Influences come from everywhere but when you are actually…
“Influences come from everywhere but when you are actually shooting you work primarily by instinct. But what is instinct? It is a lifetime accumulation of influence: experience, knowledge, seeing and hearing. There is little time for reflection in taking a photograph. All your experiences come to a peak and you work on two levels: conscious and unconscious.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Instinct in photography is the subconscious synthesis of a lifetime of visual and experiential learning, guiding split‑second decisions.
In simple terms: Instinct = learned, rapid decision‑making.
Key Takeaway
Trust your practiced intuition when shooting.
Themes
creativity
instinct
photography
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
practical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- street photography
- portrait sessions
- news coverage
Key Concepts
cognitive science
visual perception
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance instinct with planning?
- When does instinct fail?
A Different Perspective
Instinct can overlook deliberate composition choices.