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Absolutes Quote by Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon

“I think it's all absolute nonsense how people talk about photography as being an art. It's a very menial career that you do if you draw badly. Now they teach it at the Royal College of Art and get grand about it. It's the only course there that I don't understand.” quote by Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon
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“I think it's all absolute nonsense how people talk about photography as being an art. It's a very menial career that you do if you draw badly. Now they teach it at the Royal College of Art and get grand about it. It's the only course there that I don't understand.”

Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon

About This Quote

Source Interview: Public commentary on photography education, 2020

The speaker dismisses photography as a trivial skill, not an art, criticizing its academic recognition.

In simple terms: Photography is not art, just a low‑skill job.

Key Takeaway

Question the value of artistic education.

Themes

art criticism education elitism

Mood

skeptical critical

Type

opinion controversial

When to use this quote

  • university curricula
  • career choices
  • artistic validation

Key Concepts

aesthetic theory cultural hierarchy

Questions to Reflect On

  • What defines an art form?
  • How should institutions value creative disciplines?
A Different Perspective

Artistic merit can be subjective and culturally defined.

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