Nobody thinks about technical issues anymore because cameras or camera phones take care of that automatically. On the other hand, you still have the option of controlling every technical aspect. It's the most accessible, democratic medium available in the world.

Martin Parr

If you photograph for a long time, you get to understand such things as body language. I often do not look at people I photograph, especially afterwards. Also when I want a photo, I become somewhat fearless, and this helps a lot. There will always be someone who objects to being photographed, and when this happens you move on.

Martin Parr

moving-on photography long

I go straight in very close to people and I do that because it's the only way you can get the picture. You go right up to them. Even now, I don't find it easy. I don't announce it. I pretend to be focusing elsewhere. If you take someone's photograph it is very difficult not to look at them just after. But it's the one thing that gives the game away. I don't try and hide what I'm doing - that would be folly.

Martin Parr

games giving people

You have to take a lot of bad pictures. Dont' be afraid to take bad pictures... You have to take a lot of bad pictures in order to know when you've got a good one.

Martin Parr

knows order

All photography is propaganda.

Martin Parr

propaganda photograph photography

Photography is the simplest thing in the world, but it is incredibly complicated to make it really work.

Martin Parr

photography inspiring world

I think the ordinary is a very under-exploited aspect of our lives because it is so familiar.

Martin Parr

aspect ordinary thinking

With photography, I like to create a fiction out of reality. I try and do this by taking society's natural prejudice and giving this a twist.

Martin Parr

photography giving reality

To ask people's permission to take their pictures? Sometimes it feels right to ask, but I will not ask, unless it is essential to do so. If you asked all the time, you would miss everything. With the exception of portraits, it is generally bad news if people are looking at the camera.

Martin Parr

missing sometimes people

You can read a lot about a country by looking at its beaches: across cultures, the beach is that rare public space in which all absurdities and quirky national behaviors can be found.

Martin Parr

space beach country

I see things going on before my eyes and I photograph them as they are, without trying to change them. I don't warn people beforehand. That's why I'm a chronicler. I speak about us and I speak about myself.

Martin Parr

eye trying people

The easy bit is picking up a camera and pointing and shooting. But then you have to decide what it is you’re trying to say and express.

Martin Parr

shooting cameras trying

Part of the role of photography is to exaggerate. Most of the photographs in your paper, unless they are hard news, are lies. Fashion pictures show people looking glamorous. Travel pictures show a place looking at its best, nothing to do with the reality... Most of the pictures we consume are propaganda.

Martin Parr

fashion photography lying

You can't learn passion, either you've got it or you haven't.

Martin Parr

passion havens

The thing about tourism is that the reality of a place is quite different from the mythology of it.

Martin Parr

tourism different reality

We are drowning in images. Photography is used as a propaganda tool, which serves to sell products and ideas. I use the same approach to show aspects of reality.

Martin Parr

photography reality ideas

I am what I photograph.

Martin Parr

ego photograph

Part of the role of photography is to exaggerate, and that is an aspect that I have to puncture. I do that by showing the world as I really find it.

Martin Parr

roles photography world

I accept that all photography is voyeuristic and exploitative, and obviously I live with my own guilt and conscience. It's part of the test and I don't have a problem with it.

Martin Parr

tests guilt photography

I try to photograph my own and society's hypocrisy.

Martin Parr

hypocrisy photograph trying

Most of the pictures we consume are propaganda.

Martin Parr

propaganda glamorous