Dark room Quote by Clive Scott
““A recurrent question about photography is how much self expression it allows the photographer. There are two standard positions, each corresponding to a different location oh photographic skill. The opposition is neatly summed up in Bioy Casares’s novel The Adventures of a Photographer in La Plata (1989). The hero Nicolasito Almanza declares: ‘I am convinced that all of photography depends on the moment we press the release […] I believe that you’re a photographer if you know exactly when to press the release.’ In making this declaration he is responding to the opinion expressed by Mr Gruter, owner of a photographic laboratory: ‘[…] sometimes I wonder if the true work of the photographer doesn’t begin in the dark room, amid the trays and the enlarger.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Adventures of a Photographer in La Plata by Bioy Casares, 1989
Photography balances capturing decisive moments with post‑processing craft; both are essential to artistic expression.
In simple terms: Both timing and dark‑room work shape a photo.
Key Takeaway
Embrace both shooting and developing.
Themes
creativity
technique
artistic expression
Mood
contemplative
inspired
Type
philosophical
artistic
When to use this quote
- portrait sessions
- street photography
- studio work
- fine art prints
Key Concepts
decisive moment
post‑processing
authorial intent
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you prioritize moment or manipulation?
- How does each stage influence your style?
A Different Perspective
Relying solely on one aspect can limit the depth of the final image.
