Arms Quote by Garry Winogrand
“You use the vertical edge as the point of reference, instead of the horizontal edge. I have a picture of a beggar, where there's an arm coming into the frame from the side. And the arm is parallel to the horizontal edge and it makes it work. It's all games, you know. But it keeps it interesting to do, to play.”
About This Quote
Source Photography: Street Photography Essays, 1975
Advocates using vertical references over horizontal to create dynamic composition, adding visual interest.
In simple terms: Use vertical lines to guide the eye and make images lively.
Experiment with vertical composition.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- portrait photography
- advertising
- film framing
- graphic design
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does changing reference affect viewer perception?
- When is vertical composition most effective?
May not suit all subjects or styles.