There's always been a separation between fashion and what I call my 'deeper' work. Fashion is where I make my living. I'm not knocking it. It's a pleasure to make a living that way. It's pleasure and then there's the deeper pleasure of doing my portraits. It's not important what I consider myself to be, but I consider myself to be a portrait photographer.
I am, and forever will be, devastated by the gift of Audrey Hepburn before my camera. I cannot lift her to greater heights. She is already there. I can only record. I cannot interpret her. There is no going further than who she is. She has achieved in herself her ultimate portrait.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses awe for Audrey Hepburn's natural beauty and artistry, highlighting the photographer's role in capturing rather than enhancing her essence.
Richard Avedon reflects on his profound admiration for Audrey Hepburn, emphasizing that her intrinsic qualities and charisma are already of the highest caliber, making it impossible for him, as a photographer, to elevate her image further. Instead, his role is merely to capture her essence, acknowledging that Hepburn's true artistry and beauty are inherent and require no additional interpretation or enhancement.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech at a photography exhibition, one might say, 'As Richard Avedon illustrated with Audrey Hepburn, great art lies in capturing the essence of the subject.'
More from Richard Avedon
All quotes →I never wanted to be called an artist. I wanted to be called a photographer.
Photography has always reminded me of the second child.. trying to prove itself. The fact that it wasn't really considered an art.. that it was considered a craft.. has trapped almost every serious photographer.
My portraits are more about me than they are about the people I photograph.
When you pose for a photograph, it's behind a smile that isn't yours. You are angry and hungry and alive. What I value in you is that intensity. I want to make portraits as intense as people.
I think all art is about control, the encounter between control and uncontrollable.
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Hang yourself, poet, in your own words. _x000D_ Otherwise, you are dead.
The artist part of me always wants to be appreciated. I read every review. But I never wanted to seek validation by awards or anything controlled by politics.
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