Photography is a contest between a photographer and the presumptions of approximate and habitual seeing. The contest can be held anywhere.
John SzarkowskiRead
The simplicity of photography lies in the fact that it is very easy to make a picture. The staggering complexity of it lies in the fact that a thousand other pictures of the same subject would have been equally easy.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Photography is easy in its execution but complex in its artistic expression due to the multitude of potential interpretations.
The quote by John Szarkowski emphasizes the dual nature of photography. While technically anyone can take a picture, the true complexity arises from the unique perspective and artistic interpretation that each photographer brings to the same subject. This complexity highlights how art is not just about capturing an image but about conveying a story or emotional depth that distinguishes one photograph from another.
Themes
PhotographyArtCreativityPerspectiveComplexity
In practice
Example use cases
In a photography contest, this quote could be shared to emphasize the unique vision of each participant.
More from John Szarkowski
All quotes →Photography is the easiest thing in the world if one is willing to accept pictures that are flaccid, limp, bland, banal, indiscriminately informative, and pointless. But if one insists in a photograph that is both complex and vigorous it is almost impossible
John SzarkowskiRead
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