It's easy to photograph light reflecting from a surface, the truly hard part is capturing the light in the air.
Walker EvansRead
It is easy to imagine fantasy as physical and myth as real. We do it almost every moment. We do this as we dream, as we think, and as we cope with the world about us. But these worlds of fantasy that we form into the solid things around us are the source of our discontent. They inspire our search to find ourselves.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote explores how our imaginations create both fantasy and myth, influencing our perception of reality and our quest for identity.
Walker Evans highlights the interplay between our fantasies and realities, suggesting that while we may find comfort and inspiration in our imagined worlds, they can also lead to dissatisfaction with our actual lives. The essence of the quote lies in understanding that these fabricated realms not only shape our dreams and thoughts, but also spark our pursuit of self-discovery, making us aware of the disconnect between our idealized visions and the realities we face.
Themes
ImaginationFantasyMythSelf-DiscoveryRealityDiscontent
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about the power of imagination.
More from Walker Evans
All quotes →That’s my idea of what a portrait ought to be, anonymous and documentary and a straightforward picture of mankind.
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The meaning of quality in photography's best pictures lies written in the language of vision. That language is learned by chance, not system.
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It is the way to educate your eye and more. Stare, pry, listen, eavesdrop.
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Stare, pry, listen, eavesdrop. Die knowing something. You are not here long.
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Whether he is an artist or not, the photographer is a joyous sensualist, for the simple reason that the eye traffics in feelings, not in thoughts.
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