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The mission of photography is to explain man to man and each to himself. And that is the most complicated thing on earth.
Edward Steichen
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Photography serves as a medium for self-exploration and understanding among people.

Edward Steichen's quote highlights the profound role of photography in fostering communication and introspection. By capturing moments and emotions, photography allows individuals to connect with others and themselves, revealing the complexities of human experience and the intricacies of existence.

Themes

PhotographyUnderstandingCommunicationSelf-ExplorationHumanity

In practice

Example use cases

During a photography exhibit, I quoted Steichen to emphasize the importance of images in understanding human emotions.

More from Edward Steichen

Photography is a major force in explaining man to man.
Edward SteichenRead
You know... that a blank wall is an apalling thing to look at... _x000D_ The wall of a museum - a canvas - a piece of film - or a guy sitting in front of a typewriter. Then, you start out to do something - that vague thing called creation. The beginning strikes awe within you.
Edward SteichenRead
The use of the term art medium is, to say the least, misleading, for it is the artist that creates a work of art not the medium. It is the artist in photography that gives form to content by a distillation of ideas, thought, experience, insight and understanding.
Edward SteichenRead

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Quote by Edward Steichen | QuoteProject