The photographer, even in fashion and portraiture, has to have a standpoint. It's important to know what you stand for, no? Most people just take pictures, but they stand for nothing. They follow trends and don't know why.
Peter LindberghRead
People think that it is important to learn by assisting the great photographers. I say that is a big mistake. Be happy; just learn from any little guy. Learn how to use the camera - you don't need anything else. You can't be taught the real skill anyway.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Learning can come from anyone, not just the experts; focus on practicing your skills.
Peter Lindbergh emphasizes the value of practical experience over formal mentorship from renowned experts in photography. He suggests that aspiring photographers can learn valuable skills from any person, regardless of their status, and that true artistic talent cannot simply be taught but must be cultivated through hands-on experience and individual expression.
Themes
PhotographyLearningExperienceSkillsCreativity
In practice
Example use cases
During a photography workshop, I could mention this quote to inspire participants to explore their skills with each other.
More from Peter Lindbergh
All quotes →The most important part of fashion photography, for me, is not the models; it's not the clothes. It's that you are responsible for defining what a woman today is. That, I think, is my job.
Peter LindberghRead
Women must be freed from the idea that they always have to stay young and that they must disfigure themselves at a certain age.
Peter LindberghRead
I thought fashion was just the pretext to do images with lots of freedom and get them published in magazines. You could express your point of view, make statements about women and about what you believe in.
Peter LindberghRead
If photographers are responsible for creating or reflecting an image of women in society, then, I must say, there is only one way for the future, and this is to define women as strong and independent. This should be the responsibility of photographers today: to free women, and finally everyone, from the terror of youth and perfection.
Peter LindberghRead
Fashion photography should say something about the stability of a certain time you live in or what kind of women you like. The most interesting thing is not what they're wearing but who they are.
Peter LindberghRead
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