Thoughts on My Favorite Photography Quotes

“You don’t take a photograph, you make it." - Ansel Adams

"Beauty can be seen in all things, seeing and composing the beauty is what separates the snapshot from the photograph." – Matt Hardy

"A fancy camera and lights and a studio do not make a good photographer... those are only tools. If I gave you the best paintbrushes and paints in the world, do you think that you could paint like Michelangelo?"

 "It’s what you include, not what you exclude, because what you exclude no one has any idea exists." - Dan Winters

Above are four of my favorite quotes about photography. I was updating my Facebook page the other day, it occurred to me that I might spend a few moments explaining exactly what it is about these particular quotes that appeals to me.

The first by the great master Ansel Adams, and the second by Matt Hardy, are really referring to similar things for me. Due to the instant nature of photography, it is sometimes tempting to think that the photographer just got lucky when they pressed the shutter and the resulting image is wonderful.

Now, I'll be the first to admit that yes, there are occasions where this happens and the lighting conditions, the subject, the setting and just everything combine into the most beautiful harmony that you've ever heard (or seen). I have the word "serendipity" on the wall in my studio for just this very reason.

But to create images over and over again that are outstanding... that is not just luck. That is hard work and talent. So I think when Ansel Adams is referring to "making" a photograph, he means that there was effort and intention in most work. And when Matt Hardy speaks of "composing beauty", he means that same thing.

The third quote is meaningful to me because like a lot of photographers, I have serious bouts of equipment envy every once in a while. I see an incredible new lighting modifier, or a fat lens, and I have to wipe the drool off my chin! LOL
 
But aside from depriving my children of shoes ;-) I have finally realized that there's a much more compelling reason to not worry too much about the newest, shiniest equipment: At the end of the day, it's not the camera itself as it is who is wielding the camera.
 
The final quote is one I read recently in an interview of Dan Winters by Rob Haggert. This one is speaks to me on quite a few levels.
 
First, you can consider it a commentary on composing a photograph. What you leave in the frame is what counts. See my recent post about Lawson Lavender and the set I constructed... without seeing the behind-the-scenes shots, would you have known what the rest of the set looked like from the final image?
 
Second, it's a commentary for photographers building a portfolio. Be selective. What you leave in and display to the world is all anyone has to judge you by. You may have some masterpieces sitting on your hard drive, but although you know it's great work, no one else does. So show it off! Don't always put the safe stuff out there because you are afraid to take the risk.
 
Which brings me to the final reason I love that Dan Winters quote: it is a reminder to me that if you don't bring your best to every shot and gig you take on, if you don't INCLUDE that energy and love and attention in your photographs, no one will ever know they exist.

Don't let your photography be paved only with good intentions that never get seen. Bring the images that live in your mind to life and show them to the world!