All the arts are based on the presence of man, only photography derives an advantage from his absence. Photography affects us like a phenomenon in nature, like a flower or a snowflake whose vegetable or earthly origins are an inseparable part of their beauty.
Interpretation
Photography uniquely captures moments in time, often highlighting beauty even in absence, unlike other art forms.
In this quote, Andre Bazin emphasizes that while all artistic expressions rely on human presence and interpretation, photography stands apart by its ability to capture the essence of a subject even in its absence. This characteristic allows photography to evoke emotions similarly to natural phenomena, celebrating beauty in a way that is deeply connected to its surroundings yet distinct in its aesthetic impact.
In practice
In a speech about the impact of photography on modern art.
There's just certain styles of playing that you do play in your own way. Maybe it's in the way your fingers bend, for all I know. And so whenever you pick up the guitar it's not so much the sound of the instrument itself, it's like the ting that you add onto it-the attitude.
Music helps you find the truths you must bring into the rest of your life.
Immature poets imitate; mature poets steal; bad poets deface what they take, and good poets make it into something better, or at least something different.
I was an only child. I lost both my parents. By the time I was twenty I was bald. I'm homosexual. In the way of circumstances and background to transcend I had everything an artist could possibly want. It was practically a blueprint.
From the very beginning, I was very interested just in light, and art seemed to be a way to work with it.
Everything we design is a response to the specific climate and culture of a particular place.
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