--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The photographer has almost as much…" description: "\"The photographer has almost as much control over his subject matter as a painter. He can control light and shade, form and space, pattern and texture, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/499/andreas-feininger-22291_composition_the-photographer-has-almost-as-much-cont_2366346.png" --- # The photographer has almost as much control over his… ![“The photographer has almost as much control over his subject matter as a painter. He can control light and shade, form and space, pattern and texture, motion and mood, everything except composition.” quote by Andreas Feininger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/499/andreas-feininger-22291_composition_the-photographer-has-almost-as-much-cont_2366346.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/499/andreas-feininger-22291_composition_the-photographer-has-almost-as-much-cont_2366346.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/499/andreas-feininger-22291_composition_the-photographer-has-almost-as-much-cont_2366346.png) > “The photographer has almost as much control over his subject matter as a painter. He can control light and shade, form and space, pattern and texture, motion and mood, everything except composition.” [Andreas Feininger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andreas-feininger/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Photographers shape perception through technical choices, but composition remains a collaborative element. **In simple terms:** Photographers control many visual aspects, yet composition is shared. Key Takeaway Master technical tools while collaborating on composition. Themes photography art visual perception collaboration Mood creative observational Type educational inspirational When to use this quote - portrait shoots - landscape work - studio lighting - creative workshops Key Concepts light manipulation texture space motion mood Questions to Reflect On - How can you guide subjects to enhance composition? - What technical choices most affect mood? A Different Perspective Composition may be limited by subject constraints. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light/) [Mood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mood/) [Painter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painter/) [Painting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painting/) [Patterns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patterns/) [Photographer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/photographer/) [Photography](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/photography/) [Shade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shade/) [Space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/space/) ## Related quotes > [Art doesn't alter things. It points things out, but it doesn't alter them. It can't, no matter what a painter wants to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-boyd/art-doesn-t-alter-things-it-points-things-out-but-it-doesn-t-alter/) [Arthur Boyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-boyd/) > [Dramatic use of color, harmonious design, the interplay of light and shadow across a variety of textures, the portrayal of the figure and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-shanks/dramatic-use-of-color-harmonious-design-the-interplay-of-light-and/) [Nelson Shanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-shanks/) > [The first picture of his I ever saw was during a lecture at the Rhyl camera club. 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I get a lot of inspiration from art, from the lighting in art, from the compositions in art, from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-schepisi/i-m-married-to-an-artist-i-get-a-lot-of-inspiration-from-art-from-the/) [Fred Schepisi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-schepisi/) > [Weston's sensual texture or Cartier-Bresson's implacable composition are apt to close over themselves, attaining the perfection of a certain sensual and harmonious bliss. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmundo-desnoes/weston-s-sensual-texture-or-cartier-bresson-s-implacable-composition/) [Edmundo Desnoes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmundo-desnoes/) > [When subject matter is forced to fit into preconceived patterns, there can be no freshness of vision. Following rules of composition can only lead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-weston/when-subject-matter-is-forced-to-fit-into-preconceived-patterns-there/) [Edward Weston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-weston/) > [Sometimes the things I learn making paintings or drawings - composition, colour, expressionism, texture - can directly influence the making of a film. Sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-mckean/sometimes-the-things-i-learn-making-paintings-or-drawings-composition/) [Dave McKean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-mckean/) > [Lighting is vital. Without that they've got nothing. And, of course, color and texture. 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It is not necessary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-schaeffer/it-is-not-necessary-to-have-an-extravagant-food-budget-in-order-to/) [Edith Schaeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-schaeffer/) > [Photography is space, light, texture, of course, but the really important element is time - that nanosecond when the image organizes itself on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-stoller/photography-is-space-light-texture-of-course-but-the-really-important/) Ezra Stoller > [A little bit more than 50% of what you see on screen is handcrafted and the other 50% was about emulating these textures on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-abreu/a-little-bit-more-than-50-of-what-you-see-on-screen-is-handcrafted/) [Alex Abreu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-abreu/) > [I am moved more by melodies, song structure, and evocative textures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geddy-lee/i-am-moved-more-by-melodies-song-structure-and-evocative-textures/) [Geddy Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geddy-lee/) > [A well-fashioned day - with a beginning and an end, a purpose and a content, a color and a character, a feel and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/a-well-fashioned-day-with-a-beginning-and-an-end-a-purpose-and-a/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) ## More by Andreas Feininger > [Know - how is worthless unless guided by know - why and know - when.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andreas-feininger/know-how-is-worthless-unless-guided-by-know-why-and-know-when/) [Andreas Feininger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andreas-feininger/) > [Realism and superrealism are what I'm after. This world is full of things the eye doesn't see. The camera can see more, and often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andreas-feininger/realism-and-superrealism-are-what-i-m-after-this-world-is-full-of/) [Andreas Feininger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andreas-feininger/) > [As an amateur you have an advantage over photographers - you can do as you wish... This should make amateurs the happiest of photographers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andreas-feininger/as-an-amateur-you-have-an-advantage-over-photographers-you-can-do-as/) [Andreas Feininger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andreas-feininger/) > [... pay attention to everything within the field of view.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andreas-feininger/pay-attention-to-everything-within-the-field-of-view/) [Andreas Feininger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andreas-feininger/) > [The camera can push the new medium to its limits - and beyond. It is there - in the "beyond" - that the imaginative…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andreas-feininger/the-camera-can-push-the-new-medium-to-its-limits-and-beyond-it-is/) [Andreas Feininger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andreas-feininger/) > [Experience has shown that the more fascinating the subject, the less observant the photographer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andreas-feininger/experience-has-shown-that-the-more-fascinating-the-subject-the-less/) [Andreas Feininger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andreas-feininger/) > [The first impression of a new subject is not necessary the best. Seen from a different angle or under different condition it might look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andreas-feininger/the-first-impression-of-a-new-subject-is-not-necessary-the-best-seen/) [Andreas Feininger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andreas-feininger/) > [With a short lens I can reveal the hidden things near at hand, with a long lens the hidden things far away. The telephoto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andreas-feininger/with-a-short-lens-i-can-reveal-the-hidden-things-near-at-hand-with-a/) [Andreas Feininger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andreas-feininger/) > [Any good photograph is a successful synthesis of technique and art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andreas-feininger/any-good-photograph-is-a-successful-synthesis-of-technique-and-art/) [Andreas Feininger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andreas-feininger/) > [Human vision is untrustworthy, subjective and selective. Camera vision is total and non - objective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andreas-feininger/human-vision-is-untrustworthy-subjective-and-selective-camera-vision/) [Andreas Feininger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andreas-feininger/) > [Light is the photographic medium par excellence; it is to the photographer what words are to the writer; color and paint to the painter;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andreas-feininger/light-is-the-photographic-medium-par-excellence-it-is-to-the/) [Andreas Feininger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andreas-feininger/) > [Photographers - idiots, of which there are so many - say, "Oh, if only I had a Nikon or a Leica, I could make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andreas-feininger/photographers-idiots-of-which-there-are-so-many-say-oh-if-only-i-had/) [Andreas Feininger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andreas-feininger/) > [Before you shoot an irresistible subject, mute all your senses except sight to find out how much is left for the camera to record.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andreas-feininger/before-you-shoot-an-irresistible-subject-mute-all-your-senses-except/) [Andreas Feininger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andreas-feininger/) > [And yet, in a superficial sense, it is true that the camera does not "lie": given a chance, it will faithfully render everything within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andreas-feininger/and-yet-in-a-superficial-sense-it-is-true-that-the-camera-does-not/) [Andreas Feininger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andreas-feininger/) > [Unless a subject interests me, I'll pass it over and save my film for better things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andreas-feininger/unless-a-subject-interests-me-i-ll-pass-it-over-and-save-my-film-for/) [Andreas Feininger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andreas-feininger/) [Explore all 27 Andreas Feininger quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andreas-feininger/) ## More Composition quotes > [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/) Ted Martinez > [“The composition of Shakespeare is a forest, in which oaks extend in the air, interspersed sometimes with weeds and brambles, and sometimes giving shelting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-composition-of-shakespeare-is-a-forest-in-which-oaks-extend-in/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [At the risk of some oversimplification, if the skill composition of our work force meshed fully with the needs of our increasingly complex capital-stock,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-greenspan/at-the-risk-of-some-oversimplification-if-the-skill-composition-of/) [Alan Greenspan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-greenspan/) > [Writers and musicians know well the importance of extensive reading for successful writing or extensive listening for musical composition. Likewise, visual artists... understand that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-laseau/writers-and-musicians-know-well-the-importance-of-extensive-reading/) [Paul Laseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-laseau/) > [A composition is always more than the sum of its parts. In other words, a really good piece of music is more than itself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yo-yo-ma/a-composition-is-always-more-than-the-sum-of-its-parts-in-other-words/) [Yo-Yo Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yo-yo-ma/) > [When I start writing a new imaginary future, I have no idea what it is. The characters arrive first. They help me figure out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gibson/when-i-start-writing-a-new-imaginary-future-i-have-no-idea-what-it-is/) [William Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gibson/) > [Though I cannot claim to be a Christian in the sectarian sense, the example of Jesus suffering is a factor in the composition of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/though-i-cannot-claim-to-be-a-christian-in-the-sectarian-sense-the/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [I always look at money not as a motivating factor but as an element in the composition. You can't ignore it, but you've got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damien-hirst/i-always-look-at-money-not-as-a-motivating-factor-but-as-an-element/) [Damien Hirst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damien-hirst/) > [The unary Photograph has every reason to be banal, 'unity' of composition being the first rule of vulgar (and notably, of academic) rhetoric: 'The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-barthes/the-unary-photograph-has-every-reason-to-be-banal-unity-of/) [Roland Barthes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-barthes/) > [Musical compositions, it should be remembered, do not inhabit certain countries, certain museums, like paintings and statues. The Mozart Quintet is not shut up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-rabaud/musical-compositions-it-should-be-remembered-do-not-inhabit-certain/) Henri Rabaud > [Science does not enter a chaotic society to put order into it anymore, to simplify its composition, and to put an end to controversies.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-latour/science-does-not-enter-a-chaotic-society-to-put-order-into-it-anymore/) [Bruno Latour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-latour/) > [If measure and symmetry are absent from any composition in any degree, ruin awaits both the ingredients and the composition... Measure and symmetry are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/if-measure-and-symmetry-are-absent-from-any-composition-in-any-degree/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [If you really want to be a good archaeologist, you have to understand ancient DNA; you have to understand chemical analysis to figure out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-parcak/if-you-really-want-to-be-a-good-archaeologist-you-have-to-understand/) [Sarah Parcak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-parcak/) > [Oil companies are radical because they're willing to alter the chemical composition of the atmosphere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-mckibben/oil-companies-are-radical-because-they-re-willing-to-alter-the/) [Bill McKibben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-mckibben/) > [Composition is definitely what I'm born to do, and it came last.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-friedman/composition-is-definitely-what-i-m-born-to-do-and-it-came-last/) [David Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-friedman/) Browse all 766 Composition quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The photographer has almost as much control over his subject matter as a painter. 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