieve Atmosphere Believe

Popular Topics

People Ifs Thinking Knows Men World Way Want Love Life Inspirational Needs Giving Feels Should Writing Trying Years Mind Firsts

Books & Sources

Bill Brandt: Selected Texts & BibliographyRelated source material

Camera in LondonRelated source material

Similar Authors

Jay MaiselBrowse related quotes
Andreas FeiningerBrowse related quotes
Frederick SommerBrowse related quotes
Sebastiao SalgadoBrowse related quotes
Elliott ErwittBrowse related quotes
Joyce TennesonBrowse related quotes
Berenice AbbottBrowse related quotes
Josef KoudelkaBrowse related quotes
Emmet GowinBrowse related quotes
Walker EvansBrowse related quotes