--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I started photographing people on the…" description: "\"I started photographing people on the street during World War II. I used a little box Brownie. Nothing too expensive.\" — Bill Cunningham" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8bc/bill-cunningham-22079_box_i-started-photographing-people-on-the-st_1679840.jpg" --- # I started photographing people on the street during World… ![“I started photographing people on the street during World War II. I used a little box Brownie. Nothing too expensive.” quote by Bill Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8bc/bill-cunningham-22079_box_i-started-photographing-people-on-the-st_1679840.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8bc/bill-cunningham-22079_box_i-started-photographing-people-on-the-st_1679840.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8bc/bill-cunningham-22079_box_i-started-photographing-people-on-the-st_1679840.jpg) > “I started photographing people on the street during World War II. I used a little box Brownie. Nothing too expensive.” [Bill Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cunningham/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He began street photography in WWII with a simple, affordable camera, capturing everyday moments. **In simple terms:** He used a cheap camera to photograph people during the war. Key Takeaway Use accessible tools to document history. Themes photography history everyday life Mood reflective nostalgic Type historical documentary When to use this quote - journalism - personal projects - historical archives Key Concepts documentary street photography war era Questions to Reflect On - How does equipment choice affect storytelling? - What stories emerge from ordinary scenes? A Different Perspective Limited equipment may restrict image quality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brownie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brownie/) [Nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nothing/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Photographing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/photographing/) [Photography](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/photography/) [Street](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/street/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [World war](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-war/) [World war ii](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-war-ii/) ## Related quotes > [Oddly, I'd been to most of the locations where I started photographing slavery many times before. I even considered some of them homes-away-from-home. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kristine/oddly-i-d-been-to-most-of-the-locations-where-i-started-photographing/) [Lisa Kristine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kristine/) > [I started photographing amazing African wildlife for my own pleasure. It was like a much-needed antidote to my life in the city, which I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurent-baheux/i-started-photographing-amazing-african-wildlife-for-my-own-pleasure/) [Laurent Baheux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurent-baheux/) > [I really knew when I started photographing I wanted it to be a way of knowing different cultures, not just in other countries but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-ellen-mark/i-really-knew-when-i-started-photographing-i-wanted-it-to-be-a-way-of/) [Mary Ellen Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-ellen-mark/) > [When I started photographing my boyfriend of years ago, Brian, I realised I had no right to photograph other people having sex if I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nan-goldin/when-i-started-photographing-my-boyfriend-of-years-ago-brian-i/) [Nan Goldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nan-goldin/) > [My way in for photographing people is really their work. I'm always interested in what people make, and then I photograph the person. Sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-corbijn/my-way-in-for-photographing-people-is-really-their-work-i-m-always/) [Anton Corbijn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-corbijn/) > [I love photographing people in New York; it has such a great cross-section of people from all over the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-mccartney/i-love-photographing-people-in-new-york-it-has-such-a-great-cross/) [Mary McCartney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-mccartney/) > [I've never been comfortable photographing people I know, myself included. I guess I prefer the mystery of strangers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alec-soth/i-ve-never-been-comfortable-photographing-people-i-know-myself/) [Alec Soth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alec-soth/) > [Sometimes photographing people is like pulling teeth, trying to get some sort of personality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-taylor-johnson/sometimes-photographing-people-is-like-pulling-teeth-trying-to-get/) [Sam Taylor-Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-taylor-johnson/) > [There's always been something illicit about the way I work. I'm photographing people I don't know, when nobody else is home - there's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katy-grannan/there-s-always-been-something-illicit-about-the-way-i-work-i-m/) Katy Grannan > [I'm more interested in photographing people who have done something, like writers or directors - even billionaires - as long as I can study…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francesco-carrozzini/i-m-more-interested-in-photographing-people-who-have-done-something/) Francesco Carrozzini > [I like photographing the people I love, the people I admire, the famous, and especially the infamous. My last infamous subject was the extreme…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helmut-newton/i-like-photographing-the-people-i-love-the-people-i-admire-the-famous/) [Helmut Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helmut-newton/) > [I hate having my photograph taken and I try to keep that in mind when I'm photographing other people. But the best photos that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devendra-banhart/i-hate-having-my-photograph-taken-and-i-try-to-keep-that-in-mind-when/) [Devendra Banhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devendra-banhart/) > [I'm not interested into victim photography. Photographing people suffering and putting it on a museum wall is too weird.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-misrach/i-m-not-interested-into-victim-photography-photographing-people/) [Richard Misrach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-misrach/) > [I'm very little drawn to photographing people that are known or even subjects that are known. They fascinate me when I've barely heard of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-arbus/i-m-very-little-drawn-to-photographing-people-that-are-known-or-even/) [Diane Arbus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-arbus/) > [Ultimately success or failure in photographing people depends on the photographer's ability to understand his fellow man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-weston/ultimately-success-or-failure-in-photographing-people-depends-on-the/) [Edward Weston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-weston/) ## More by Bill Cunningham > [I'm a zero.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-cunningham/i-m-a-zero/) [Bill Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cunningham/) > [The best fashion show is definitely on the street. Always has been, and always will be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-cunningham/the-best-fashion-show-is-definitely-on-the-street-always-has-been-and/) [Bill Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cunningham/) > [I could never concentrate on Sunday church services because I'd be concentrating on women's hats.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-cunningham/i-could-never-concentrate-on-sunday-church-services-because-i-d-be/) [Bill Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cunningham/) > [The main thing I love about street photography is that you find the answers you don't see at the fashion shows. You find information…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-cunningham/the-main-thing-i-love-about-street-photography-is-that-you-find-the/) [Bill Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cunningham/) > [I took to New York life like a star shooting through the heavens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-cunningham/i-took-to-new-york-life-like-a-star-shooting-through-the-heavens/) [Bill Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cunningham/) > [When I'm photographing, I look for the personal style with which something is worn - sometimes even how an umbrella is carried or how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-cunningham/when-i-m-photographing-i-look-for-the-personal-style-with-which/) [Bill Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cunningham/) > [I made hats until I went into the Army. I was drafted during the Korean War.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-cunningham/i-made-hats-until-i-went-into-the-army-i-was-drafted-during-the/) [Bill Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cunningham/) > [“Fashion is the armor to survive everyday life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-cunningham/fashion-is-the-armor-to-survive-everyday-life/) [Bill Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cunningham/) > [Legacy? I'm a worker in the factory; all we care about is today! A legacy... what a bunch of baloney.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-cunningham/legacy-i-m-a-worker-in-the-factory-all-we-care-about-is-today-a/) [Bill Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cunningham/) > [I just loved to see wonderfully dressed women, and I still do. That's all there is to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-cunningham/i-just-loved-to-see-wonderfully-dressed-women-and-i-still-do-that-s/) [Bill Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cunningham/) > [I let the streets talk to me. The streets speak to you - how you find out what's new, what people are wearing, what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-cunningham/i-let-the-streets-talk-to-me-the-streets-speak-to-you-how-you-find/) [Bill Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cunningham/) > [Money's the cheapest thing. Liberty and freedom is the most expensive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-cunningham/money-s-the-cheapest-thing-liberty-and-freedom-is-the-most-expensive/) [Bill Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cunningham/) > [There's nothing free. Stay independent and don't fall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-cunningham/there-s-nothing-free-stay-independent-and-don-t-fall/) [Bill Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cunningham/) > [If someone is wearing something terrific, that's what I want to photograph.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-cunningham/if-someone-is-wearing-something-terrific-that-s-what-i-want-to/) [Bill Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cunningham/) > [I'm really not good with money, and I don't pay attention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-cunningham/i-m-really-not-good-with-money-and-i-don-t-pay-attention/) [Bill Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cunningham/) [Explore all 28 Bill Cunningham quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cunningham/) ## More Box quotes > [I don't think that 'Just Mohabbat' or 'Tarzan' were a hindrance. 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It's very easy to just want to put something in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-koons/a-lot-of-times-my-work-is-looked-at-very-much-on-the-surface-it-s/) [Jeff Koons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-koons/) > [It's not that I don't want to do different films. The non-mainstream stuff that I did started to get successful... But for an industry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhay-deol/it-s-not-that-i-don-t-want-to-do-different-films-the-non-mainstream/) [Abhay Deol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhay-deol/) > [I want people to get from 'Pariah' that it's okay to be you and not to check a box as a parent or child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-rees/i-want-people-to-get-from-pariah-that-it-s-okay-to-be-you-and-not-to/) [Dee Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-rees/) > [I'm a storyteller - that's my chamber, that's my box. I'm always tryin' to give you the best story from our side of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raekwon/i-m-a-storyteller-that-s-my-chamber-that-s-my-box-i-m-always-tryin-to/) [Raekwon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raekwon/) > [I love finding out why people don't love things. And if you ask people why they don't like things, particularly when they get into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stew/i-love-finding-out-why-people-don-t-love-things-and-if-you-ask-people/) Stew > [The low point for neon came in 1982, when Holiday Inn did away with its signature 'Great Sign,' replacing the neon extravaganza with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-postrel/the-low-point-for-neon-came-in-1982-when-holiday-inn-did-away-with/) [Virginia Postrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-postrel/) > [I've always said the bass just happens to be the crayon I picked out of the box. I'd still be drawing the same pictures...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/les-claypool/i-ve-always-said-the-bass-just-happens-to-be-the-crayon-i-picked-out/) [Les Claypool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-claypool/) > [When you got competition, it makes people think outside the box.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-steiner/when-you-got-competition-it-makes-people-think-outside-the-box/) [Scott Steiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-steiner/) > [I want to live outside of the box, and I definitely don't want to put God in a box, so I want to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-benson/i-want-to-live-outside-of-the-box-and-i-definitely-don-t-want-to-put/) [Jodi Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-benson/) > [I'm such a sucker for the Tiffany blue box.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-fallon/i-m-such-a-sucker-for-the-tiffany-blue-box/) [Jane Fallon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-fallon/) > [When I was young I didn't care about education, just money and box office.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-chan/when-i-was-young-i-didn-t-care-about-education-just-money-and-box/) [Jackie Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-chan/) > [The box office in an arthouse film is always going to be small. We have to face this and overcome this.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiran-rao/the-box-office-in-an-arthouse-film-is-always-going-to-be-small-we/) [Kiran Rao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiran-rao/) Browse all 658 Box quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I started photographing people on the street during World War II. I used a little box Brownie. 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