Being true Quote by Paul Strand
“The camera machine cannot evade the objects which are in front of it. When the photographer selects this movement, the light, the objects, he must be true to them. If he includes in his space a strip of grass, it must be felt as the living differentiated thing it is and so recorded. It must take its proper but no less important place as a shape and a texture in relationship to the mountain tree or what not, which are included.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Camera Work, 1932
A photographer must faithfully represent every element in the scene, giving each its rightful presence and texture.
In simple terms: Capture truth of all parts.
Key Takeaway
Respect each subject equally.
Themes
photography
truth
composition
detail
respect
Mood
contemplative
serene
Type
instructional
philosophical
When to use this quote
- portraiture
- landscape
- documentary
- street photography
- studio work
Key Concepts
visual fidelity
subjectivity
texture
relationship
balance
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you decide what to emphasize?
- What does “truth” mean in visual art?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on one element can distort overall harmony.
![“Whether a watercolor is inferior to an oil [painting], or whether a drawing, an etching, or a photograph is not as important as either, is inconsequent. To have to despise something in order to respect something else is a sign of impotence.” quote by Paul Strand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a0f/paul-strand-17678_despise_whether-a-watercolor-is-inferior-to-an-o_1061739.jpg)
