Control Quote by Henry Holmes Smith
“I think control is the wrong word. I would put it this way. You see a lovely girl across a crowded room and you walk toward her with hope in your mind. That's the way [my] pictures are made.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Photography theory, 1970s
The author argues that “control” is misleading; instead, hope guides creative pursuit, likening artistic vision to a hopeful approach toward a subject.
In simple terms: Hope, not control, drives artistic creation.
Embrace hopeful intent in creative work.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- photography projects
- creative brainstorming
- studio practice
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does hope influence your creative process?
- When does control become necessary?
Hope alone may not overcome technical limitations.