Blog Author Richard Newman
Quotes are part of our everyday life, whether they’re from the Bible, Shakespeare, Mark Twain, Theodore or Eleanor Roosevelt, Albert Einstein or Yogi Berra. We tend to fall back on them for inspiration, to help explain what matters most in our lives or get us through difficult or challenging times. Do you have some favorite quotes that you pull out of your hat or put on your refrigerator door or above your desk?
I’d like to take this opportunity to share some of my favorite photography and life quotes with you. I hope you enjoy them.
Imogen Cunningham was a true inspiration to me. She lived to be 93 and photographed every day as I understand it. Several of my friends and colleagues had the pleasure of working for her in her studio in San Francisco from time to time. She was a wonderful teacher during a period when it was a man’s world and she shared herself without hesitation.
- “Which of my photographs is my favorite? The one I’m going to take tomorrow.”
Dorothea Lange left it all on the playing field during her time photographing for the Farm Security Administration (FSA) during the depression. Her portrait of a women in the Central Valley of California during the 30’s has what can be best described as “stopping power.” It is impossible to walk past an original print of that image and not stop and just stare at the emotion contained within that image.
- “The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.”
Diane Arbus showed us a world that very few have seen. She was a true pioneer in photography. Rather than expound with my simple words, I’ll let Diane do the talking.
- “Taking pictures is like tiptoeing into the kitchen late at night and stealing Oreo cookies.”
- “I really believe there are things nobody would see if I didn’t photograph them.”
I’m going to close with a couple of quotes that I find inspirational, and that I ponder everyday for strength and hope.
- “There is one thing the photograph must contain, the humanity of the moment.”
— Robert Frank
- “When the power of love surpasses the love of power, we will find real peace."
— Jimi Hendrix
I would love for you to share some of your favorite quotes.