Quote

Photographers - idiots, of which there are so many - say, Oh, if only I had a Nikon or a Leica, I could make great photographs. That's the dumbest thing I ever heard in my life. It's nothing but a matter of seeing, and thinking, and interest.

Andreas Feininger

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Andreas Feininger
Age: 92 †
Born: 1906
Born: January 1
Died: 1999
Died: January 1
Architect
Painter
Photographer
Paris
France
Andreas B. L. Feininger
Andreas Bernhard Lyonel Feininger
Andreas Bernhad Lyonel Feiniger
Andreas Feiniger
Great
Photography
Thing
Seeing
Dumbest
Make
Heard
Photographers
Thinking
Interest
Idiots
Life
Ever
Photographs
Nothing
Idiot
Matter
Photographer
Many
Photograph

More quotes by Andreas Feininger

Image
It's nothing but a matter of seeing, thinking, and interest. That's what makes a good photograph. And then rejecting anything that would be bad for the picture. The wrong light, the wrong background, time and so on. Just don't do it, not matter how beautiful the subject is.
Andreas Feininger
Image
And yet, in a superficial sense, it is true that the camera does not lie: given a chance, it will faithfully render everything within the field of view of the lens and show it precisely as it is.
Andreas Feininger
Image
Human vision is untrustworthy, subjective and selective. Camera vision is total and non - objective.
Andreas Feininger
Image
The first impression of a new subject is not necessary the best. Seen from a different angle or under different condition it might look even better. Always study a three - dimensional subject with one eye closed.
Andreas Feininger
Image
As an amateur you have an advantage over photographers - you can do as you wish... This should make amateurs the happiest of photographers.
Andreas Feininger
Image
Any good photograph is a successful synthesis of technique and art.
Andreas Feininger
Image
With a short lens I can reveal the hidden things near at hand, with a long lens the hidden things far away. The telephoto lens provides a new visual sensation for people: it widens their horizons. And, conversely, the things under our nose invariably look good when blown up really big.
Andreas Feininger
Image
Every successful photograph, except for lucky shots, begins with an idea and a plan. The more precisely a photographer knows what it is he wishes to do, the better the chances are that he will do it.
Andreas Feininger
Image
Unless a subject interests me, I'll pass it over and save my film for better things.
Andreas Feininger
Image
The photographer has almost as much control over his subject matter as a painter. He can control light and shade, form and space, pattern and texture, motion and mood, everything except composition.
Andreas Feininger
Image
Experience has shown that the more fascinating the subject, the less observant the photographer.
Andreas Feininger
Image
Light is the photographic medium par excellence it is to the photographer what words are to the writer color and paint to the painter wood, metal, stone, or clay to the sculptor.
Andreas Feininger
Image
A technically perfect photograph can be the world's most boring picture.
Andreas Feininger
Image
Two factors thus emerge as requisites of success in the field of creative photography. First, the subject must be photogenic. Second, its re-creation in a photograph must be based upon technical knowledge, guided and supported by artsitic inspiration.
Andreas Feininger
Image
A photographer who does not know how to translate his feelings and ideas into a graphically satisfactory form is bound to produce ineffective photographs, no matter how idealistic, compassionate, sensitive or imaginative he may be. For in order to be considered good, a photograph must not only say something worthwhile, it must say it well.
Andreas Feininger
Image
What matters is not what you photograph, but why and how you photograph it. Even the most controversial subject, if depicted by a sensitive photographer with honesty, sympathy, and understanding, can be transformed into an emotionally rewarding experience.
Andreas Feininger
Image
Realism and superrealism are what I'm after. This world is full of things the eye doesn't see. The camera can see more, and often 10 times better.
Andreas Feininger
Image
Before you shoot an irresistible subject, mute all your senses except sight to find out how much is left for the camera to record.
Andreas Feininger
Image
Know - how is worthless unless guided by know - why and know - when.
Andreas Feininger
Image
No one can do inspired work without genuine interest in his subject and understanding of its characteristics.
Andreas Feininger