--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you can't think of anything else…" description: "\"When you can't think of anything else, photograph graffiti, nudes, or plants.\" — Bill Jay" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e1/bill-jay-14930_graffiti_when-you-can-t-think-of-anything-else-ph_1739827.jpg" --- # When you can't think of anything else, photograph… ![“When you can't think of anything else, photograph graffiti, nudes, or plants.” quote by Bill Jay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e1/bill-jay-14930_graffiti_when-you-can-t-think-of-anything-else-ph_1739827.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e1/bill-jay-14930_graffiti_when-you-can-t-think-of-anything-else-ph_1739827.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e1/bill-jay-14930_graffiti_when-you-can-t-think-of-anything-else-ph_1739827.jpg) > “When you can't think of anything else, photograph graffiti, nudes, or plants.” [Bill Jay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-jay/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When ideas run dry, turn to simple subjects like graffiti, nudes, or plants for creative inspiration. **In simple terms:** Simple subjects spark artistic ideas. Key Takeaway Use everyday subjects to reignite creativity. Themes creativity observation simplicity Mood curious inspired Type inspirational practical When to use this quote - photography assignments - creative blocks - teaching art - personal projects Key Concepts visual storytelling artistic process Questions to Reflect On - What mundane subject could you photograph today? - How does focusing on basics improve your skill? A Different Perspective Relying on clichés may limit originality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Graffiti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/graffiti/) [Photography](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/photography/) [Plant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plant/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [And I told you: I think of a photograph you took of me, up in Montreal. You told me to jump in the air,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/and-i-told-you-i-think-of-a-photograph-you-took-of-me-up-in-montreal/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [I think you can photograph a certain sliver of human presence in its absence... images taken in the empty rooms, the marks left on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mona-kuhn/i-think-you-can-photograph-a-certain-sliver-of-human-presence-in-its/) [Mona Kuhn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mona-kuhn/) > [there is this one photograph... that is just beautiful. it would be impossible to describe how beautiful it is, but i’ll try. if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-chbosky/there-is-this-one-photograph-that-is-just-beautiful-it-would-be/) [Stephen Chbosky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-chbosky/) > [I really like looking at other people's book collections when I'm at someone's house. I think it is an amazing cross section of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elvrum/i-really-like-looking-at-other-people-s-book-collections-when-i-m-at/) [Phil Elvrum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elvrum/) > [I think a photograph, of whatever it might be - a landscape, a person - requires personal involvement. That means knowing your subject, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-lanting/i-think-a-photograph-of-whatever-it-might-be-a-landscape-a-person-2/) [Frans Lanting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-lanting/) > [I think the first photograph I did was a ballplayer. It was a way of showing action or something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-warhol/i-think-the-first-photograph-i-did-was-a-ballplayer-it-was-a-way-of/) [Andy Warhol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-warhol/) > [You think you photograph a particular scene for the pleasure it gives. In fact it's the scene that wants to be photographed. You're merely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-baudrillard/you-think-you-photograph-a-particular-scene-for-the-pleasure-it-gives/) [Jean Baudrillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-baudrillard/) > [I think a photograph, of whatever it might be - a landscape, a person - requires personal involvement. That means knowing your subject, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-lanting/i-think-a-photograph-of-whatever-it-might-be-a-landscape-a-person/) [Frans Lanting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-lanting/) > [A photograph never grows old. You and I change, people change all through the months and years but a photograph always remains the same.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/a-photograph-never-grows-old-you-and-i-change-people-change-all/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The thing itself photographed becomes less interesting when you go back to it years later but I think the photograph becomes more important later…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-a-tice/the-thing-itself-photographed-becomes-less-interesting-when-you-go/) [George A Tice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-a-tice/) > [“I close my eyes and think of the photograph Culler showed me. I see it in my head perfectly. He'll be there, at that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/courtney-summers/i-close-my-eyes-and-think-of-the-photograph-culler-showed-me-i-see-it/) [Courtney Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/courtney-summers/) > [Speaking of nudes, I have always had a great fondness for this subject, both in my paintings and in my photos, and I must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/man-ray/speaking-of-nudes-i-have-always-had-a-great-fondness-for-this-subject/) [Man Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/man-ray/) > [Photography is not cute cats, nor nudes, motherhood or arrangements of manufactured products. Under no circumstances it is anything ever anywhere near a beach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walker-evans/photography-is-not-cute-cats-nor-nudes-motherhood-or-arrangements-of/) [Walker Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walker-evans/) > [I was shocked when I looked at art schools in France. There's only one left that does anatomy. Now they do video. They do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-doillon/i-was-shocked-when-i-looked-at-art-schools-in-france-there-s-only-one/) [Lou Doillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-doillon/) > [I've done a lot of nudes and there's always a sexual charge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-dater/i-ve-done-a-lot-of-nudes-and-there-s-always-a-sexual-charge/) [Judy Dater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-dater/) ## More by Bill Jay > [I appreciate photographs which celebrate harmony. I don't particularly want to look at chaos. I see enough of that at home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-jay/i-appreciate-photographs-which-celebrate-harmony-i-don-t-particularly/) [Bill Jay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-jay/) > [I agree, intellectualism in photography is overrated. I just wish it could be replaced by common sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-jay/i-agree-intellectualism-in-photography-is-overrated-i-just-wish-it/) [Bill Jay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-jay/) > [Why do photographers photograph? To make unreality visible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-jay/why-do-photographers-photograph-to-make-unreality-visible/) [Bill Jay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-jay/) > [There are many reasons why photography does not attract the social and cultural attention it deserves. I would add one more which has received…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-jay/there-are-many-reasons-why-photography-does-not-attract-the-social/) [Bill Jay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-jay/) > [I start a lot of photo projects but never seem to. . . .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-jay/i-start-a-lot-of-photo-projects-but-never-seem-to/) [Bill Jay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-jay/) > [If you cannot think of anything to say that is useful or enlightening about your images, then don't say anything. There are plenty of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-jay/if-you-cannot-think-of-anything-to-say-that-is-useful-or-enlightening/) [Bill Jay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-jay/) > [Think clearly, act sensibly, commit yourself to caring and work hard in order to discover joy. Then give the images back to the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-jay/think-clearly-act-sensibly-commit-yourself-to-caring-and-work-hard-in/) [Bill Jay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-jay/) > [Be gentle and tolerant. Intimacy will grow, but will take time and cannot be rushed. If all goes well, soon you will become more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-jay/be-gentle-and-tolerant-intimacy-will-grow-but-will-take-time-and/) [Bill Jay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-jay/) > [If you are intent on drawing or painting on your prints, you must first learn to draw and paint at least as well as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-jay/if-you-are-intent-on-drawing-or-painting-on-your-prints-you-must/) [Bill Jay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-jay/) > [...photographers who carry 60 pounds of equipment up a hill to photograph a view are not suffering enough, although their whining causes enough suffering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-jay/photographers-who-carry-60-pounds-of-equipment-up-a-hill-to/) [Bill Jay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-jay/) > [Only in art can you make something that no one wants and still be considered successful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-jay/only-in-art-can-you-make-something-that-no-one-wants-and-still-be/) [Bill Jay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-jay/) > [Photographers have already photographed everything too many times, except cheese.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-jay/photographers-have-already-photographed-everything-too-many-times/) [Bill Jay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-jay/) > [A photograph is a mirror; mostly it reflects the prejudices of the viewer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-jay/a-photograph-is-a-mirror-mostly-it-reflects-the-prejudices-of-the/) [Bill Jay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-jay/) > [Photography opens your eyes a little wider to the world around you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-jay/photography-opens-your-eyes-a-little-wider-to-the-world-around-you/) [Bill Jay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-jay/) > [Photographers, like kids, should be seen and not heard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-jay/photographers-like-kids-should-be-seen-and-not-heard/) [Bill Jay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-jay/) [Explore all 44 Bill Jay quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-jay/) ## More Graffiti quotes > [May you eat an unfamiliar dessert in a strange land at least once every three years. May you wake up... and start dancing while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-brezsny/may-you-eat-an-unfamiliar-dessert-in-a-strange-land-at-least-once/) [Rob Brezsny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-brezsny/) > [“A novel is no different than graffiti in a bathroom stall, it's just more pretentious.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christy-leigh-stewart/a-novel-is-no-different-than-graffiti-in-a-bathroom-stall-it-s-just/) [Christy Leigh Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christy-leigh-stewart/) > [You know, you'd hide behind a Public Enemy or Ice Cube, or Bruce Springsteen, or U2, because they spoke for you. But now everybody's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ice-t/you-know-you-d-hide-behind-a-public-enemy-or-ice-cube-or-bruce/) [Ice T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ice-t/) > [Currently, it was leading him through a neighborhood that was on the downside of whatever curve you hoped you'd bought your property on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/currently-it-was-leading-him-through-a-neighborhood-that-was-on-the/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [Environmental damage such as graffiti, fly-posting and general littering is a menace that is becoming all too prevalent, not just in inner cities but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-beckett/environmental-damage-such-as-graffiti-fly-posting-and-general/) [Margaret Beckett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-beckett/) > [I love graffiti because it enables kids from every social extraction to do something that brings them closer to art, when they normally wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-mcgee/i-love-graffiti-because-it-enables-kids-from-every-social-extraction/) [Barry McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-mcgee/) > [“I spray the sky fast. Eyes ahead and behind. Looking for cops. Looking for anyone I don't want to be here. Paint sails and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cath-crowley/i-spray-the-sky-fast-eyes-ahead-and-behind-looking-for-cops-looking/) [cath crowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cath-crowley/) > [The grumpier you are, the more assholes you meet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/the-grumpier-you-are-the-more-assholes-you-meet/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [Berlin is still a very edgy place, a very cosmopolitan place. It's a place where completely different ideas and cultures come together and clash…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-bremmer/berlin-is-still-a-very-edgy-place-a-very-cosmopolitan-place-it-s-a/) [Ian Bremmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-bremmer/) > [Graffiti is like building a career. And there is a dialogue with the other artists out there mostly fellow writers because a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaws/graffiti-is-like-building-a-career-and-there-is-a-dialogue-with-the/) [KAWS](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaws/) > [Graffiti ultimately wins out over proper art because it becomes part of your city, it' s a tool; "I'll meet you in that pub,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/graffiti-ultimately-wins-out-over-proper-art-because-it-becomes-part/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [Graffiti is a pathetic attempt at anonymous recognition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randall-dale-adams/graffiti-is-a-pathetic-attempt-at-anonymous-recognition/) [Randall Dale Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randall-dale-adams/) > [Graffiti's always been a temporary art form. You make your mark and then they scrub it off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/graffiti-s-always-been-a-temporary-art-form-you-make-your-mark-and/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [I started when I was 15 years old. And at that time, I was not thinking about changing the world, I was doing graffiti…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jr/i-started-when-i-was-15-years-old-and-at-that-time-i-was-not-thinking/) JR > [ “\[Graffiti\] gets erased and painted over, and maybe it's even more beautiful because we know it won't last.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-lichtman/graffiti-gets-erased-and-painted-over-and-maybe-it-s-even-more/) Wendy Lichtman [Browse all 204 Graffiti quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/graffiti/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When you can't think of anything else, photograph graffiti, nudes, or plants.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Bill Jay" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-jay/when-you-can-t-think-of-anything-else-photograph-graffiti-nudes-or/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Graffiti" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-jay/when-you-can-t-think-of-anything-else-photograph-graffiti-nudes-or/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e1/bill-jay-14930_graffiti_when-you-can-t-think-of-anything-else-ph_1739827.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e1/bill-jay-14930_graffiti_when-you-can-t-think-of-anything-else-ph_1739827.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e1/bill-jay-14930_graffiti_when-you-can-t-think-of-anything-else-ph_1739827.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When you can't think of anything else, photograph graffiti, nudes, or plants.” — Bill Jay", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Bill Jay", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-jay/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When you can't think of anything...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-jay/when-you-can-t-think-of-anything-else-photograph-graffiti-nudes-or/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-jay/when-you-can-t-think-of-anything-else-photograph-graffiti-nudes-or/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```