“To chart a course, one must have a direction. In reality, the eye is no better than the philosophy behind it. The photographer creates, evolves a better, more selective, more acute eye by looking ever more sharply at what is going on in the world. Like every other means of expression, photography, if it is to be utterly honest and direct, should be related to the life of the times-the pulse of today. The photograph may be presented as finely and artistically as you will, but to merit serious consideration, must be directly connected with the world we live in.” IfsWorldShouldMayMeanPhilosophyRealityEyeTodayCoursesBehindsHonestSeriousExpressionPhotographyDirectPhotographerPhotographConnectedEvolveMeritRelatedConsiderationPulseSelective Author:Berenice Abbott
“I didn't want to be criticized for taking low-quality photographs, so I tried to reach the best, highest quality of photography and then to combine this with a conceptual art practice. But thinking back, that was the wrong decision [laughs]. Developing a low-quality aesthetic is a sign of serious fine art-I still see this.” ThinkingWantArtStillsDecisionQualityPracticeLaughingSeriousFinePhotographyHighestLowsPhotographerPhotographDevelopingAestheticFine ArtsWrong DecisionConceptual Art Author:Hiroshi Sugimoto
“I think most serious photographers understand that there's this large gap between the world and how the world looks through a photograph.” ThinkingWorldLooksSeriousPhotographerPhotographGaps Author:Stephen Shore
“I often think we do not take this business of photography in a sufficiently serious spirit. Issuing a photograph is like marriage: you can only undo the mischief with infinite woe.” ThinkingSpiritSeriousPhotographyInfinitePhotographWoeMischief Book:Select Conversations with an Uncle (Now Extinct) and Two Other Reminiscences Source: Select Conversations with an Uncle (Now Extinct) and Two Other Reminiscences
“There are many aspects about what and why we photograph: visual pleasure, personal empathy, intellectual stimulation, technical excellence, etc. Serious photographers and artists will try to create works that are original. Over a career period they may develop a singular identity in their images.” TryingMayArtistPleasureCareersIdentitySeriousPeriodsIntellectualEmpathyAspectOriginalsExcellencePhotographerPhotographVisualsEtcStimulation Author:Michael Kenna