--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you can't make the image bigger or…" description: "\"If you can't make the image bigger or more important than what you see, then don't push the button\" — Ruth Bernhard" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/71f/ruth-bernhard-20610_bigger_if-you-can-t-make-the-image-bigger-or-mo_2125213.jpg" --- # If you can't make the image bigger or more important than… ![“If you can't make the image bigger or more important than what you see, then don't push the button” quote by Ruth Bernhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/71f/ruth-bernhard-20610_bigger_if-you-can-t-make-the-image-bigger-or-mo_2125213.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/71f/ruth-bernhard-20610_bigger_if-you-can-t-make-the-image-bigger-or-mo_2125213.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/71f/ruth-bernhard-20610_bigger_if-you-can-t-make-the-image-bigger-or-mo_2125213.jpg) > “If you can't make the image bigger or more important than what you see, then don't push the button” [Ruth Bernhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bernhard/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. It advises not to overemphasize an image beyond its actual significance; stay grounded in reality. **In simple terms:** Don’t overvalue images. Key Takeaway Maintain perspective and focus on substance over appearance. Themes perception reality artistic integrity Mood analytical critical Type philosophical artistic When to use this quote - marketing - social media - design - education Key Concepts visual arts psychology media literacy Questions to Reflect On - How do you decide what deserves emphasis? - When does visual impact become misleading? A Different Perspective May limit creative expression or bold statements. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bigger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bigger/) [Bigger Important](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bigger-important-2850294/) [Buttons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buttons/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Image Bigger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/image-bigger-4355512/) [Important](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/important/) [Make Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make-image-1668508/) [Photographer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/photographer/) [Photography](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/photography/) [Push Button](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/push-button-1208091/) ## Related quotes > [A Pentagon official once said the people who would actually push the button probably have never seen a person die. He said the only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-williams/a-pentagon-official-once-said-the-people-who-would-actually-push-the/) [Robin Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-williams/) > [It's supposed to be automatic, but actually you have to push this button.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brunner/it-s-supposed-to-be-automatic-but-actually-you-have-to-push-this/) [John Brunner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brunner/) > [Instead of raising your hand to ask a question in class, how about individual push buttons on each desk? That way, when you want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/instead-of-raising-your-hand-to-ask-a-question-in-class-how-about/) [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) > [The ultimate promise of technology is to make us master of a world that we command by the push of a button.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/volker-grassmuck/the-ultimate-promise-of-technology-is-to-make-us-master-of-a-world/) [Volker Grassmuck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/volker-grassmuck/) > [I wanted to make an image for myself as an outlaw type. A kind of rock 'n' roll sensibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-cage/i-wanted-to-make-an-image-for-myself-as-an-outlaw-type-a-kind-of-rock/) [Nicolas Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-cage/) > [I like to make an image that is so simple you can't avoid it, and so complicated you can't figure it out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-katz/i-like-to-make-an-image-that-is-so-simple-you-can-t-avoid-it-and-so/) [Alex Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-katz/) > [The impulse that led you to make an image is a thing that you cannot share with anyone, even if you explain it. What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanloup-sieff/the-impulse-that-led-you-to-make-an-image-is-a-thing-that-you-cannot/) [Jeanloup Sieff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanloup-sieff/) > [The Manchester Derby is bigger and more important than El Classico.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diego-maradona/the-manchester-derby-is-bigger-and-more-important-than-el-classico/) [Diego Maradona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-maradona/) > [Make a commitment today to something bigger and more important than yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/make-a-commitment-today-to-something-bigger-and-more-important-than/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [Everyone wants to belong, or be a part of something bigger than themselves, but it's important to follow your heart and be true to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-giffin/everyone-wants-to-belong-or-be-a-part-of-something-bigger-than/) [Emily Giffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-giffin/) > [I am making every effort to reach out to all party leaders with one clear message: Israel is bigger and more important than any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benny-gantz/i-am-making-every-effort-to-reach-out-to-all-party-leaders-with-one/) [Benny Gantz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benny-gantz/) > [I think, there are people for whom freedom is a bigger, more important thing than stability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/i-think-there-are-people-for-whom-freedom-is-a-bigger-more-important/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [If you die in an elevator, be sure to push the Up button.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-levenson/if-you-die-in-an-elevator-be-sure-to-push-the-up-button/) [Sam Levenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-levenson/) > [You push the button, we do the rest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-eastman/you-push-the-button-we-do-the-rest/) [George Eastman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eastman/) > [“She pushed the car. But I was so distracted that i forgot to push the button on the timer, so we had to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-sonnenblick/she-pushed-the-car-but-i-was-so-distracted-that-i-forgot-to-push-the/) [Jordan Sonnenblick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-sonnenblick/) ## More by Ruth Bernhard > [I never question what to do, it tells me what to do. The photographs make themselves with my help.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bernhard/i-never-question-what-to-do-it-tells-me-what-to-do-the-photographs/) [Ruth Bernhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bernhard/) > [Light is my inspiration. My photographic images search for dimensions that words cannot touch- the result of intense responses to personal experiences. I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bernhard/light-is-my-inspiration-my-photographic-images-search-for-dimensions/) [Ruth Bernhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bernhard/) > [Photography is art when it's used by an artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bernhard/photography-is-art-when-it-s-used-by-an-artist/) [Ruth Bernhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bernhard/) > [If you are not passionately devoted to an idea, you can make very pleasant pictures but they won't make you cry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bernhard/if-you-are-not-passionately-devoted-to-an-idea-you-can-make-very/) [Ruth Bernhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bernhard/) > [My quest, through the magic of light and shadow, is to isolate, to simplify and to give emphasis to form with the greatest clarity.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bernhard/my-quest-through-the-magic-of-light-and-shadow-is-to-isolate-to/) [Ruth Bernhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bernhard/) > [#1 Never Get Used to Anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bernhard/1-never-get-used-to-anything/) [Ruth Bernhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bernhard/) > [I always said 'yes' to everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bernhard/i-always-said-yes-to-everything/) [Ruth Bernhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bernhard/) > [I expect photographs to find me. I never thought of looking for them. I instinctively put them there. My intellect had nothing to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bernhard/i-expect-photographs-to-find-me-i-never-thought-of-looking-for-them-i/) [Ruth Bernhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bernhard/) > [There is nothing unimportant in the universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bernhard/there-is-nothing-unimportant-in-the-universe/) [Ruth Bernhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bernhard/) > [Every day I am aware of the flow and constant change; perhaps I am at the edge of discovering what more our bodies might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bernhard/every-day-i-am-aware-of-the-flow-and-constant-change-perhaps-i-am-at/) [Ruth Bernhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bernhard/) > [I never look for a photograph. The photograph finds me and says, I'm here! and I say, Yes, I see you. I hear you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bernhard/i-never-look-for-a-photograph-the-photograph-finds-me-and-says-i-m/) [Ruth Bernhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bernhard/) > [Fall in love. Every day. With everything. With life. If you can fall in love, you can be a photographer. I think that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bernhard/fall-in-love-every-day-with-everything-with-life-if-you-can-fall-in/) [Ruth Bernhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bernhard/) > [It is so basic. A human being is an innocent part of nature. Our civilization has distorted this universal quality that allows us to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bernhard/it-is-so-basic-a-human-being-is-an-innocent-part-of-nature-our/) [Ruth Bernhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bernhard/) > [A person cannot learn to be a photographer. He can only cultivate what he already has. I try to make people aware that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bernhard/a-person-cannot-learn-to-be-a-photographer-he-can-only-cultivate-what/) [Ruth Bernhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bernhard/) > [Everything is one and I am one with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bernhard/everything-is-one-and-i-am-one-with-it/) [Ruth Bernhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bernhard/) [Explore all 30 Ruth Bernhard quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bernhard/) ## More Bigger quotes > [The bigger the canvas, the better I do. I'm not so good at understated, kitchen-sink kinds of parts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/the-bigger-the-canvas-the-better-i-do-i-m-not-so-good-at-understated/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [I have always been a big meta guy because I think the way journalism is practiced in Washington, and the way everyone sort of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-leibovich/i-have-always-been-a-big-meta-guy-because-i-think-the-way-journalism/) [Mark Leibovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-leibovich/) > [In China, people are moving from bigger cars to small hatches, and interestingly, the Indian market is graduating to bigger cars and sedans. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winfried-vahland/in-china-people-are-moving-from-bigger-cars-to-small-hatches-and/) [Winfried Vahland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winfried-vahland/) > [Can you imagine any better example of divine creative accomplishment that the consummate flying machine that is a bird? The skeleton, very flexible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-murchie/can-you-imagine-any-better-example-of-divine-creative-accomplishment/) [Guy Murchie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-murchie/) > [I just think structure can make a book feel so much bigger. It's the architecture. You could use flimsy materials if you wanted to,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jami-attenberg/i-just-think-structure-can-make-a-book-feel-so-much-bigger-it-s-the/) [Jami Attenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jami-attenberg/) > [I've always thought that the most extraordinary special effect you could do is to buy a child at the moment of its birth, sit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-barker/i-ve-always-thought-that-the-most-extraordinary-special-effect-you/) [Clive Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-barker/) > [Max—you have a bigger mission than finding the flock's parents. Focus on helping the whole world, not just your friends. I held my wings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/max-you-have-a-bigger-mission-than-finding-the-flock-s-parents-focus/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) > [Sometimes people can write really great scenes and even a great episode, but they can't see the bigger picture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-night-shyamalan/sometimes-people-can-write-really-great-scenes-and-even-a-great/) [M. Night Shyamalan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-night-shyamalan/) > [Never be too busy for the people you love. Never allow pursuits or possessions to become bigger priorities than your relationships. Love is what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-willis/never-be-too-busy-for-the-people-you-love-never-allow-pursuits-or/) [Dave Willis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-willis/) > [If you consider yourself a part of the culture, then finances can't allow you to be bigger than the actual art form.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-jackson/if-you-consider-yourself-a-part-of-the-culture-then-finances-can-t/) [Curtis Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-jackson/) > [If we get better our customers will demand we get bigger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-truett-cathy/if-we-get-better-our-customers-will-demand-we-get-bigger/) [S. Truett Cathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-truett-cathy/) > [ Their \[the U.S.’s\] defense budget in absolute figures is almost 25 times bigger than Russia’s. This is what in defense is referred to as… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/their-the-u-s-s-defense-budget-in-absolute-figures-is-almost-25-times/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [I think everyone has been annoyed at school or in their life, that's a type of bullying. So, you can take those feelings and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kodi-smit-mcphee/i-think-everyone-has-been-annoyed-at-school-or-in-their-life-that-s-a/) [Kodi Smit-McPhee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kodi-smit-mcphee/) > [Athletes at all ages are bigger and stronger than ever before. And they are being encouraged - sometimes even incentivized, as we recently learned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naveen-jain/athletes-at-all-ages-are-bigger-and-stronger-than-ever-before-and/) [Naveen Jain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naveen-jain/) [Browse all 3,614 Bigger quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bigger/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you can't make the image bigger or more important than what you see, then don't push the button", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ruth Bernhard" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bernhard/if-you-can-t-make-the-image-bigger-or-more-important-than-what-you/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Bigger" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bernhard/if-you-can-t-make-the-image-bigger-or-more-important-than-what-you/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/71f/ruth-bernhard-20610_bigger_if-you-can-t-make-the-image-bigger-or-mo_2125213.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/71f/ruth-bernhard-20610_bigger_if-you-can-t-make-the-image-bigger-or-mo_2125213.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/71f/ruth-bernhard-20610_bigger_if-you-can-t-make-the-image-bigger-or-mo_2125213.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If you can't make the image bigger or more important than what you see, then don't push the button” — Ruth Bernhard", "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": "Ruth Bernhard", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bernhard/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If you can't make the image...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bernhard/if-you-can-t-make-the-image-bigger-or-more-important-than-what-you/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bernhard/if-you-can-t-make-the-image-bigger-or-more-important-than-what-you/#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 } } ] } ```