The point of my photography has always been to challenge myself, to go a little further than my Germanic discipline and Teutonic nature would traditionally permit me to.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes pushing personal boundaries in photography beyond one's inherent traits.
Helmut Newton's quote reflects his desire to transcend the limitations imposed by his discipline and background, highlighting the importance of self-challenge in the creative process. By acknowledging his Germanic and Teutonic influences, he underscores the struggle to break free from conventional norms and to explore new artistic possibilities, ultimately urging artists to push their limits for greater expression.
In practice
A photography class discussing the importance of stepping out of comfort zones.
I have always avoided photographing in the studio. A woman does not spend her life sitting or standing in front of a seamless white paper background. Although it makes my life more complicated, I prefer to take my camera out into the street... and places that are out of bounds for photographers have always had a special attraction for me.
I like photographing women who appear to know something of life. I recently did a session with a great beauty, a movie star in in her thirties. I photographed her twice within three weeks and the second time I said: "You're much more beautiful today than you were three weeks ago." And she replied: "But I'm also three weeks older.
They often ask me to shoot for them. But I say no. I think an old guy like me ought not take pages away from young photographers who need the exposure.
I am very attracted by bad taste-it is a lot more exciting than that supposed good taste which is nothing more than a standardized way of looking at things.
I hate good taste. It's the worst thing that can happen to a creative person.
I collect my tools: sight, smell, touch, taste, hearing, intellect. Night has fallen.
Really good books need a chaos element: something weird or inexplicable.
The job of a storyteller is to speak the truth. But what we feel most deeply canβt be spoken in words alone. At this level, only images connect. And here, story becomes symbol; symbol is myth. And myth is truth.
No one can be an artist without a rich inner life.
Every authentic work of art is a gift offered to the future.
You can play a shoestring if you're sincere.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.