--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Be still with yourself Until the object…" description: "\"Be still with yourself Until the object of your attention Affirms your presence Let the Subject generate its own Composition When the image mirrors the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/226/minor-white-15513_focus_be-still-with-yourself-until-the-object_3024360.jpg" --- # Be still with yourself Until the object of your attention… ![“Be still with yourself Until the object of your attention Affirms your presence Let the Subject generate its own Composition When the image mirrors the man And the man mirrors the subject Something might take over” quote by Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/226/minor-white-15513_focus_be-still-with-yourself-until-the-object_3024360.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/226/minor-white-15513_focus_be-still-with-yourself-until-the-object_3024360.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/226/minor-white-15513_focus_be-still-with-yourself-until-the-object_3024360.jpg) > “Be still with yourself Until the object of your attention Affirms your presence Let the Subject generate its own Composition When the image mirrors the man And the man mirrors the subject Something might take over” [Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote suggests that true artistic creation arises when the observer and subject reflect each other, allowing the subject to shape its own form. **In simple terms:** Art emerges when observer and subject mirror each other. Key Takeaway Seek mutual reflection in creation. Themes art reflection creativity Mood contemplative inspired Type philosophical artistic When to use this quote - photography - visual art - mindfulness Key Concepts aesthetics subjectivity Questions to Reflect On - How does your presence influence your work? - Can you let the subject lead? A Different Perspective The process can be hindered by ego or forced interpretation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Presence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/presence/) ## Related quotes > [Be still with yourself until the object of your attention affirms your presence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/be-still-with-yourself-until-the-object-of-your-attention-affirms/) [Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/) > [“He introduced himself to us out of kindness: how else could we have known him? Reason took us as far as the door; but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hakim-sanai/he-introduced-himself-to-us-out-of-kindness-how-else-could-we-have/) [Hakim Sanai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hakim-sanai/) > [When you approach something to photograph it, first be still with yourself until the object of your attention affirms your presence. Then don't leave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/when-you-approach-something-to-photograph-it-first-be-still-with/) [Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/) > [When I am writing, and occasionally achieve single focus and presence, I finally feel that is where I'm supposed to be. Everything else is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-ullman/when-i-am-writing-and-occasionally-achieve-single-focus-and-presence/) [Ellen Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-ullman/) > [When one is frank, one's very presence is a compliment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-moore/when-one-is-frank-one-s-very-presence-is-a-compliment/) [Marianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-moore/) > [“Only through absence can we understand presence, he told me, and I understood that by then. I understood it well. After”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-domet/only-through-absence-can-we-understand-presence-he-told-me-and-i/) [Sarah Domet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-domet/) > [“In your darkest times, never be afraid. The Lord's presence is always with you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/in-your-darkest-times-never-be-afraid-the-lord-s-presence-is-always/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [God is near whether you sense His presence or not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/god-is-near-whether-you-sense-his-presence-or-not/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [Many are observing Ferguson and witnessing the anger, demonstrations, looting and vandalism and calling for quiet. But quiet isn't enough. The absence of noise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/many-are-observing-ferguson-and-witnessing-the-anger-demonstrations/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [Seeing my children makes me come most alive. I come home and I see my kids' faces light up when they see me at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-patrick/seeing-my-children-makes-me-come-most-alive-i-come-home-and-i-see-my/) [Richard Patrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-patrick/) > [Racism has never been outright gone in the history of this nation, but I think we've had moments where everybody has been really fed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jemele-hill/racism-has-never-been-outright-gone-in-the-history-of-this-nation-but/) [Jemele Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jemele-hill/) > [Throughout my years, I've had the pleasure of assembling and training what I believe to be the best group of people in the world.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-adair/throughout-my-years-i-ve-had-the-pleasure-of-assembling-and-training/) [Red Adair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-adair/) > [In solitude, at last, we’re able to let God define us the way we are always supposed to be defined—by relationship: the I-thou relationship,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-rohr/in-solitude-at-last-we-re-able-to-let-god-define-us-the-way-we-are/) [Richard Rohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-rohr/) > [“A spark of every fire we seek is already within us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamand-kojouri/a-spark-of-every-fire-we-seek-is-already-within-us/) [Kamand Kojouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamand-kojouri/) > [“I was thinking how most people don't make you feel much of anything at all. Don't make you feel like time spent with them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-lotter/i-was-thinking-how-most-people-don-t-make-you-feel-much-of-anything/) [Jane Lotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-lotter/) ## More by Minor White > [When you approach something to photograph it, first be still with yourself until the object of your attention affirms your presence. Then don't leave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/when-you-approach-something-to-photograph-it-first-be-still-with/) [Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/) > [Often while traveling with a camera we arrive just as the sun slips over the horizon of a moment, too late to expose film,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/often-while-traveling-with-a-camera-we-arrive-just-as-the-sun-slips/) [Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/) > [Reaching a 'creative' state of mind thru positive action is considered preferable to waiting for 'inspiration'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/reaching-a-creative-state-of-mind-thru-positive-action-is-considered/) [Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/) > [In putting images together I become active, and excitement is of another order - synthesis overshadows analysis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/in-putting-images-together-i-become-active-and-excitement-is-of/) [Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/) > [Photographers who come up with power never get accused of imitating anyone else even though they photograph the same broom, same street, same portraits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/photographers-who-come-up-with-power-never-get-accused-of-imitating/) [Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/) > [When I looked at things for what they are I was fool enough to persist in my folly and found that each photograph was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/when-i-looked-at-things-for-what-they-are-i-was-fool-enough-to/) [Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/) > [Watching the way the current moves a blade of grass - sometimes I've seen that happen and it has just turned me inside out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/watching-the-way-the-current-moves-a-blade-of-grass-sometimes-i-ve/) [Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/) > [Different levels of photography require different levels of understanding and skill. A "press the button, let George do the rest" photographer needs little or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/different-levels-of-photography-require-different-levels-of/) [Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/) > [Before he has seen the whole, how unusually perceptive and imaginative the person must be to evolve the entire sequence by meditating on its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/before-he-has-seen-the-whole-how-unusually-perceptive-and-imaginative/) [Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/) > [Let the subject generate its own photographs. Become a camera.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/let-the-subject-generate-its-own-photographs-become-a-camera/) [Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/) > [We could teach photography as a way to make a living, and best of all, somehow to get students to experience for themselves photography…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/we-could-teach-photography-as-a-way-to-make-a-living-and-best-of-all/) [Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/) > [At first glance a photograph can inform us. At second glance it can reach us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/at-first-glance-a-photograph-can-inform-us-at-second-glance-it-can/) [Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/) > [A very receptive state of mind... not unlike a sheet of film itself - seemingly inert, yet so sensitive that a fraction of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/a-very-receptive-state-of-mind-not-unlike-a-sheet-of-film-itself/) [Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/) > [When gifts are given to me through my camera, I accept them graciously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/when-gifts-are-given-to-me-through-my-camera-i-accept-them-graciously/) [Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/) > [...insight, vision, moments of revelation. During those rare moments something overtakes the man and he becomes the tool of a greater Force; the servant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/insight-vision-moments-of-revelation-during-those-rare-moments/) [Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/) [Explore all 43 Minor White quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/) ## More Focus quotes > [If you take your eye off the ball or lose focus for even a minute you can lose a game against any team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felipe-anderson/if-you-take-your-eye-off-the-ball-or-lose-focus-for-even-a-minute-you/) [Felipe Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felipe-anderson/) > [Music is a job, but I figured out ways to get my mind into a place where I could be creative. I actually discovered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flume/music-is-a-job-but-i-figured-out-ways-to-get-my-mind-into-a-place/) [Flume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flume/) > [“If you're focused, you can't get bored.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alin-sav/if-you-re-focused-you-can-t-get-bored/) [Alin Sav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alin-sav/) > [There are more important things to focus on in life than how you look.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arden-cho/there-are-more-important-things-to-focus-on-in-life-than-how-you-look/) [Arden Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arden-cho/) > [Focus on becoming more to achieve more while doing less](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/focus-on-becoming-more-to-achieve-more-while-doing-less/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [I don't think about the press or the crowds or the other leaders of the race. The focus is only on myself. As soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalena-neuner/i-don-t-think-about-the-press-or-the-crowds-or-the-other-leaders-of/) [Magdalena Neuner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalena-neuner/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [“This is Galileo,” said Aristotle. “He advocates understanding the world through observation and experiment. He is an unimaginative thinker, but his results demand our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liu-cixin/this-is-galileo-said-aristotle-he-advocates-understanding-the-world/) [Liu Cixin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liu-cixin/) > [Too many times we flitter our energy into too many goals and in the process don't achieve much. Focus is very important in life.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaishali-kasture/too-many-times-we-flitter-our-energy-into-too-many-goals-and-in-the/) [Vaishali Kasture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaishali-kasture/) > [If you ask another competitor, they may tell you they felt very competitive towards me. But I can tell you that my biggest competition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-kwan/if-you-ask-another-competitor-they-may-tell-you-they-felt-very/) [Michelle Kwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-kwan/) > [When you approach something to photograph it, first be still with yourself until the object of your attention affirms your presence. Then don't leave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/when-you-approach-something-to-photograph-it-first-be-still-with/) [Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/) > [Enlightened people live in very charged states of attention, with a tremendous power circuiting through them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/enlightened-people-live-in-very-charged-states-of-attention-with-a/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [All I'm focused on is playing my game. Everything else will take care of itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grigor-dimitrov/all-i-m-focused-on-is-playing-my-game-everything-else-will-take-care/) [Grigor Dimitrov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grigor-dimitrov/) > [Focus on being productive instead of busy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-ferriss/focus-on-being-productive-instead-of-busy/) [Tim Ferriss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-ferriss/) [Browse all 11,734 Focus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Be still with yourself Until the object of your attention Affirms your presence Let the Subject generate its own Composition When the image mirrors the man And the man mirrors the subject Something might take over", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Minor White" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/be-still-with-yourself-until-the-object-of-your-attention-affirms-2/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Focus" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/be-still-with-yourself-until-the-object-of-your-attention-affirms-2/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/226/minor-white-15513_focus_be-still-with-yourself-until-the-object_3024360.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/226/minor-white-15513_focus_be-still-with-yourself-until-the-object_3024360.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/226/minor-white-15513_focus_be-still-with-yourself-until-the-object_3024360.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Be still with yourself Until the object of your attention Affirms your presence Let the Subject generate its…” — Minor White", "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": "Minor White", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Be still with yourself Until the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/be-still-with-yourself-until-the-object-of-your-attention-affirms-2/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/be-still-with-yourself-until-the-object-of-your-attention-affirms-2/#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 } } ] } ```