--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The traditional difficulty of balancing…" description: "\"The traditional difficulty of balancing the mechanical with the imaginative schools of photography still operates. In schools of photography meaningful..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/056/aaron-scharf-72168_ability_the-traditional-difficulty-of-balancing_3080178.jpg" --- # The traditional difficulty of balancing the mechanical… ![“The traditional difficulty of balancing the mechanical with the imaginative schools of photography still operates. In schools of photography meaningful art education is often lacking and on the strength of their technical ability alone students, deprived of a richer artistic training, are sent…” quote by Aaron Scharf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/056/aaron-scharf-72168_ability_the-traditional-difficulty-of-balancing_3080178.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/056/aaron-scharf-72168_ability_the-traditional-difficulty-of-balancing_3080178.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/056/aaron-scharf-72168_ability_the-traditional-difficulty-of-balancing_3080178.jpg) > “The traditional difficulty of balancing the mechanical with the imaginative schools of photography still operates. In schools of photography meaningful art education is often lacking and on the strength of their technical ability alone students, deprived of a richer artistic training, are sent forth inculcated with the belief that they are creative photographers and artists. It is yet a fact that today, as in the past, the most inspiring and provocative works in photography come as much (and probably more) from those who are in the first place artists.” [Aaron Scharf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-scharf/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Balancing technical skill with imagination is essential; art education often neglects this, leading students to overestimate their creative abilities. **In simple terms:** Technical skill alone isn’t enough; imagination matters. Key Takeaway Cultivate both technique and artistic vision. Themes education art education creativity balance Mood reflective inspired Type educational philosophical When to use this quote - Photography curricula - student self‑assessment - mentor feedback - exhibition preparation Key Concepts Aesthetic theory pedagogy visual literacy Questions to Reflect On - How can curricula integrate imagination with technique? - What practices nurture true artistic identity? A Different Perspective Technical focus can stifle originality if not paired with artistic exploration. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Art education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art-education/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Artistic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artistic/) [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Creative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creative/) [Creative Photographers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creative-photographers-5250313/) [Creativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creativity/) [Deprived](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deprived/) [Difficulty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difficulty/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [First place](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-place/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Imaginative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imaginative/) [Lacking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lacking/) [Meaningful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meaningful/) [Most inspiring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/most-inspiring/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Photograph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/photograph/) [Photographer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/photographer/) [Photographers Artists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/photographers-artists-1671800/) [Photography](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/photography/) [Photography Meaningful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/photography-meaningful-4408426/) [Provocative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/provocative/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [Schools Photography](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/schools-photography-5250314/) [Stills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stills/) [Students](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/students/) [Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today/) [Traditional](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/traditional/) [Training](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/training/) ## Related quotes > [Perhaps 'photography' has become so all-pervasive that it no longer makes sense to think about it as a discreet practice or field of inquiry.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-paglen/perhaps-photography-has-become-so-all-pervasive-that-it-no-longer/) [Trevor Paglen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-paglen/) > [Photographers, you will never become artists. All you are is mere copiers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-baudelaire/photographers-you-will-never-become-artists-all-you-are-is-mere/) [Charles Baudelaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-baudelaire/) > [There are many aspects about what and why we photograph: visual pleasure, personal empathy, intellectual stimulation, technical excellence, etc. Serious photographers and artists will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-kenna/there-are-many-aspects-about-what-and-why-we-photograph-visual/) [Michael Kenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-kenna/) > [Photographers and artists contribute a lot to the world and have a right to exist in relative security and comfort.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ansel-adams/photographers-and-artists-contribute-a-lot-to-the-world-and-have-a/) [Ansel Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ansel-adams/) > [I didn't see painters doing paintings of glassware and glass shelves or sand dunes and receding snow fences. Why does that interest photographers and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-baldessari/i-didn-t-see-painters-doing-paintings-of-glassware-and-glass-shelves/) [John Baldessari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-baldessari/) > [The most inspiring objects are books. I have about 5,000 volumes in my home library. It's an unending source of visuals and ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maira-kalman/the-most-inspiring-objects-are-books-i-have-about-5-000-volumes-in-my/) [Maira Kalman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maira-kalman/) > [However global I strove to become in my thinking over the past twenty years, my sons kept me rooted to an utterly pedestrian view,intimately…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-blakely/however-global-i-strove-to-become-in-my-thinking-over-the-past-twenty/) [Mary Blakely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-blakely/) > [It's important to keep your creative muscle strong and working. My most inspiring method though is just sitting down with an acoustic guitar and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zella-day/it-s-important-to-keep-your-creative-muscle-strong-and-working-my/) [Zella Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zella-day/) > [The power of music is still with me, every day. It's one of the most inspiring things available in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cameron-crowe/the-power-of-music-is-still-with-me-every-day-it-s-one-of-the-most/) [Cameron Crowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cameron-crowe/) > [I was just sitting on the train, just staring out the window at some cows. It was not the most inspiring subject. When all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-was-just-sitting-on-the-train-just-staring-out-the-window-at-some/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [The purpose of all my photos is to capture the power of nature and convey it in a way that inspires someone to feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-lik/the-purpose-of-all-my-photos-is-to-capture-the-power-of-nature-and/) [Peter Lik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-lik/) > [I think the most inspiring thing that Americans can do for the rest of the world is struggle against the evils in our own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-beinart/i-think-the-most-inspiring-thing-that-americans-can-do-for-the-rest/) [Peter Beinart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-beinart/) > [The Holocaust survivors are among the most inspiring people I have had the privilege to meet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-sacks/the-holocaust-survivors-are-among-the-most-inspiring-people-i-have/) [Jonathan Sacks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-sacks/) > [ He's \[Louis Brandais\] so suspicious of bigness in government as well as business that he mistrusts even really top-down reforms at the state level.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-rosen/he-s-louis-brandais-so-suspicious-of-bigness-in-government-as-well-as/) [Jeffrey Rosen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-rosen/) > [Justice Lewis Powell spoke for all of us when he said: Equal justice under law is perhaps the most inspiring idea of our society.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-kennedy/justice-lewis-powell-spoke-for-all-of-us-when-he-said-equal-justice/) [Edward Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-kennedy/) ## More by Aaron Scharf > [How aware were photographers in the past of other visual arts? "No photographer of any distinction at all could approach his work without some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-scharf/how-aware-were-photographers-in-the-past-of-other-visual-arts-no/) [Aaron Scharf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-scharf/) > [Only recently serious research into the relationship between photography and art has taken place. Why has it been so long in coming ? In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-scharf/only-recently-serious-research-into-the-relationship-between/) [Aaron Scharf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-scharf/) > [Has it led you to the conclusion that photography is an art ? Or it is simply a means of recording ? "I'm glad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-scharf/has-it-led-you-to-the-conclusion-that-photography-is-an-art-or-it-is/) [Aaron Scharf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-scharf/) [Explore all 4 Aaron Scharf quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-scharf/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. 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Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The traditional difficulty of balancing the mechanical with the imaginative schools of photography still operates. 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