Interesting Quote by Mary Ellen Mark
![“I think you reveal yourself by what you choose to photograph, but I prefer photographs that tell more about the subject. There's nothing much interesting to tell about me; what's interesting is the person I'm photographing, and that's what I try to show. [...] I think each photographer has a point…” quote by Mary Ellen Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1e6/mary-ellen-mark-8293_interesting_i-think-you-reveal-yourself-by-what-you_1119245.jpg)
“I think you reveal yourself by what you choose to photograph, but I prefer photographs that tell more about the subject. There's nothing much interesting to tell about me; what's interesting is the person I'm photographing, and that's what I try to show. [...] I think each photographer has a point of view and a way of looking at the world... that has to do with your subject matter and how you choose to present it. What's interesting is letting people tell you about themselves in the picture.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New York Times, 1995
Photographers reveal their identity through subject choice; the focus should be on the subject’s story, not the photographer’s ego.
In simple terms: Photographers show themselves by what they photograph, but the subject matters most.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize the subject’s narrative over self‑promotion.
Themes
photography
identity
storytelling
Mood
introspective
creative
Type
reflective
inspirational
When to use this quote
- portrait sessions
- documentary projects
- personal branding
- exhibitions
Key Concepts
subjectivity
visual narrative
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance personal expression with highlighting the subject?
- What stories can a subject reveal that you hadn’t considered?
A Different Perspective
May obscure the photographer’s unique style if too self‑effacing.
![“To touch on people's lives [ in a way they ] haven't been touched on before, it´s fascianting. You know, it's one thing if [ a celebrity ] has an incredible character and you're really going to be able to delve into their personality – that's great. But you can never get real purity if people have…” quote by Mary Ellen Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/968/mary-ellen-mark-8293_able_to-touch-on-people-s-lives-in-a-way-they_232377.jpg)
