One should really use the camera as though tomorrow you'd be stricken blind.
Dorothea LangeRead
A documentary photograph is not a factual photograph.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A documentary photograph conveys emotions and narratives beyond mere facts.
Dorothea Lange's assertion suggests that documentary photography aims to tell a deeper story, capturing the essence and context of a moment rather than simply presenting an objective reality. This perspective highlights the artistry and subjective interpretation involved in the creation of documentary images, reminding us that photographs can evoke feelings and communicate messages beyond their literal representation.
Themes
DocumentaryPhotographyArtStorytellingSubjectivity
In practice
Example use cases
In a photography exhibition discussing the impact of documentary art on societal issues.
More from Dorothea Lange
All quotes →Being disabled gave me an immense advantage. People are kinder to you. It puts you on a different level than if you go into a situation whole and secure.
Dorothea LangeRead
Surefire things are deadening to the human spirit.
Dorothea LangeRead
The words that come direct from the people are the greatest.If you substitute one out of your own vocabulary, it disappears before your eyes.
Dorothea LangeRead
Photographers stop photographing a subject too soon before they have exhausted the possibilities.
Dorothea LangeRead
You go into a room and you know where you're welcome; you know where you're unwelcome.Sometimes in a hostile situation you stick around because hostility itself is important.The people who are garrulous and wear their heart on their sleeve and tell you everything, that's one kind of person, but the fellow who's hiding behind a tree and hoping you don't see him is the fellow that you'd better find out why.
Dorothea LangeRead
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