One advances by standing on the shoulders of giants, but the ultimate goal is to find one's own vision. — Michael Kenna Copy Share Image
The golden rule in the arts, as far as I am concerned, is that all rules are meant to be broken. — Michael Kenna Copy Share Image
I gravitate towards places where humans have been and are no more, to the edge of man's influence, where the elements are taking over… — Michael Kenna Copy Share Image
Getting photographs is not the most important thing. For me it's the act of photographing. It's enlightening, therapeutic and satisfying, because the very process forces me to connect with the world. When you make four-hour exposures in the middle of the night, you inevitably slow down and begin to observe and appreciate more what's going on around you. In our… — Michael Kenna Copy Share
In my photographic work I'm generally attracted to places that contain memories, history, atmospheres and stories. I'm interested in the places where people have lived, worked and played. I look for traces of the past, visual fingerprints, evidence of activities - they fire my imagination and connect into my own personal experiences. Using the analogy of the theater, I would… — Michael Kenna Copy Share
The photographer Ruth Bernhard used to tell me that this is like asking somebody how they evolved their signature. It is not something I've ever worked on consciously. I think style is just the end result of personal experience. It would be problematic for me to photograph in another style. I'm drawn to places and subject matter that have personal… — Michael Kenna Copy Share
I believe that we photographers don't benefit very much with answers from other photographers. What is more beneficial is to ask questions of ourselves… — Michael Kenna Copy Share Image
My advice to any budding artist is never to be satisfied with imitating others. This is but a means to an end. A serious… — Michael Kenna Copy Share Image
I enjoy places that have mystery and atmosphere, perhaps a patina of age, a suggestion rather than a description, a question or two. I… — Michael Kenna Copy Share Image
One needs to fully accept that surprises sometimes happen and complete control over outcome is not necessary or even desirable. — Michael Kenna Copy Share Image
Different assignments, different places, require different approaches. Sometimes I take minutes in a location, at other times days. There are many places that I… — Michael Kenna Copy Share Image
I find that when one has worked long enough, technical know-how becomes almost irrelevant. In photography, it's not difficult to reach a technical level where you don't need to think about the technique any more. I think there is far too much literature and far too much emphasis upon the techniques of photography. The make of camera and type of… — Michael Kenna Copy Share
I believe that every photographer, every artist, should choose materials and equipment based on their own vision. I don't believe that non-digital is necessarily… — Michael Kenna Copy Share Image
