My photographs at best hold only a small length, but through them I would suggest and criticize and illuminate and try to give compassionate understanding. W. Eugene Smith More Quotes by W. Eugene Smith More Quotes From W. Eugene Smith With considerable soul searching, that to the utmost of my ability, I have let truth be the prejudice. W. Eugene Smith truth-is prejudice soul The first word I would remove from the folklore of journalism is the word objective. W. Eugene Smith folklore journalism firsts Many claim I am a photographer of tragedy. In the greater sense I am not, for though I often photograph where the tragic emotion is present, the result is almost invariably affirmative. W. Eugene Smith emotion photographer tragedy The purpose of all art is to cause a deep and emotion, also one that is entertaining or pleasing. Out of the depth and entertainment comes value. W. Eugene Smith depth purpose art I would that my photographs might be, not the coverage of a news event, but an indictment of war - the brutal corrupting viciousness of its doing to the minds and bodies of men; and, that my photographs might be a powerful emotional catalyst to the reasoning which would help this vile and criminal stupidity from beginning again. W. Eugene Smith emotional powerful war My pictures are complex and so am I. W. Eugene Smith complexes photographer You can't photograph if you're not in love. W. Eugene Smith photograph ifs What's the best type of light? Why that would be available light... and by available light I mean any damn light is available. W. Eugene Smith light would-be mean I would that my photographs might be, not the coverage of a news event, but an indictment of war. W. Eugene Smith news events war ... to became neighbours and friends instead of journalists. This is the way to make your finest photographs. W. Eugene Smith finest photographer way My pictures are complex and so am I. When I am almost symbolistic in writing, there is a more limiting difference’s of accepting, while I can be even more complex in the photographs and people can usually accept them within the framework of their own limitations or lack of limitations – there is no dictionary meaning… they can look up for the photographic image and allow it to confuse them. W. Eugene Smith differences writing people Up to and including the moment of exposure, the photographer is working in an undeniably subjective way. By his choice of technical approach, by the selection of the subject matterand by his decision as to the exact cinematic instant of exposure, he is blending the variables of interpretation into an emotional whole. W. Eugene Smith emotional choices decision Most photographers seem to operate with a pane of glass between themselves and their subjects. They just can't get inside and know the subject. W. Eugene Smith glasses photography photographer I am an idealist. I often feel I would like to be an artist in an ivory tower. Yet it is imperative that I speak to people, so I must desert that ivory tower. To do this, I am a journalist - a photojournalist. But I am always torn between the attitude of the journalist, who is a recorder of facts, and the artist, who is often necessarily at odds with the facts. My principle concern is for honesty, above all honesty with myself. W. Eugene Smith honesty artist attitude The photographer must bear the responsibility for his work and its effect …[for] photographic journalism, because of its tremendous audience reached by publications using it, has more influence on public thinking than any other branch of photography. W. Eugene Smith photography responsibility thinking An artist must be ruthlessly selfish. W. Eugene Smith selfish photographer artist
