--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Why should not the camera artist break…" description: "\"Why should not the camera artist break away from the worn out conventions and claim the freedom of expression which any art must have to be alive.\" — A..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c4/alvin-langdon-coburn-46666_alive_why-should-not-the-camera-artist-break-a_1221213.png" --- # Why should not the camera artist break away from the worn… ![“Why should not the camera artist break away from the worn out conventions and claim the freedom of expression which any art must have to be alive.” quote by Alvin Langdon Coburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c4/alvin-langdon-coburn-46666_alive_why-should-not-the-camera-artist-break-a_1221213.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c4/alvin-langdon-coburn-46666_alive_why-should-not-the-camera-artist-break-a_1221213.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c4/alvin-langdon-coburn-46666_alive_why-should-not-the-camera-artist-break-a_1221213.png) > “Why should not the camera artist break away from the worn out conventions and claim the freedom of expression which any art must have to be alive.” [Alvin Langdon Coburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvin-langdon-coburn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Artists should reject stale norms to preserve expressive vitality in their work. **In simple terms:** Break conventions for artistic freedom. Key Takeaway Challenge outdated artistic rules. Themes art creativity freedom Mood inspirational provocative Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - gallery curating - art education - creative workshops Key Concepts innovation tradition expression Questions to Reflect On - Which conventions limit your expression? - How can you balance tradition and innovation? A Different Perspective Breaking norms may alienate audiences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Cameras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cameras/) [Expression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expression/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Freedom of expression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom-of-expression/) ## Related quotes > [The camera for an artist is just another tool. It is no more mechanical than a violin if you analyze it. Beyond the rudiments,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-weston/the-camera-for-an-artist-is-just-another-tool-it-is-no-more/) [Brett Weston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-weston/) > [Without a doubt, because now in the music business talent and hard work isn't enough. There is just a lot of luck and marketing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-c-miller/without-a-doubt-because-now-in-the-music-business-talent-and-hard/) [Jason C. Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-c-miller/) > [I think that the essence of being an artist is to break rules. You have to learn rules, and you have to break them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-johannsson/i-think-that-the-essence-of-being-an-artist-is-to-break-rules-you/) [Johann Johannsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-johannsson/) > [Every religion has its dignity ... in freedom of expression there are limits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/every-religion-has-its-dignity-in-freedom-of-expression-there-are/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [I believe in the freedom of expression, unequivocally - though, as I have written before, I wish more people would understand that freedom of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roxane-gay/i-believe-in-the-freedom-of-expression-unequivocally-though-as-i-have/) [Roxane Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roxane-gay/) > [People who think of children's nudity as a tool don't need freedom of expression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-chan/people-who-think-of-children-s-nudity-as-a-tool-don-t-need-freedom-of/) Agnes Chan > [Akbar Ganji is a human rights activist in Iran and he works on freedom of expression and he does his job very well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirin-ebadi/akbar-ganji-is-a-human-rights-activist-in-iran-and-he-works-on/) [Shirin Ebadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirin-ebadi/) > [“There were counter-protests, of course, and in the end Mapplethorpe’s work was exhibited, but the message to the arts community was clear: stray too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bayles/there-were-counter-protests-of-course-and-in-the-end-mapplethorpe-s/) [David Bayles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bayles/) > [All over the world, there is someone sitting in a cell because he or she is not allowed freedom of expression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kani/all-over-the-world-there-is-someone-sitting-in-a-cell-because-he-or/) [John Kani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kani/) > [We thought the church had withdrawn from interfering in Italian politics... but instead there is a terrible resurgence. 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Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-o-douglas/) > [We live in a democratic country, and I take great pride in saying that I'm from India, a country where democracy is worshipped and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manoj-bajpayee/we-live-in-a-democratic-country-and-i-take-great-pride-in-saying-that/) [Manoj Bajpayee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manoj-bajpayee/) > [“Mubarak said: I talk to you during critical times that are testing Egypt and its people which could sweep them into the unknown ……](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amiso-m-george/mubarak-said-i-talk-to-you-during-critical-times-that-are-testing/) Amiso M. George > [Well, one thing, you got to stand in a courtroom and listen to a judge sentencing you to 25 years in prison before you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-flynt/well-one-thing-you-got-to-stand-in-a-courtroom-and-listen-to-a-judge/) [Larry Flynt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-flynt/) > [It's one of the things I really admire about Sly - we were all allowed to use our creativity, to have freedom of expression…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-graham/it-s-one-of-the-things-i-really-admire-about-sly-we-were-all-allowed/) [Larry Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-graham/) ## More by Alvin Langdon Coburn > [My aim in photography is always to convey a mood and not to impart local information. This is not an easy matter, for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvin-langdon-coburn/my-aim-in-photography-is-always-to-convey-a-mood-and-not-to-impart/) [Alvin Langdon Coburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvin-langdon-coburn/) > [An artist is a man who tries to express the inexpressible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvin-langdon-coburn/an-artist-is-a-man-who-tries-to-express-the-inexpressible/) [Alvin Langdon Coburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvin-langdon-coburn/) > [A photographic portrait needs more collaboration between sitter and artist than a painted portrait.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvin-langdon-coburn/a-photographic-portrait-needs-more-collaboration-between-sitter-and/) [Alvin Langdon Coburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvin-langdon-coburn/) > [I wish to state emphatically that I do not believe in any sort of handwork or manipulation on a photographic negative or print.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvin-langdon-coburn/i-wish-to-state-emphatically-that-i-do-not-believe-in-any-sort-of/) [Alvin Langdon Coburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvin-langdon-coburn/) > [I affirm that any sort of photograph is superior to any sort of painting aiming at the same result.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvin-langdon-coburn/i-affirm-that-any-sort-of-photograph-is-superior-to-any-sort-of/) [Alvin Langdon Coburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvin-langdon-coburn/) > [Photography makes one conscious of beauty everywhere, even in the simplest things, even in what is often considered commonplace or ugly. Yet nothing is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvin-langdon-coburn/photography-makes-one-conscious-of-beauty-everywhere-even-in-the/) [Alvin Langdon Coburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvin-langdon-coburn/) > [It is my hope that photography may fall in line with all the other arts and with her infinite possibilities, do things strange and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvin-langdon-coburn/it-is-my-hope-that-photography-may-fall-in-line-with-all-the-other/) [Alvin Langdon Coburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvin-langdon-coburn/) [Explore all 8 Alvin Langdon Coburn quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvin-langdon-coburn/) ## More Alive quotes > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I feel very grateful to be alive and well enough to make music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-ant/i-feel-very-grateful-to-be-alive-and-well-enough-to-make-music/) Adam Ant > [I don't crave applause. I'm not one of those guys who comes alive on stage. I'm much more alive at home, I think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bowie/i-don-t-crave-applause-i-m-not-one-of-those-guys-who-comes-alive-on/) [David Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bowie/) > [We must master our egoism, and through this mastery, step outside ourselves and educate ourselves in giving. 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We promise gingerbread, then eat the little brats alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/we-re-like-the-wicked-witch-we-promise-gingerbread-then-eat-the/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [If Jovan Belcher didn't possess a gun, he and Kasandra Perkins would both be alive today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-costas/if-jovan-belcher-didn-t-possess-a-gun-he-and-kasandra-perkins-would/) [Bob Costas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-costas/) > [Peace is an ongoing process. It begins with the first step and it does not end. 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Lutzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erwin-w-lutzer/) > [If you’re alive, don’t move, if you’re dead, don’t worry about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/if-you-re-alive-don-t-move-if-you-re-dead-don-t-worry-about-it/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [Here Greek and Roman find themselves alive along these crowded shelves; and Shakespeare treads again his stage, and Chaucer paints anew his age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/here-greek-and-roman-find-themselves-alive-along-these-crowded/) [John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) > [You're alive!" Fezzik cried. The man in black sat immobile, like a ventriloquist's dummy, just his mouth moving. "That is perhaps the most childishly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-goldman/you-re-alive-fezzik-cried-the-man-in-black-sat-immobile-like-a/) [William Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-goldman/) [Browse all 7,282 Alive quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Why should not the camera artist break away from the worn out conventions and claim the freedom of expression which any art must have to be alive.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Alvin Langdon Coburn" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvin-langdon-coburn/why-should-not-the-camera-artist-break-away-from-the-worn-out/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Alive" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvin-langdon-coburn/why-should-not-the-camera-artist-break-away-from-the-worn-out/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c4/alvin-langdon-coburn-46666_alive_why-should-not-the-camera-artist-break-a_1221213.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c4/alvin-langdon-coburn-46666_alive_why-should-not-the-camera-artist-break-a_1221213.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c4/alvin-langdon-coburn-46666_alive_why-should-not-the-camera-artist-break-a_1221213.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Why should not the camera artist break away from the worn out conventions and claim the freedom of…” — Alvin Langdon Coburn", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Alvin Langdon Coburn", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvin-langdon-coburn/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Why should not the camera artist...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvin-langdon-coburn/why-should-not-the-camera-artist-break-away-from-the-worn-out/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvin-langdon-coburn/why-should-not-the-camera-artist-break-away-from-the-worn-out/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```