I started teaching in '76 and I'd been a photographer at the Geographic for six years. But prior to being at the… — Sam Abell Copy Share Image
For sheer majestic geography and sublime scale, nothing beats Alaska and the Yukon. For culture, Japan. And for all-around affection, Australia. — Sam Abell Copy Share Image
When I first went to 'National Geographic,' I thought I was the least qualified person to step through the doors. But because… — Sam Abell Copy Share Image
I'm interested in smokers standing on ledges, and big box stores, the rise of the suburbs, and the hollowing out of small… — Sam Abell Copy Share Image
[ My time and our common culture] it's what I'm photographing, and I'm very involved with that. — Sam Abell Copy Share Image
There are grander and more sublime landscapes - to me. There are more compelling cultures. But what appeals to me about central… — Sam Abell Copy Share Image
Photography, alone of the arts, seems perfected to serve the desire humans have for a moment - this very moment - to stay. — Sam Abell Copy Share Image
I did it once, and National Geographic recruited me. I did it primarily out of curiosity. A lot of legendary photographers had worked on… — Sam Abell Copy Share Image
I can't speak for other photographers, but the photographers who went forward strongly when the so-called "official" part of their career ended, to me,… — Sam Abell Copy Share Image
Actually, ambition won't get you that far. You'll shift gears. You'll see something that's shinier. But if you believe... then you're the long-distance runner. — Sam Abell Copy Share Image
A mad, keen photographer needs to get out into the world and work and make mistakes. — Sam Abell Copy Share Image
I have this awareness that the more dynamic the situation is, the more on guard I need to be that the dynamic isn't controlling… — Sam Abell Copy Share Image
What I'm interested in is modern American history. I'm taken with the changes that have occurred in America in my lifetime. — Sam Abell Copy Share Image
Life rarely presents fully finished photographs. An image evolves, often from a single strand of visual interest - a distant horizon, a moment of… — Sam Abell Copy Share Image
Photographs that transcend but do not deny their literal situation appeal to me. — Sam Abell Copy Share Image
I wanted life to be episodic. I wanted to be a magazine photographer and I was willing to do what it took to become… — Sam Abell Copy Share Image
That statement [ Stephen Ambrose:'You, Sam, have the hardest job, which is, pretend like nothing has happened in the last 200 years.'] woke me… — Sam Abell Copy Share Image
![“[ My time and our common culture] it's what I'm photographing, and I'm very involved with that.” quote by Sam Abell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b58/sam-abell-7768_common_my-time-and-our-common-culture-it-s-what_1436602.jpg)
![“That statement [ Stephen Ambrose:'You, Sam, have the hardest job, which is, pretend like nothing has happened in the last 200 years.'] woke me up to the fact that the landscape that Lewis and Clark came across was greater than the Serengeti. And it's gone.” quote by Sam Abell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b88/sam-abell-7768_facts_that-statement-stephen-ambrose-you-sam-h_236207.jpg)