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Quote by W. Eugene Smith

“Hardening of the categories causes art disease.”

Quote by W. Eugene Smith

Author

W. Eugene Smith

W. Eugene Smith was an influential American photographer known for his profound documentary photography. His work is renowned for its empathy towards human suffering and its focus on social issues. Smith's contributions to photography have had a lasting impact, and he is widely considered one of the greatest photographers of the 20th century. more

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“Most photographers seem to operate with a pane of glass between themselves and their subjects. They just can't get inside and know the subject.”

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“What use having a great depth of field, if there is not an adequate depth of feeling?”

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“The purpose of all art is to cause a deep and emotion, also one that is entertaining or pleasing. Out of the depth and entertainment comes value.”

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“In music I still prefer the minor key, and in printing I like the light coming from the dark. I like pictures that surmount the darkness, and many of my photographs are that way. It is the way I see photographically. For practical reasons, I think it looks better in print too.”

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“My pictures are complex and so am I.”

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“Up to and including the moment of exposure, the photographer is working in an undeniably subjective way. By his choice of technical approach, by the selection of the subject matterand by his decision as to the exact cinematic instant of exposure, he is blending the variables of interpretation into an emotional whole.”

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“The journalistic photographer can have no other than a personal approach; and it is impossible for him to be completely objective. Honest—yes. Objective—no.”

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“I didn’t write the rules. Why would I follow them?”

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“My photographs at best hold only a small length, but through them I would suggest and criticize and illuminate and try to give compassionate understanding.”

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“The photographer must bear the responsibility for his work and its effect …[for] photographic journalism, because of its tremendous audience reached by publications using it, has more influence on public thinking than any other branch of photography.”

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