Come up Quote by Bruce Barnbaum
“...I always feel it's necessary to look at my images from two distances. Here is my criterion: If I can look at it from a distance and then come up close but find nothing more to see, it's printed too large. It's not giving me any new information when I come up to it.”
About This Quote
The author advises that a good image should reveal new details up close; if not, it is overly large and lacks depth.
In simple terms: Images should offer fresh insight when examined closely; otherwise they're too big.
Key Takeaway
Aim for images that reveal detail at multiple scales.
Themes
art
visual perception
design
scale
detail
Mood
analytical
instructive
Type
educational
critical
When to use this quote
- photography critique
- gallery display
- educational material
- design review
Key Concepts
visual literacy
information theory
aesthetics
Questions to Reflect On
- When does size enhance or hinder visual communication?
- How can you test an image’s depth?
A Different Perspective
Large size can dominate but not add meaning; balance needed.
![“[On the] question of why we might want to look at images even more than the real thing: I think there is some quality when you look at an image of, not only seeing this thing, whether it's the horse or the sky, but you are seeing somebody point at it and say, Look!” quote by Rebecca Solnit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d23/rebecca-solnit-569_horse_on-the-question-of-why-we-might-want-to_927554.jpg)
