I've always wanted to be aware of what's going on around me, and I've wanted to use photography as an instrument of research into and reporting on the life of my own time.
Paul StrandRead
The photographer's problem is to see clearly the limitations and at the same time the potential qualities of his medium, for it is precisely here that honesty no less than intensity of vision is the pre-requisite of a living expression. The fullest realization of this is accomplished without tricks of process or manipulation, through the use of straight photographic methods.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A photographer must understand both the limits and possibilities of their medium to express themselves authentically.
In this quote, Paul Strand emphasizes the importance of recognizing the inherent strengths and weaknesses of photography as an artistic medium. He argues that true creativity and expression in photography come not from manipulation or trickery but from a deep understanding of the medium itself, allowing for honest and potent visual storytelling. This insight into the strengths of straightforward photography leads to a more authentic representation of the subject.
Themes
PhotographyHonestyArtistic ExpressionMediumVision
In practice
Example use cases
Using this quote in a photography workshop to discuss the importance of understanding one's tools.
More from Paul Strand
All quotes →No matter what lens you use, no matter what speed the film, no matter how you develop it, no matter how you print it, you cannot say more than you can see.
Paul StrandRead
It is one thing to photograph people. It is another to make others care about them by revealing the core of their humanness.
Paul StrandRead
I like to photograph people who have strength and dignity in their faces. Whatever life has done to them, it hasn’t destroyed them.
Paul StrandRead
It is easy to make a picture of someone and call it a portrait. The difficulty lies in making a picture that makes the viewer care about a stranger.
Paul StrandRead
The portrait of a person is one of the most difficult things to do. It means you must almost bring the presence of that person photographed to other people in such a way that they don't have to know that person personally, but that they are still confronted with a human being that they won't forget. That's a portrait.
Paul StrandRead
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