Approach Quote by Simon Norfolk
“A picture that is ghostly and silent can be more eloquent and less clichéd than a noisier photo-journalistic approach and I have attempted to make pictures that whilst they are not documentary in the traditional sense, they are still documents, like forensic traces.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Art of Photography, Simon Norfolk, 2015
A quiet, ghostly image can convey meaning more powerfully than a noisy, documentary style, yet still serve as a factual record.
In simple terms: Subtle photos can be more expressive and still document truth.
Key Takeaway
Embrace subtlety while preserving factual detail.
Themes
photography
expression
documentation
subtlety
truth
Mood
contemplative
introspective
Type
artistic
documentary
When to use this quote
- gallery exhibitions
- journalistic assignments
- personal projects
Key Concepts
visual storytelling
forensic trace
aesthetic restraint
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance artistic subtlety with clear documentation?
- What contexts benefit from a quieter visual approach?
A Different Perspective
Subtlety may be overlooked by audiences seeking drama.
![“[My] pictures are about memory and forgetfulness. The evidence is dissolving. Bones crumble; human ash returns to soil; teeth, sandals, hair, bullets, axes disperse into atoms and molecules. Footprints in the snow will be erased by the next storm. The evidence of evil, like the evidence of good…” quote by Simon Norfolk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a3c/simon-norfolk-69071_ashes_my-pictures-are-about-memory-and-forgetf_262236.jpg)
