If anyone gets in my way when I'm making a picture, I become irrational. I'm never sure what I am going to do, or sometimes even aware of what I do-only that I want that picture.
Margaret Bourke-WhiteRead
"Utter truth is essential, and that is what stirs me when I look through the camera."
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of capturing and conveying absolute truth through photography.
Margaret Bourke-White, a pioneering photojournalist, highlights that the core purpose of her work is to reveal the unfiltered truth of the world. She believes that the emotional and aesthetic power of photography lies in its ability to document reality authentically, stirring the viewer and engaging their emotions.
Themes
TruthPhotographyArtRealityDocumentary
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a photography workshop to inspire participants to focus on authenticity in their work.
More from Margaret Bourke-White
All quotes βIf you banish fear, nothing terribly bad can happen to you.
Margaret Bourke-WhiteRead
If you want to photograph a man spinning, give some thought to why he spins. Understanding for a photographer is as important as the equipment he uses.
Margaret Bourke-WhiteRead
As photographers, we live through things so swiftly. All our experience and training is focused toward snatching off the highlights... That all significant perfect moment, so essential to capture, is often highly perishable. There may be little opportunity to probe deeper.
Margaret Bourke-WhiteRead
The element of discovery is very important. I don't repeat myself well. I want and need that stimulus of walking forward from one new world to another.
Margaret Bourke-WhiteRead
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