Photography is much more about elimination than inclusion…
“Photography is much more about elimination than inclusion. The images we make with a lens typically eliminate ninety percent of our field of view and everything that is out of our field of view. The shutter slices time, eliminating all moments before and after it opens and closes. Three dimensions are reduced to two. And in some cases color is removed. How can we call these kinds of artifacts unaltered?”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Photography emphasizes what is left out as much as what is captured, shaping perception by removing details, time, and dimensions.
In simple terms: Photography is about what you choose not to show.
Key Takeaway
Focus on intentional omission.
Themes
creativity
perception
composition
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- portrait shoots
- landscape work
- documentary projects
- educational workshops
Key Concepts
visual reduction
selective framing
temporal compression
Questions to Reflect On
- What do you decide to exclude and why?
- How does omission affect viewer interpretation?
A Different Perspective
Exclusion can oversimplify reality, missing nuance.