The more I photograph women, the less it is about transformation. Women are beautiful. All that really matters is enhancing that.
It's a choice - there are two different sorts of photographer: those obsessed with the technicalities and those obsessed by the subject.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes that photographers can be divided into two types based on their focus: the technical aspects of photography or the subjects they capture.
Mario Testino's quote highlights the fundamental choice photographers make in their craft; they can either prioritize the intricate technical details of photography, such as lighting and equipment, or they can immerse themselves in the emotional and narrative qualities of their subjects. This distinction reflects broader perspectives in art, where the artist's intent and focus greatly influence their creations and the connection they establish with their audience.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared during a photography workshop to highlight different approaches to the craft.
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So here I stand before you preaching organic architecture: declaring organic architecture to be the modern ideal and the teaching so much needed if we are to see the whole of life, and to now serve the whole of life, holding no traditions essential to the great TRADITION. Nor cherishing any preconceived form fixing upon us either past, present or future, but-instead-exalting the simple laws of common sense-or of super-sense if you prefer-determining form by way of the nature of materials.
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.
The worst time in any writer's life is the two months before publication. ALL writers become mental and pathetic, even those of devout faith, who have some psychological healing to lean up against, and gorgeous lives. All writers think that this time, the jig is up, and they will be exposed as frauds.
Jazz is a very accurate, curiously accurate accompaniment to 20th century America.
Beauty is a primeval phenomenon, which itself never makes its appearance, but the reflection of which is visible in a thousand different utterances of the creative mind, and is as various as nature herself.
I started being interested in acting when I heard the voices of Sir Laurence Olivier and Sir John Gielgud and Sir Alec Guinness. Ive had the great privilege of working with Sir Derek Jacobi and Sir Anthony Hopkins. These are people who inspire the work that I do.