--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It should be the aim of every…" description: "\"It should be the aim of every photographer to make a single exposure that shows everything about the subject. I have been told that my portrait of Chur..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68a/yousuf-karsh-29647_aim_it-should-be-the-aim-of-every-photograph_795100.png" --- # It should be the aim of every photographer to make a… ![“It should be the aim of every photographer to make a single exposure that shows everything about the subject. I have been told that my portrait of Churchill is an example of this.” quote by Yousuf Karsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68a/yousuf-karsh-29647_aim_it-should-be-the-aim-of-every-photograph_795100.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68a/yousuf-karsh-29647_aim_it-should-be-the-aim-of-every-photograph_795100.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68a/yousuf-karsh-29647_aim_it-should-be-the-aim-of-every-photograph_795100.png) > “It should be the aim of every photographer to make a single exposure that shows everything about the subject. I have been told that my portrait of Churchill is an example of this.” [Yousuf Karsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yousuf-karsh/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A photographer should capture the essence of a subject in one shot, revealing all key aspects. **In simple terms:** Capture a subject’s whole essence in one photo. Key Takeaway Aim for comprehensive, decisive images. Themes photography portraiture composition Mood reflective inspired Type instructional artistic When to use this quote - studio portrait - documentary work - personal projects Key Concepts visual storytelling essence decisive moment Questions to Reflect On - How do you decide what defines a subject’s essence? - What techniques help capture everything in one exposure? A Different Perspective Complex subjects may need multiple shots for depth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Exposure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exposure/) [Painting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painting/) [Photographer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/photographer/) [Photography](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/photography/) ## Related quotes > [Your aim as a photographer is to get a picture of that person that means something. Portraits aren't fantasies; they need to tell a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-walker/your-aim-as-a-photographer-is-to-get-a-picture-of-that-person-that/) [Tim Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-walker/) > [I have a hard time standing still when people are looking at me. That's why photo shoots never work out very well. I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-mack/i-have-a-hard-time-standing-still-when-people-are-looking-at-me-that/) [Allison Mack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-mack/) > [I didn't want to pretend to be a conceptual artist that charges $10,000 for an experience. It's just not what I am. I'm a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alec-soth/i-didn-t-want-to-pretend-to-be-a-conceptual-artist-that-charges-10/) [Alec Soth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alec-soth/) > [A good photographer can make you look incredible, even when you're not feeling very sexy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-margolis/a-good-photographer-can-make-you-look-incredible-even-when-you-re-not/) [Cindy Margolis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-margolis/) > [I'd like to briefly state the accomplishment that we expect from a photographer. He must make the person being photographed forget that he has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-renger-patzsch/i-d-like-to-briefly-state-the-accomplishment-that-we-expect-from-a/) [Albert Renger-Patzsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-renger-patzsch/) > [One of the biggest mistakes a photographer can make is to look at the real world and cling to the vain hope that next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-of-the-biggest-mistakes-a-photographer-can-make-is-to-look-at-the-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When people ask how have I kept on top, I have to say with the help of every photographer, make-up artist and hairdresser I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-evangelista/when-people-ask-how-have-i-kept-on-top-i-have-to-say-with-the-help-of/) [Linda Evangelista](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-evangelista/) > [When I first started making photo pieces it wasn't with the idea of a commitment to the medium. I didn't think I would have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wegman/when-i-first-started-making-photo-pieces-it-wasn-t-with-the-idea-of-a/) [William Wegman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wegman/) > [Most people stiffen with self-consciousness when they pose for a photograph. Lighting and fine camera equipment are useless if the photographer cannot make them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippe-halsman/most-people-stiffen-with-self-consciousness-when-they-pose-for-a/) [Philippe Halsman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippe-halsman/) > [Thoughtfulness begins with seeing. My job as a photographer is to make that seeing easier. What we appreciate, what fascinates us, we will strive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mattias-klum/thoughtfulness-begins-with-seeing-my-job-as-a-photographer-is-to-make/) Mattias Klum > [One of the biggest mistakes a photographer can make is to look at the real world and cling to the vain hope that next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galen-rowell/one-of-the-biggest-mistakes-a-photographer-can-make-is-to-look-at-the/) [Galen Rowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galen-rowell/) > [You can always tell a great photographer because they make you feel super-relaxed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynne-ramsay/you-can-always-tell-a-great-photographer-because-they-make-you-feel/) [Lynne Ramsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynne-ramsay/) > [If it's a likeness, alone, it's not a success. If, through my portraits, you can come to know the subjects more meaningfully, if it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yousuf-karsh/if-it-s-a-likeness-alone-it-s-not-a-success-if-through-my-portraits/) [Yousuf Karsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yousuf-karsh/) > [The major caveat in all of comedy is that it's all instinctive. There's no true criteria. There is no right or wrong. Ultimately, often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-charles/the-major-caveat-in-all-of-comedy-is-that-it-s-all-instinctive-there/) [Larry Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-charles/) > [“The global population of Earth are involved in the following corporate government experiments: The long term effects of - 1. Nuclear bomb fallout radiation.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/the-global-population-of-earth-are-involved-in-the-following/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) ## More by Yousuf Karsh > [My personal interest in ordinary people is unlimited, but I am fascinated by the challenge of portraying true greatness adequately with my camera.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yousuf-karsh/my-personal-interest-in-ordinary-people-is-unlimited-but-i-am/) [Yousuf Karsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yousuf-karsh/) > [Within every man and woman a secret is hidden, and as a photographer it is my task to reveal it if I can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yousuf-karsh/within-every-man-and-woman-a-secret-is-hidden-and-as-a-photographer/) [Yousuf Karsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yousuf-karsh/) > [My chief joy is to photograph the great in heart, in mind, and in spirit, whether they be famous or humble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yousuf-karsh/my-chief-joy-is-to-photograph-the-great-in-heart-in-mind-and-in/) [Yousuf Karsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yousuf-karsh/) > [Character, like a photograph, develops in darkness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yousuf-karsh/character-like-a-photograph-develops-in-darkness/) [Yousuf Karsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yousuf-karsh/) > [“Character, like film, develops in darkness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yousuf-karsh/character-like-film-develops-in-darkness/) [Yousuf Karsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yousuf-karsh/) > [I've also seen that great men are often lonely. This is understandable, because they have built such high standards for themselves that they often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yousuf-karsh/i-ve-also-seen-that-great-men-are-often-lonely-this-is-understandable/) [Yousuf Karsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yousuf-karsh/) > [The trouble with photographing beautiful women is that you never get into the dark room until after they've gone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yousuf-karsh/the-trouble-with-photographing-beautiful-women-is-that-you-never-get/) [Yousuf Karsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yousuf-karsh/) > [Look and think before opening the shutter. The heart and mind are the true lens of the camera.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yousuf-karsh/look-and-think-before-opening-the-shutter-the-heart-and-mind-are-the/) [Yousuf Karsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yousuf-karsh/) > [If there is a single quality that is shared by all great men, it is vanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yousuf-karsh/if-there-is-a-single-quality-that-is-shared-by-all-great-men-it-is/) [Yousuf Karsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yousuf-karsh/) > [I have found that great people do have in common. . .an immense belief in themselves and in their mission. They also have gerat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yousuf-karsh/i-have-found-that-great-people-do-have-in-common-an-immense-belief-in/) [Yousuf Karsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yousuf-karsh/) > [I try to photograph people's spirits and thoughts. As to the soul-taking by the photographer, I don't feel I take away, but rather that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yousuf-karsh/i-try-to-photograph-people-s-spirits-and-thoughts-as-to-the-soul/) [Yousuf Karsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yousuf-karsh/) > [If it's a likeness, alone, it's not a success. If, through my portraits, you can come to know the subjects more meaningfully, if it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yousuf-karsh/if-it-s-a-likeness-alone-it-s-not-a-success-if-through-my-portraits/) [Yousuf Karsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yousuf-karsh/) > [Within every man and woman a secret is hidden, and as a photographer it is my task to reveal it if I can. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yousuf-karsh/within-every-man-and-woman-a-secret-is-hidden-and-as-a-photographer-2/) [Yousuf Karsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yousuf-karsh/) > [There is a brief moment when all there is in a man's mind and soul and spirit is reflected through his eyes, his hands,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yousuf-karsh/there-is-a-brief-moment-when-all-there-is-in-a-man-s-mind-and-soul/) [Yousuf Karsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yousuf-karsh/) > [The art is the challenge which you must meet every day: the technique you should learn to control with time. The science and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yousuf-karsh/the-art-is-the-challenge-which-you-must-meet-every-day-the-technique/) [Yousuf Karsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yousuf-karsh/) [Explore all 18 Yousuf Karsh quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yousuf-karsh/) ## More Aim quotes > [If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/if-you-aim-at-nothing-you-will-hit-it-every-time/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) > [A good aim surveys the present state of experience of pupils, and forming a tentative plan of treatment, keeps the plan constantly in view…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/a-good-aim-surveys-the-present-state-of-experience-of-pupils-and/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [The Christian man must aim at that complete obedience to God in which life finds its highest happiness, its greatest good, its perfect consummation,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barclay/the-christian-man-must-aim-at-that-complete-obedience-to-god-in-which/) [William Barclay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barclay/) > [ He \[an earnest young reporter\] seemed to share the view of many intelligent, well-educated, well-meaning people that, while adult literature may aim to be… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-paterson/he-an-earnest-young-reporter-seemed-to-share-the-view-of-many/) [Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-paterson/) > [In Bosnia, little children shot in the head by a guy who thinks it's okay to aim his gun at a child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiane-amanpour/in-bosnia-little-children-shot-in-the-head-by-a-guy-who-thinks-it-s/) [Christiane Amanpour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiane-amanpour/) > [Design certainly has a cosmetic, aesthetic aim. It always aims at making things beautiful. But relevance is just as important. I often say, 'If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yves-behar/design-certainly-has-a-cosmetic-aesthetic-aim-it-always-aims-at/) [Yves Behar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yves-behar/) > [My aim was to make money for the bank. You lose track of the amounts involved when you are engaged in this kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-kerviel/my-aim-was-to-make-money-for-the-bank-you-lose-track-of-the-amounts/) [Jerome Kerviel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-kerviel/) > [My only aim is to clock a time that everyone remembers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hima-das/my-only-aim-is-to-clock-a-time-that-everyone-remembers/) [Hima Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hima-das/) > [My main aim has always been to do good quality films with roles that have some substance. With Power and Beauty there were loads…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-henstridge/my-main-aim-has-always-been-to-do-good-quality-films-with-roles-that/) [Natasha Henstridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-henstridge/) > [ I really enjoyed it - being involved in watching rushes and playback \[in "The Invisible Woman"\]. Ralph \[Fiennes\] was very open to my input,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felicity-jones/i-really-enjoyed-it-being-involved-in-watching-rushes-and-playback-in/) [Felicity Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felicity-jones/) > [My aim is to be counted among the top players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/babar-azam/my-aim-is-to-be-counted-among-the-top-players/) [Babar Azam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/babar-azam/) > [The single aim of my life is that every child is: free to be a child, free to grow and develop, free to eat,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kailash-satyarthi/the-single-aim-of-my-life-is-that-every-child-is-free-to-be-a-child/) [Kailash Satyarthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kailash-satyarthi/) > [The aim of good prose words is to mean what they say. The aim of good poetical words is to mean what they do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/the-aim-of-good-prose-words-is-to-mean-what-they-say-the-aim-of-good/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [Prescribing hard work for the soft, or easy work for the hardy, is generally nonsense. What is always needed in any aim is right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/prescribing-hard-work-for-the-soft-or-easy-work-for-the-hardy-is/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [To be normal is the ultimate aim of the unsuccessful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/to-be-normal-is-the-ultimate-aim-of-the-unsuccessful/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) Browse all 3,047 Aim quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It should be the aim of every photographer to make a single exposure that shows everything about the subject. 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