The photo is a thing in itself. And that's what still photography is all about.
Garry WinograndRead
For me the true business of photography is to capture a bit of reality (whatever that is) on film...if, later, the reality means something to someone else, so much the better.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Photography captures moments of reality, creating connections with viewers through shared experiences.
Garry Winogrand emphasizes that the essence of photography lies in its ability to capture reality, regardless of its subjective interpretation. The goal is not only to preserve moments but to evoke meaning for those who later engage with the photograph, highlighting the shared human experience behind each image.
Themes
PhotographyRealityArtMeaningConnection
In practice
Example use cases
In a photography exhibition, one might say this quote to explain the purpose of their work.
More from Garry Winogrand
All quotes →The photograph should be more interesting or more beautiful than what was photographed
Garry WinograndRead
Photography is about finding out what can happen in the frame. When you put four edges around some facts, you change those facts.
Garry WinograndRead
When I’m photographing I see life.
Garry WinograndRead
Photography is not about the thing photographed. It is about how that thing looks photographed.
Garry WinograndRead
I like to think of photographing as a two-way act of respect. Respect for the medium, by letting it do what it does best, describe. And respect for the subject, by describing it as it is. A photograph must be responsible to both.
Garry WinograndRead
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