--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Ill always be an amateur photographer." description: "\"Ill always be an amateur photographer.\" — Elliott Erwitt" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c0/elliott-erwitt-8735_amateur_ill-always-be-an-amateur-photographer-70_706476.jpg" --- # Ill always be an amateur photographer. ![“Ill always be an amateur photographer.” quote by Elliott Erwitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c0/elliott-erwitt-8735_amateur_ill-always-be-an-amateur-photographer-70_706476.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c0/elliott-erwitt-8735_amateur_ill-always-be-an-amateur-photographer-70_706476.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c0/elliott-erwitt-8735_amateur_ill-always-be-an-amateur-photographer-70_706476.jpg) > “Ill always be an amateur photographer.” [Elliott Erwitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-erwitt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He embraces continual learning and humility in his craft, valuing passion over expertise. **In simple terms:** He stays a learner in photography. Key Takeaway Keep practicing and stay curious. Themes humility learning creativity Mood reflective inspired Type personal philosophical When to use this quote - personal hobby - artistic development - travel documentation Key Concepts photography growth mindset Questions to Reflect On - How does staying amateur affect your artistic freedom? - What can you learn from professionals without losing your beginner’s joy? A Different Perspective May lack technical mastery compared to professionals. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ill/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Photographer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/photographer/) [Photography](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/photography/) ## Related quotes > [I'll always be an amateur photographer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-erwitt/i-ll-always-be-an-amateur-photographer/) [Elliott Erwitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-erwitt/) > [I'm an amateur photographer, apart from being a professional one, and I think maybe my amateur pictures are the better ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-erwitt/i-m-an-amateur-photographer-apart-from-being-a-professional-one-and-i/) [Elliott Erwitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-erwitt/) > [I've been an amateur photographer since my teens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaspard-ulliel/i-ve-been-an-amateur-photographer-since-my-teens/) [Gaspard Ulliel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaspard-ulliel/) > [I'm a writer. An amateur photographer. An actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-affleck/i-m-a-writer-an-amateur-photographer-an-actor/) [Ben Affleck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-affleck/) > [I was an amateur - I am an amateur - and I intend to stay an amateur. To me an amateur photographer is one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erwin-blumenfeld/i-was-an-amateur-i-am-an-amateur-and-i-intend-to-stay-an-amateur-to/) Erwin Blumenfeld > [Nothing happens when you sit at home. I always make it a point to carry a camera with me at all times...I just shoot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-erwitt/nothing-happens-when-you-sit-at-home-i-always-make-it-a-point-to/) [Elliott Erwitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-erwitt/) > [For this very reason I refuse all the tricks of the trade and professional virtuosity which could make me betray my career. As soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-kertesz/for-this-very-reason-i-refuse-all-the-tricks-of-the-trade-and/) [Andre Kertesz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-kertesz/) > [My dad had been an ardent amateur photographer, and he taught me to compose a photograph from the back to the front, and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-abell/my-dad-had-been-an-ardent-amateur-photographer-and-he-taught-me-to/) [Sam Abell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-abell/) > [“I am not a photographer, not even an amateur photographer: too impatient for that: I must see right away what I have produced (Polaroid?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-am-not-a-photographer-not-even-an-amateur-photographer-too/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“A great photographer show off his talent & awards on facebook. An amateur photographer show off his work and skill on facebook. A foolgrapher…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junior-ming/a-great-photographer-show-off-his-talent-awards-on-facebook-an/) Junior Ming > [“I am a professional photographer by trade and an amateur photographer by vocation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-am-a-professional-photographer-by-trade-and-an-amateur-photographer/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [As a matter of fact, nearly all the greatest work is being, and has always been done, by those who are following photography for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-stieglitz/as-a-matter-of-fact-nearly-all-the-greatest-work-is-being-and-has/) [Alfred Stieglitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-stieglitz/) > [It's about reacting to what you see, hopefully without preconception. You can find pictures anywhere. It's simply a matter of noticing things and organising…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-erwitt/it-s-about-reacting-to-what-you-see-hopefully-without-preconception/) [Elliott Erwitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-erwitt/) > [It's just seeing - at least the photography I care about. You either see or you don't see. The rest is academic. Anyone can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-erwitt/it-s-just-seeing-at-least-the-photography-i-care-about-you-either-see/) [Elliott Erwitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-erwitt/) > [Photography is a craft. Anyone can learn a craft with normal intelligence and application. To take it beyond the craft is something else. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-erwitt/photography-is-a-craft-anyone-can-learn-a-craft-with-normal/) [Elliott Erwitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-erwitt/) ## More by Elliott Erwitt > [Nothing happens when you sit at home. I always make it a point to carry a camera with me at all times...I just shoot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-erwitt/nothing-happens-when-you-sit-at-home-i-always-make-it-a-point-to/) [Elliott Erwitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-erwitt/) > [Photoshop is useful in many ways but must NEVER be used for the altering of photographs. My assistants and my agency do whatever Photoshop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-erwitt/photoshop-is-useful-in-many-ways-but-must-never-be-used-for-the/) [Elliott Erwitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-erwitt/) > [I don't really have a favorite camera. I use a Leica and Canon a lot. It depends, especially professionally, on the requirements. But my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-erwitt/i-don-t-really-have-a-favorite-camera-i-use-a-leica-and-canon-a-lot/) [Elliott Erwitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-erwitt/) > [Do what the client wants, not what you want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-erwitt/do-what-the-client-wants-not-what-you-want/) [Elliott Erwitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-erwitt/) > [It's just seeing - at least the photography I care about. You either see or you don't see. The rest is academic. Anyone can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-erwitt/it-s-just-seeing-at-least-the-photography-i-care-about-you-either-see/) [Elliott Erwitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-erwitt/) > [Photography is pretty simple stuff. You just react to what you see, and take many, many pictures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-erwitt/photography-is-pretty-simple-stuff-you-just-react-to-what-you-see-and/) [Elliott Erwitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-erwitt/) > [After following the crowd for a while, I'd then go 180 degrees in the exact opposite direction. It always worked for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-erwitt/after-following-the-crowd-for-a-while-i-d-then-go-180-degrees-in-the/) [Elliott Erwitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-erwitt/) > [It's about reacting to what you see, hopefully without preconception. You can find pictures anywhere. It's simply a matter of noticing things and organising…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-erwitt/it-s-about-reacting-to-what-you-see-hopefully-without-preconception/) [Elliott Erwitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-erwitt/) > [Photography is a craft. Anyone can learn a craft with normal intelligence and application. To take it beyond the craft is something else. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-erwitt/photography-is-a-craft-anyone-can-learn-a-craft-with-normal/) [Elliott Erwitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-erwitt/) > [I see no difference between my pictures that people consider amusing and the rest. To me, it's all serious work - they're just a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-erwitt/i-see-no-difference-between-my-pictures-that-people-consider-amusing/) [Elliott Erwitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-erwitt/) > [My life has been quite interesting professionally,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-erwitt/my-life-has-been-quite-interesting-professionally/) [Elliott Erwitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-erwitt/) > [Good photography is not about Zone Printing or any other Ansel Adams nonsense. It's just about seeing. You either see or you don't see.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-erwitt/good-photography-is-not-about-zone-printing-or-any-other-ansel-adams/) [Elliott Erwitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-erwitt/) > [Professionally I've evolved with what's required, but the pictures I do for pleasure haven't changed, except for the cars in the background, the clothing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-erwitt/professionally-i-ve-evolved-with-what-s-required-but-the-pictures-i/) [Elliott Erwitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-erwitt/) > [Making people laugh is one of the highest achievements you can have. And when you can make someone laugh and cry, alternatively, as Chaplin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-erwitt/making-people-laugh-is-one-of-the-highest-achievements-you-can-have/) [Elliott Erwitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-erwitt/) > [You can find pictures anywhere. It's simply a matter of noticing things and organizing them. You just have to care about what's around you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-erwitt/you-can-find-pictures-anywhere-it-s-simply-a-matter-of-noticing/) [Elliott Erwitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-erwitt/) [Explore all 78 Elliott Erwitt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-erwitt/) ## More Amateur quotes > [“The amateur doesn't appreciate the need for experimentation. He wants his experts to know.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-f-skinner-2/the-amateur-doesn-t-appreciate-the-need-for-experimentation-he-wants/) [B.F. Skinner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-f-skinner-2/) > [A professional is a man who can do his job when he doesn't feel like it. An amateur is a man who can't do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-agate/a-professional-is-a-man-who-can-do-his-job-when-he-doesn-t-feel-like/) [James Agate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-agate/) > [My father was a GP; my mother was a teacher and amateur actress. My father was a bit of a storyteller, but the acting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ciaran-hinds/my-father-was-a-gp-my-mother-was-a-teacher-and-amateur-actress-my/) [Ciaran Hinds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ciaran-hinds/) > [I did a musical when I was 17, an amateur show, and I loved it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taron-egerton/i-did-a-musical-when-i-was-17-an-amateur-show-and-i-loved-it/) [Taron Egerton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taron-egerton/) > [Every artist was first an amateur.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/every-artist-was-first-an-amateur/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“The definition of a professional is one who does a job well even when they don't like it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-sheinwald/the-definition-of-a-professional-is-one-who-does-a-job-well-even-when/) Alan Sheinwald > [I think most amateurs dread playing a 180-plus-yard par 3 even more than a hard par 4. Part of it is psychological: You think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-els/i-think-most-amateurs-dread-playing-a-180-plus-yard-par-3-even-more/) [Ernie Els](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-els/) > [I read a lot of 'Nancy Drew' books as a kid and considered myself a bit of an amateur detective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chelsea-cain/i-read-a-lot-of-nancy-drew-books-as-a-kid-and-considered-myself-a-bit/) [Chelsea Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chelsea-cain/) > [Professionalism is environmental. Amateurism is anti-environmental. Professionalism merges the individual into patterns of total environment. Amateurism seeks the development of the total awareness of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-mcluhan/professionalism-is-environmental-amateurism-is-anti-environmental/) [Marshall McLuhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-mcluhan/) > [You count a man's U.S. Amateur titles after he starts winning professional majors. That's something any intelligent golf writer with a sense of history…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-jenkins/you-count-a-man-s-u-s-amateur-titles-after-he-starts-winning/) [Dan Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-jenkins/) > [Most amateurs are so worried about mis-hitting the shot or hitting it off line, they don't make an aggressive move. You'd be surprised how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keegan-bradley/most-amateurs-are-so-worried-about-mis-hitting-the-shot-or-hitting-it/) [Keegan Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keegan-bradley/) > [Amateur boxing is one of the safest sports around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-calzaghe/amateur-boxing-is-one-of-the-safest-sports-around/) [Joe Calzaghe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-calzaghe/) > [“Amateur: One reckless enough to risk being interesting.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-barringer/amateur-one-reckless-enough-to-risk-being-interesting/) David Barringer > [Time management is probably the biggest thing I've had to learn to deal with being on the PGA Tour, whether it be media or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rickie-fowler/time-management-is-probably-the-biggest-thing-i-ve-had-to-learn-to/) [Rickie Fowler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rickie-fowler/) > [When people buy, rescue, or otherwise acquire a dog from unscrupulous breeders or amateur rescue groups, they are making a decision with ethical consequences.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-katz/when-people-buy-rescue-or-otherwise-acquire-a-dog-from-unscrupulous/) [Jon Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-katz/) Browse all 352 Amateur quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Ill always be an amateur photographer.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Elliott Erwitt" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-erwitt/ill-always-be-an-amateur-photographer/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Amateur" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-erwitt/ill-always-be-an-amateur-photographer/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c0/elliott-erwitt-8735_amateur_ill-always-be-an-amateur-photographer-70_706476.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c0/elliott-erwitt-8735_amateur_ill-always-be-an-amateur-photographer-70_706476.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c0/elliott-erwitt-8735_amateur_ill-always-be-an-amateur-photographer-70_706476.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Ill always be an amateur photographer.” — Elliott Erwitt", "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": "Elliott Erwitt", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-erwitt/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Ill always be an amateur photographer.", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-erwitt/ill-always-be-an-amateur-photographer/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-erwitt/ill-always-be-an-amateur-photographer/#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 } } ] } ```