Accumulation Quote by Arnold Newman
“Influences come from everywhere but when you are actually shooting you work primarily by instinct. But what is instinct? It is a lifetime accumulation of influence: experience, knowledge, seeing and hearing. There is little time for reflection in taking a photograph. All your experiences come to a peak and you work on two levels: conscious and unconscious.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Photographic Eye by Arnold Newman, 1973
Instinct in photography is the subconscious synthesis of a lifetime of visual and experiential learning, guiding split‑second decisions.
In simple terms: Instinct = learned, rapid decision‑making.
Key Takeaway
Trust your practiced intuition when shooting.
Themes
creativity
instinct
photography
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
practical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- street photography
- portrait sessions
- news coverage
Key Concepts
cognitive science
visual perception
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance instinct with planning?
- When does instinct fail?
A Different Perspective
Instinct can overlook deliberate composition choices.
