When you start out, you're not really aware. I didn't have a sense of photographic history. Herb Ritts More Quotes by Herb Ritts More Quotes From Herb Ritts Many people who excel are self-taught. Herb Ritts taught self people I think a lot of the time these days people are so concerned about having the right camera and the right film and the right lenses and all the special effects that go along with it, even the computer, that they're missing the key element. Herb Ritts keys people thinking Regardless of whether you speak the language or are familiar with a culture, the picture should hold up. Herb Ritts rehabilitation language culture For me, the most important thing I learned was just honing my eye. I think I had a good eye. Herb Ritts eye keys thinking It's important to let your subjects be themselves. Herb Ritts subjects important photography I like form and shape and strength in pictures. Herb Ritts form shapes photographer To me it's just going for the moment that counts. Sometimes, I'll have all the elements there, and I like to play and push something, and to me, in the end, you do achieve things that you're not aware of in the beginning, even though you're there trying to get them. Herb Ritts elements play trying Today a lot of things are so celebrity-oriented; it's only because it's celebrity and the photograph is lost. To me it's important to have an image that is a photograph first, not about necessarily who that person is. Herb Ritts important today firsts I'd go down to the end of my street, to a garage that had a certain feeling about it, or a particular light; I'd take a picture of a friend who needed a head shot. That's how I learned, instead of having school assignments and learning camera techniques. Herb Ritts light feelings school What I particularly liked was that, coming from California and not being involved in the New York scene, I developed my personal way, in my own way, at my own pace. Herb Ritts hygiene california new-york Within two hours of where I live, you have mountains and desert as location. I like the natural elements that abstract into light, texture, shape and shadow. Herb Ritts shadow light two Generally, the French highly promote culture and the arts, and photography is in their blood. Herb Ritts photography blood art It's always more comforting to know that in any given corner of any room or any location you're on, you can make a photograph that you'll appreciate. Herb Ritts appreciate comforting rooms Even though I didn't get a business degree, I enjoyed learning about economics. Herb Ritts graduation inspirational funny Being an American is about having the right to be who you are. Sometimes that doesn't happen. Herb Ritts be-who-you-are liberty sometimes Each time I did assignments or editorials, I realized that I wanted to do something more. I saw that it wasn't just about the clothes. Herb Ritts assignments clothes saws Well, I liked it - that was the main thing. I liked it, but I didn't think of it in terms of a career. I didn't really know; I didn't really think about it. One thing just led to another until finally I quit my job as a salesman and found myself working as a photographer. Herb Ritts photography jobs thinking The education, the cultural awareness, is different in Europe, especially in France, from that in the United States. So I think the public will be much more appreciative of many images. Herb Ritts united-states europe thinking Actually, when I first started dabbling in photography, I was still working for my parents as a salesman. Herb Ritts parent photography firsts And what excites me most is the type of public, the fact that the Parisian people have a broader cultural understanding than many Americans do. Herb Ritts understanding facts people