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I do not like bad photographs. I don't like to be badly…

“I do not like bad photographs. I don't like to be badly lit. There is a fashion, particularly on stage, for very 'toppy' lighting, which makes a child look 50. Ten o'clock is very good. If someone is taking a picture, you say, 'Lamps at 10 o'clock,' then everybody looks lovely.” quote by Joanna Lumley
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“I do not like bad photographs. I don't like to be badly lit. There is a fashion, particularly on stage, for very 'toppy' lighting, which makes a child look 50. Ten o'clock is very good. If someone is taking a picture, you say, 'Lamps at 10 o'clock,' then everybody looks lovely.”

Joanna Lumley

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Lighting at a ten‑o’clock angle flatters subjects, avoiding harsh shadows and age‑revealing effects.

In simple terms: 10 o’clock lighting makes people look better.

Key Takeaway

Use flattering lighting angles in photography.

Themes

photography lighting aesthetics

Mood

informative practical

Type

technical advisory

When to use this quote

  • portrait shoots
  • stage performances
  • fashion shows

Key Concepts

visual arts technique stagecraft

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does lighting affect perception of age?
  • What other lighting techniques can enhance a portrait?
A Different Perspective

Lighting conditions may not suit all subjects or moods.

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