Photography is more than a medium for factual communication of ideas. It is a creative art.
Ansel AdamsRead
Photography is an investigation of both the outer and the inner worlds. The first experiences with the camera involve looking at the world beyond the lens, trusting the instrument will 'capture' something 'seen.' The terms shoot and take are not accidental; they represent an attitude of conquest and appropriation. Only when the photographer grows into perception and creative impulse does the term make define a condition of empathy between the external and the internal events.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Photography requires a balance between observing the world and expressing one's inner thoughts and emotions.
In this quote, Ansel Adams emphasizes the dual nature of photography as both a way to explore the external reality and a means to delve into the photographer's internal landscape. He suggests that the act of capturing an image goes beyond mere mechanics and involves a deeper connection and understanding between what is seen and the emotions or thoughts it evokes in the photographer. The transition from a simple act of 'shooting' to a more thoughtful engagement with subjects reflects a growth in artistic sensitivity and intent.
Themes
PhotographyArtCreativityExpressionPerception
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a photography workshop to inspire students about the deeper meaning behind taking photos.
More from Ansel Adams
All quotes →It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the environment.
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A good photograph is knowing where to stand.
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With all art expression, when something is seen, it is a vivid experience, sudden, compelling, and inevitable.
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The sheer ease with which we can produce a superficial image often leads to creative disaster.
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You don't make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved.
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