--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I start with no preconceived idea…" description: "\"I start with no preconceived idea - discovery excites me to focus - then rediscovery through the lens - final form of presentation seen on ground glass..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96f/edward-weston-8944_allowing_i-start-with-no-preconceived-idea-discov_2654910.jpg" --- # I start with no preconceived idea - discovery excites me… ![“I start with no preconceived idea - discovery excites me to focus - then rediscovery through the lens - final form of presentation seen on ground glass, the finished print previsioned completely in every detail of texture, movement, proportion, before exposure - the shutter's release automatically…” quote by Edward Weston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96f/edward-weston-8944_allowing_i-start-with-no-preconceived-idea-discov_2654910.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96f/edward-weston-8944_allowing_i-start-with-no-preconceived-idea-discov_2654910.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96f/edward-weston-8944_allowing_i-start-with-no-preconceived-idea-discov_2654910.jpg) > “I start with no preconceived idea - discovery excites me to focus - then rediscovery through the lens - final form of presentation seen on ground glass, the finished print previsioned completely in every detail of texture, movement, proportion, before exposure - the shutter's release automatically and finally fixes my conception, allowing no after manipulation - the ultimate end, the print, is but a duplication of all that I saw and felt through my camera.” [Edward Weston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-weston/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The photographer visualizes the final image in detail before capturing, then trusts the camera and process to faithfully reproduce that vision without later alteration. **In simple terms:** Visualize fully before shooting; trust the process. Key Takeaway Plan meticulously, then let the camera execute. Themes photography visualization process authenticity artistic intent Mood concentrated reflective Type artistic technical When to use this quote - portrait sessions - landscape shoots - studio still life - documentary work Key Concepts perception materiality reproduction Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance pre‑visualization with spontaneity? - What aspects of a scene resist exact replication? A Different Perspective Relies on ideal conditions; unpredictable light or subjects can disrupt the vision. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Allowing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/allowing/) [Cameras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cameras/) [Conception](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conception/) [Details](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/details/) [Discovery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discovery/) [Duplication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duplication/) [Ends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ends/) [Excites Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excites-focus-2380100/) [Exposure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exposure/) [Felt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/felt/) [Finals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/finals/) [Finished](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/finished/) [Finished Print](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/finished-print-406734/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Form](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/form/) [Glasses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/glasses/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Lenses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lenses/) [Manipulation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manipulation/) [Movement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movement/) [Photographer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/photographer/) [Photography](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/photography/) [Preconceived Idea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preconceived-idea-316357/) [Preconceived ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preconceived-ideas/) [Presentation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/presentation/) [Previsioned Completely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/previsioned-completely-2380099/) [Print](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/print/) [Print Previsioned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/print-previsioned-2380101/) [Proportion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proportion/) [Rediscovery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rediscovery/) [Release](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/release/) [Saws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saws/) [Shutters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shutters/) [Texture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/texture/) [Ultimate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ultimate/) ## Related quotes > [Since the recording process is instantaneous, and the nature of the image such that it cannot survive corrective handwork, it is obvious that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-weston/since-the-recording-process-is-instantaneous-and-the-nature-of-the/) [Edward Weston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-weston/) > [There is a considerable amount of manipulation in the printmaking from the straight photograph to the finished print. If I do my job correctly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sexton/there-is-a-considerable-amount-of-manipulation-in-the-printmaking/) [John Sexton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sexton/) > [I consider it essential that the photographer should do his own printing and enlarging. The final effect of the finished print depends so much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-brandt/i-consider-it-essential-that-the-photographer-should-do-his-own/) [Bill Brandt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-brandt/) > [ When someone has too much of a thought-out idea, that can be a big obstacle to get anywhere. Because it's like \[if\] you have… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pontus-winnberg/when-someone-has-too-much-of-a-thought-out-idea-that-can-be-a-big/) [Pontus Winnberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pontus-winnberg/) > [People have got a preconceived idea of what I look like, what I perform and what my shows are all about. I can understand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shakin-stevens/people-have-got-a-preconceived-idea-of-what-i-look-like-what-i/) [Shakin' Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shakin-stevens/) > [I prefer my hesitations, my false paths, my stammering, to a preconceived idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-doisneau/i-prefer-my-hesitations-my-false-paths-my-stammering-to-a/) [Robert Doisneau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-doisneau/) > [A child sees everything, looks straight at it, examines it, without any preconceived idea; most people, after they are about eleven or twelve, quite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olive-schreiner/a-child-sees-everything-looks-straight-at-it-examines-it-without-any/) [Olive Schreiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olive-schreiner/) > [It is a matter of fact; I approached without a preconceived idea, too ready to declare, if the experiment had imposed upon me the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-pasteur/it-is-a-matter-of-fact-i-approached-without-a-preconceived-idea-too/) [Louis Pasteur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-pasteur/) > [People in general have a preconceived idea of what prison is, from seeing documentaries or whatever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-prepon/people-in-general-have-a-preconceived-idea-of-what-prison-is-from/) [Laura Prepon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-prepon/) > [I started doing radio pieces with no clear, preconceived idea, except that I have a tendency to be theatrical.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-jay/i-started-doing-radio-pieces-with-no-clear-preconceived-idea-except/) [Ricky Jay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-jay/) > [We have incredible record labels in Australia, but sometimes they have a preconceived idea of how to do things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-mauboy/we-have-incredible-record-labels-in-australia-but-sometimes-they-have/) [Jessica Mauboy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-mauboy/) > [It is impossible to devise an experiment without a preconceived idea; devising an experiment, we said, is putting a question; we never conceive a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-bernard/it-is-impossible-to-devise-an-experiment-without-a-preconceived-idea/) [Claude Bernard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-bernard/) > [Duplication never works for anybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dulquer-salmaan/duplication-never-works-for-anybody/) [Dulquer Salmaan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dulquer-salmaan/) > [Or the Department of Education and another ministry were worried about duplication of effort, so what did they do? They set up two committees…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-bremner/or-the-department-of-education-and-another-ministry-were-worried/) [Rory Bremner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-bremner/) > [“If I have the same logic in two places, I work with the design to understand how I can have only one copy. Designs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kent-beck/if-i-have-the-same-logic-in-two-places-i-work-with-the-design-to/) [Kent Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kent-beck/) ## More by Edward Weston > [I don't care if you make a print on a bath mat, just as long as it is a good print.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-weston/i-don-t-care-if-you-make-a-print-on-a-bath-mat-just-as-long-as-it-is/) [Edward Weston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-weston/) > [Since the recording process is instantaneous, and the nature of the image such that it cannot survive corrective handwork, it is obvious that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-weston/since-the-recording-process-is-instantaneous-and-the-nature-of-the/) [Edward Weston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-weston/) > [for the obvious reason that nature - unadulterated and unimproved by man - is simply chaos. In fact, the camera proves that nature is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-weston/for-the-obvious-reason-that-nature-unadulterated-and-unimproved-by/) [Edward Weston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-weston/) > [Good composition is merely the strongest way of seeing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-weston/good-composition-is-merely-the-strongest-way-of-seeing/) [Edward Weston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-weston/) > [Now one does not think during creative work: any more than one thinks when driving a car. One has a background of years —…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-weston/now-one-does-not-think-during-creative-work-any-more-than-one-thinks/) [Edward Weston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-weston/) > [The photographer's most important and likewise most difficult task is not learning to manage his camera, or to develop, or to print. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-weston/the-photographer-s-most-important-and-likewise-most-difficult-task-is/) [Edward Weston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-weston/) > […so called “composition” becomes a personal thing, to be developed along with technique, as a personal way of seeing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-weston/so-called-composition-becomes-a-personal-thing-to-be-developed-along/) [Edward Weston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-weston/) > [Very often people looking at my pictures say, 'You must have had to wait a long time to get that cloud just right (or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-weston/very-often-people-looking-at-my-pictures-say-you-must-have-had-to/) [Edward Weston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-weston/) > [An excellent conception can be quite obscured by faulty technical execution or clarified by faultless technique.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-weston/an-excellent-conception-can-be-quite-obscured-by-faulty-technical/) [Edward Weston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-weston/) > [I would say to any artist: Don't be repressed in your work, dare to experiment, consider any urge, if in a new direction all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-weston/i-would-say-to-any-artist-don-t-be-repressed-in-your-work-dare-to/) [Edward Weston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-weston/) > [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/) > [Consulting the rules of composition before taking a photograph, is like consulting the laws of gravity before going for a walk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-weston/consulting-the-rules-of-composition-before-taking-a-photograph-is/) [Edward Weston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-weston/) > [As great a picture can be made as one's mental capacity-no greater. Art cannot be taught; it must be self-inspiration, though the imagination may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-weston/as-great-a-picture-can-be-made-as-one-s-mental-capacity-no-greater/) [Edward Weston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-weston/) > [I always work better when I do not reason, when no question of right or wrong enter in,-when my pulse quickens to the form…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-weston/i-always-work-better-when-i-do-not-reason-when-no-question-of-right/) [Edward Weston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-weston/) > [Results alone should be appraised; the way in which these are achieved is of importance only to the maker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-weston/results-alone-should-be-appraised-the-way-in-which-these-are-achieved/) [Edward Weston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-weston/) [Explore all 76 Edward Weston quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-weston/) ## More Allowing quotes > [New generations of humans inherit the acquired discoveries of generations past, allowing cosmic insight to accumulate without limit. Each discovery of science therefore adds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/new-generations-of-humans-inherit-the-acquired-discoveries-of/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [Is the minor convenience of allowing the present generation the luxury of doubling its energy consumption every 10 years worth the major hazard of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-r-brower/is-the-minor-convenience-of-allowing-the-present-generation-the/) [David R. Brower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-r-brower/) > [When you are not honoring the present moment by allowing it to be, you are creating drama.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/when-you-are-not-honoring-the-present-moment-by-allowing-it-to-be-you/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [“Once again I was shamelessly allowing myself to be defined by another person.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ginny-babcock-kinflicks/once-again-i-was-shamelessly-allowing-myself-to-be-defined-by-another/) [Ginny Babcock Kinflicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginny-babcock-kinflicks/) > [Even when I was saying I was Agnostic and trying to figure out my thoughts, I felt God was allowing me to do that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfre-woodard/even-when-i-was-saying-i-was-agnostic-and-trying-to-figure-out-my/) [Alfre Woodard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfre-woodard/) > [By allowing multiple partners to contribute, an open platform can nurture an entire ecosystem of developers and apps. Good products integrate and become great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holmes/by-allowing-multiple-partners-to-contribute-an-open-platform-can/) [Ryan Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holmes/) > [When you ask for patience, what you get is a line at the bank. In other words, life gives you the people, places, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-mcmillan/when-you-ask-for-patience-what-you-get-is-a-line-at-the-bank-in-other/) [Tracy McMillan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-mcmillan/) > [Sometimes, I get afraid it has defined me, that sense of grief, loss and illness. But actually, it is about allowing myself to take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-i-get-afraid-it-has-defined-me-that-sense-of-grief-loss-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Meditation is actually a very simple exercise in resting in the natural state of your present mind, and allowing yourself to be simply and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yongey-mingyur-rinpoche/meditation-is-actually-a-very-simple-exercise-in-resting-in-the/) [Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yongey-mingyur-rinpoche/) > [When you're still, and some actors are really brilliant at that, you bring a kind of energy to you as opposed to sending the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriel-byrne/when-you-re-still-and-some-actors-are-really-brilliant-at-that-you/) [Gabriel Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriel-byrne/) > [The only reason I would write a break-up song is because my own problem of allowing myself to relate to people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zola-jesus/the-only-reason-i-would-write-a-break-up-song-is-because-my-own/) [Zola Jesus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zola-jesus/) > [I just think fashion is about enjoying yourself and being comfortable in your skin and allowing you to be you - all the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-scott/i-just-think-fashion-is-about-enjoying-yourself-and-being-comfortable/) [Jill Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-scott/) > [I don't think there's any harm at all in allowing a kid to fantasize. In fact, I think to stop people from fantasizing is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-don-t-think-there-s-any-harm-at-all-in-allowing-a-kid-to-fantasize/) [J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/) > [All I wanted to do was put together one of the best home maths systems in the world, and that's what we've done. I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-vorderman/all-i-wanted-to-do-was-put-together-one-of-the-best-home-maths/) [Carol Vorderman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-vorderman/) > [I want to deal with the homeless situation here in Washington, D.C. I think it is a travesty that we've got men - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-want-to-deal-with-the-homeless-situation-here-in-washington-d-c-i/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) [Browse all 916 Allowing quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/allowing/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I start with no preconceived idea - discovery excites me to focus - then rediscovery through the lens - final form of presentation seen on ground glass, the finished print previsioned completely in every detail of texture, movement, proportion, before exposure - the shutter's release automatically and finally fixes my conception, allowing no after manipulation - the ultimate end, the print, is but a duplication of all that I saw and felt through my camera.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Edward Weston" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-weston/i-start-with-no-preconceived-idea-discovery-excites-me-to-focus-then/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Allowing" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-weston/i-start-with-no-preconceived-idea-discovery-excites-me-to-focus-then/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96f/edward-weston-8944_allowing_i-start-with-no-preconceived-idea-discov_2654910.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96f/edward-weston-8944_allowing_i-start-with-no-preconceived-idea-discov_2654910.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96f/edward-weston-8944_allowing_i-start-with-no-preconceived-idea-discov_2654910.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I start with no preconceived idea - discovery excites me to focus - then rediscovery through the lens…” — Edward Weston", "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": "Edward Weston", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-weston/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I start with no preconceived idea...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-weston/i-start-with-no-preconceived-idea-discovery-excites-me-to-focus-then/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-weston/i-start-with-no-preconceived-idea-discovery-excites-me-to-focus-then/#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 } } ] } ```