Photography has been shaped and elevated by the visionaries who have pioneered the craft, capturing iconic moments and pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling.
In this blog post, we pay homage to the icons of photography through a collection of quotes that reflect their insights, philosophies, and profound understandings of the art.
From Ansel Adams‘ landscapes to Dorothea Lange’s documentary work, these quotes provide a glimpse into the minds of those who have left an indelible mark on the world of photography.
Join us as we explore the wisdom and inspirations encapsulated in this article.
Focus on Greatness: Quotes from the Icons of Photography
“You don’t take a photograph, you make it.” – Ansel Adams
‘The best thing about a picture is that it never changes, even when the people in it do.’ – Andy Warhol
‘Photography is the story I fail to put into words.’ – Destin Sparks
‘In photography, the smallest thing can be a great subject.’ – Henri Cartier-Bresson
‘What I like about photographs is that they capture a moment that’s gone forever, impossible to reproduce.’ – Karl Lagerfeld
‘Photography is an art of observation. It has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.’ – Elliott Erwitt
‘The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.’ – Dorothea Lange
‘To photograph is to hold one’s breath when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality. It’s at that precise moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy.’ – Henri Cartier-Bresson
‘Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst.’ – Henri Cartier-Bresson
‘Photography is the only language that can be understood anywhere in the world.’ – Bruno Barbey
‘If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn’t need to lug around a camera.’ – Lewis Hine
‘The more pictures you see, the better you are as a photographer.’ – Robert Mapplethorpe
‘Photography is a love affair with life.’ – Burk Uzzle
‘In photography, there is a reality so subtle that it becomes more real than reality.’ – Alfred Stieglitz
‘What I like about photographs is that they capture a moment that’s gone forever, impossible to reproduce.’ – Karl Lagerfeld
‘Photography is the only language that can be understood anywhere in the world.’ – Bruno Barbey
‘Photography is the story I fail to put into words.’ – Destin Sparks
‘Photography is the beauty of life captured.’ – Tara Chisholm
‘It’s one thing to make a picture of what a person looks like, it’s another thing to make a portrait of who they are.’ – Paul Caponigro
‘The best images are the ones that retain their strength and impact over the years, regardless of the number of times they are viewed.’ – Anne Geddes
‘Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever… It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.’ – Aaron Siskind
‘I believe photographers should shoot what they want, not shoot what they get.’ – Roberto Valenzuela
‘Photography is an art of observation. It has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.’ – Elliott Erwitt
‘There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs.’ – Ansel Adams
‘Photography is about capturing souls, not smiles.’ – Dragan Tapshanov
‘Photography is the only language that can be understood anywhere in the world.’ – Bruno Barbey
‘Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever… It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.’ – Aaron Siskind
‘If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.’ – Robert Capa
‘You don’t take a photograph, you make it.’ – Ansel Adams
‘Photography is the beauty of life captured.’ – Tara Chisholm
‘Photography is an art of observation. It has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.’ – Elliott Erwitt
‘In photography, the smallest thing can be a great subject.’ – Henri Cartier-Bresson
‘You don’t take a photograph, you make it.’ – Ansel Adams
‘The best thing about a picture is that it never changes, even when the people in it do.’ – Andy Warhol
‘Photography is the beauty of life captured.’ – Tara Chisholm
‘To photograph is to hold one’s breath when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality. It’s at that precise moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy.’ – Henri Cartier-Bresson
‘A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you, the less you know.’ – Diane Arbus
‘Your photography is a record of your living, for anyone who really sees.’ – Paul Strand
‘The whole point of taking pictures is so that you don’t have to explain things with words.’ – Elliott Erwitt
‘Photography is an art of observation. It has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.’ – Elliott Erwitt
‘Photography is the story I fail to put into words.’ – Destin Sparks
‘The camera makes you forget you’re there. It’s not like you are hiding, but you forget, you are just looking so much.’ – Annie Leibovitz
‘Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever… It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.’ – Aaron Siskind
‘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.’ – Ansel Adams
‘What I like about photographs is that they capture a moment that’s gone forever, impossible to reproduce.’ – Karl Lagerfeld
‘Photography is the beauty of life captured.’ – Tara Chisholm
‘A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you, the less you know.’ – Diane Arbus
‘Photography is about capturing souls, not smiles.’ – Dragan Tapshanov
‘A photograph is a moral decision taken in one eighth of a second.’ – Salman Rushdie
‘Photography is the story I fail to put into words.’ – Destin
Conclusion
As we conclude our exploration of Quotes from the Icons of Photography, it’s evident that these visionaries have not only captured images but have also shared invaluable perspectives on the art and its impact.
Whether you’re an aspiring photographer or someone who simply appreciates the magic of a well-crafted photograph, may these quotes serve as windows into the minds of those who have shaped the landscape of photography.
Let their words inspire you, challenge you, and deepen your appreciation for the art form.
Here’s to the enduring legacy of these photographic pioneers, whose insights continue to guide and resonate with photographers around the world. Happy shooting!
