Photography Quote by Andre Kertesz
“Everything is a subject. Every subject has a rhythm. To feel it is the raison d'�tre. The photograph is a fixed moment of such a raison d'�tre, which lives on in itself.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: On Photography, 1955
The quote suggests that each subject possesses an inherent rhythm, and capturing it in a photograph preserves that essential purpose.
In simple terms: Subjects have a rhythm; photos freeze that purpose.
Observe and capture the underlying rhythm.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- portrait sessions
- street photography
- documentary work
- gallery curation
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you sense a subject’s rhythm before shooting?
- What does “raison d’être” mean in visual art?
A photograph cannot convey the full dynamic rhythm of a living subject.