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Quote by Martin Parr

“I looked around at what my colleagues were doing, and asked myself, 'What relationship has it with what's going on?' I found there was a great distortion of contemporary life. Photographers were interested only in certain things. A visually interesting place, people who were either very rich or very poor, and nostalgia.”

Author

Martin Parr

Martin Parr (born May 23, 1952) is a renowned British documentary photographer, photojournalist, and photobook collector, known for his satirical, humorous, and vividly colored social documentary photography. A member and former president of Magnum Photos, Parr focuses on consumerism, globalization, class differences, and the absurdity of everyday life. His iconic series include 'The Last Resort,' 'Common Sense,' and 'Luxury.' Parr's work has redefined contemporary documentary photography, influencing visual culture worldwide. more

“I go straight in very close to people and I do that because it's the only way you can get the picture. You go right up to them. Even now, I don't find it easy. I don't announce it. I pretend to be focusing elsewhere. If you take someone's photograph it is very difficult not to look at them just after. But it's the one thing that gives the game away. I don't try and hide what I'm doing - that would be folly.”

People Ifs Way Giving Trying Looks Would Be Games Easy Difficult One Thing Photograph Folly Elsewhere

Author:Martin Parr

“The easy bit is picking up a camera and pointing and shooting. But then you have to decide what it is you’re trying to say and express.”

Trying Easy Bits Cameras Shooting Pointing

Author:Martin Parr

“You can read a lot about a country by looking at its beaches: across cultures, the beach is that rare public space in which all absurdities and quirky national behaviors can be found.”

Country Culture Found Space Behavior Beach Absurdity Quirky

Author:Martin Parr

“Color was the palette of commercial photography and snapshot photography.”

Color Photography Palette Snapshots

Author:Martin Parr