Documentaries Quote by Berenice Abbott
“Actually, documentary pictures include every subject in the world - good, bad, indifferent. I have yet to see a fine photograph which is not a good document.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Photography: A Concise History by Ian Jeffrey, 2008
Photographs serve as records that capture all aspects of reality, regardless of quality; a good photo inherently documents its subject.
In simple terms: Photos are records of everything, good or bad.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the documentary value in every image.
Themes
documentation
truth
perception
artistic value
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
observational
critical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- journalism
- archival work
- personal memory
- exhibition planning
Key Concepts
visual anthropology
media theory
historical record
Questions to Reflect On
- How does context affect a photo’s documentary worth?
- Can a technically flawed image still convey truth?
A Different Perspective
A photo may be aesthetically poor yet still be a valuable document.
