The latest episode of The Perspective Photographer, number 459, dives into some thought-provoking perspectives on photography from some great quotes by other photographers. In these quotes, we see our need to connect to our work and subjects in a meaningful way to produce the best work possible. As we visit the quotes below we can start to see how images have the power to reveal secrets, capture humanity, and become canvasses that echo our connections.
A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you the less you know. —Diane Arbus
It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera… they are made with the eye, heart and head. —Henri Cartier-Bresson
A thing that you see in my pictures is that I was not afraid to fall in love with these people. — Annie Leibovitz
I used to think that I could never lose anyone if I photographed them enough. In fact, my pictures show me how much I’ve lost. ―Nan Goldin
It is easy to make a picture of someone and call it a portrait. The difficulty lies in making a picture that makes the viewer care about a stranger. — Paul Strand
People say don’t stare. Through the photos, not only do I stare, but I allow viewers to stare at the subject, to see things that they cannot see with a casual glance. —Dawoud Bey
There’s no particular class of photograph that I think is any better than any other class. I’m always and forever looking for the image that has spirit! I don’t give a damn how it got made. —Minor White
There is one thing the photograph must contain, the humanity of the moment. — Robert Frank
The majority of the people I’ve taken photographs of, I’ve had conversations with. What are your goals and aspirations? What are you about? It’s not just about me capturing the image; I want to know what you are about. —Jamel Shabazz
I didn’t want a completely passive viewer. Art means too much to me. To be able to articulate something visually is really an important thing. I wanted to make work where the viewer wouldn’t walk away; he would giggle nervously, get pulled into history, into fiction, into something totally demeaning and possibly very beautiful. —Kara Walker
I always say that photography’s closest cousin is poetry because of the way it sparks your imagination and leaves gaps for the viewer to fill in. —Alec Soth
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Gear used in the podcast
One of the questions I get asked frequently is what sort of equipment do I use to record my podcast. I have used a variety of equipment in the years that I have been recording, but here is the current list of equipment that I am using. Also as an FYI and full disclosure, the links are affiliate links to Amazon.
Rode Procaster XLR microphone
Rode Boom Arm
Rode PSM Shockmount
All three Rode components a kit
Focusrite Scarlet 2i2
Adobe Audition (part of creative cloud subscription)
LogicPro X
Macbook Pro
OWC Thunderbolt 3 dock
Headphones