Age Quote by John Szarkowski
“One of the leading uses of photography by the mass media came to be called photojournalism. From the late 'twenties' to the early 'fifties' what might have been the golden age of this speciality - photographers worked largely as the possessors of special and arcane skills, like the ancient priests who practiced and monopolized the skills of pictography or carving or manuscript illumination. In those halcyon days the photographer enjoyed a privileged status.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Photographer's Eye, 1973
Early photojournalism granted photographers elite, almost priestly status due to unique visual skills.
In simple terms: Photographers once held privileged, sacred status.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the power of visual storytelling.
Themes
art
media
history
Mood
reflective
nostalgic
Type
historical
analytical
When to use this quote
- news reporting
- documentary projects
- educational curricula
- archival preservation
Key Concepts
visual culture
journalistic ethics
skill rarity
Questions to Reflect On
- How has the photographer’s role changed?
- What responsibilities come with visual influence?
A Different Perspective
Modern media democratizes photography, reducing exclusivity.
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