Imogen Cunningham Quotes

The photographer's most important and likewise most difficult task is not learning to manage his camera, or to develop, or to print. It is learning to see photographically — that is, learning to see his subject matter in terms of the capacities of his tools and processes, so that he can instantaneously translate the elements and values in a scene before him into the photograph he wants to make.

A lot of photographers think that if they buy a better camera they'll be able to take better photographs. A better camera won't do a thing for you if you don't have anything in your head or in your heart.

It's not about knowing all the gimmicks and photo tricks. If you haven't got the eye, no program will give it to you.

The eye is the notebook of the poet.

I have been expelled from five different schools when I was a kid. And I learned basically all what I do by myself.

I learned easily and had time to follow my inclination for sports (light athletics and skiing) and chemistry, which I taught myself by reading all textbooks I could get.

I educated myself. To me, school was boring.

Music was the first thing I did where I was naturally talented.

I can zero in on subtle things because I'm holding the camera.

The Self-Educated are marked by stubborn peculiarities.

School seemed unimportant, since I learned so much more on my own.

Few have been taught to any purpose who have not been their own teachers.

There is no greater education than one that is self-driven.

I believe that whenever I want to learn something I can learn it much better and faster by myself if I'm motivated to learn it as opposed to kind of doing it in more a standard, institutionalized way.

My teachers helped guide and motivate me; but the responsibility of learning was left with me, an approach to learning which was later reinforced by my experiences at Amherst.

I learned from my parents the idea that, if you are devoted enough and you want to study something enough, you can really teach yourself anything.

Many people who excel are self-taught.

I don't actually have a lot of discipline. I've worked hard at music. But I feel like you know, I felt like kind of natural at it. I always had a knack for it.

It's far better to shoot a good picture than a good-looking picture.

I've always felt like an artistic person. I can't draw or paint or sculpt. I never really had technical skills, but I've always felt like I appreciate really beautiful things, and part of taking a good photograph is being able to recognize beauty.

I think all photographers fit their vision to their personality.

I believe that in the pursuit of education, individual desire is more influential than institution, and personal faith more forceful than faculty.

I like to learn on my own.

I think a lot of people have grown up with the idea that they can't learn things themselves. They think they need an institution to provide them with knowledge and teach them how to do things. I couldn't disagree more.

When you're so used to operating the camera, it's an extension of your eye and your heart and your head.