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Elliott Erwitt Quotes

Powerful Elliott Erwitt for Daily Growth

About Elliott Erwitt

Elliott Erwitt (born Elliott Erwin 1928-07-26) is an esteemed American photographer, widely recognized for his keen eye, witty perspective, and unparalleled ability to capture the ironies and absurdities of everyday life. Born in Paris, France, to Russian-Jewish immigrants, Erwitt spent his early years in Milan before moving to the United States during World War II. Growing up in Manhattan, Erwitt was exposed to the vibrant culture of New York City, which would later become a significant influence on his work. In 1949, he enrolled at Brooklyn's Samuel J. Tilden High School, where he developed a passion for photography under the guidance of teacher Alexey Brodovitch. This marked the beginning of Erwitt's professional career as a photographer. In 1953, Erwitt joined the Magnum Photos agency, founded by Robert Capa, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and George Rodger. This association introduced him to some of the most influential photographers of his time, further shaping his artistic vision. His work spans over six decades, encompassing a diverse range of subjects – from iconic celebrities, political figures, and social events to candid street scenes and unexpected moments of humor. Erwitt's major works include "Paris-London-New York" (1956), "Elliott Erwitt: Personal Photographs" (1970), and "Submitted for Your Approval" (1984). His iconic images, such as the "Dogs Playing Poker" series and the Marilyn Monroe photograph of her standing over a subway grate, have become timeless representations of American culture. Throughout his illustrious career, Erwitt has received numerous accolades, including four Guggenheim Fellowships, an Honorary Doctorate from the Corcoran College of Art and Design, and the Centenary Medal from the Royal Photographic Society. His work continues to inspire generations of photographers and is celebrated around the world for its unique blend of humor, humanity, and poignant social commentary.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and affection of children — to me, this is the ultimate success in life."

This quote suggests that a successful life should be marked by frequent laughter, admiration from intelligent individuals, and affection from children. In essence, it conveys that true fulfillment lies not just in material achievements or status, but in maintaining a positive, joyful demeanor, earning respect from peers, and being capable of connecting with diverse age groups – especially children who represent innocence and sincerity.

"Photography is an immediate reaction, drawn from the particular place you're in, but also a reflecting reaction over a period of time."

This quote highlights that photography is not just a spontaneous act at the moment, but it also involves reflection and thought over time. The photographer captures an image based on their immediate surroundings, yet the true meaning or impact of the photograph may only be fully realized with time as they reflect upon it. This duality emphasizes the importance of both instinctive reaction and contemplative consideration in the art of photography.

"Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter."

This quote by Elliott Erwitt suggests a serendipitous, almost divine alignment between the photographer and the perfect moment to capture an image. It implies that sometimes, we are in the right place at the right time, not just due to our skill or planning, but because of some greater, unseen force guiding us. It speaks to the notion that great photography can be a result of being attuned to the world around us and being open to the unexpected.

"The more pictures taken, the less important each one becomes. Or maybe it's the other way around."

This quote by Elliott Erwitt suggests that as we take more photographs, each individual image may seem less significant due to their increased quantity. However, the paradox is that the accumulation of these seemingly lesser photos might in fact become more important collectively, as they together tell a story or create a body of work that holds significance.

"I'd rather take new pictures than make old ones bigger."

This quote emphasizes a preference for creating fresh, innovative work over expanding upon existing projects. For photographer Elliott Erwitt, growth and progress in his craft lie in capturing new moments, rather than simply enhancing or enlarging previously taken images. It is a testament to the importance of creativity, curiosity, and the pursuit of novel experiences in artistic endeavors.

I'm an amateur photographer, apart from being a professional one, and I think maybe my amateur pictures are the better ones.

- Elliott Erwitt

Think, Maybe, I Think, Amateur

I'll always be an amateur photographer.

- Elliott Erwitt

Photographer, Always, Amateur

To me, photography is an art of observation. It's about finding something interesting in an ordinary place... I've found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.

- Elliott Erwitt

Art, Observation, About, Photography

Photography is pretty simple stuff. You just react to what you see, and take many, many pictures.

- Elliott Erwitt

See, Pretty, Take, Photography

It's almost embarrassing, but I do have one trick for taking portraits on commission. I carry one of these little bicycle horns in my pocket, and once in a while, when someone is sour-faced or stiff, I blow my horn. It sort of shatters the barriers. It's silly, but it works.

- Elliott Erwitt

Bicycle, Works, Almost, Horn

I don't really have a favorite camera. I use a Leica and Canon a lot. It depends, especially professionally, on the requirements. But my carry-around camera is a Leica.

- Elliott Erwitt

Depends, Requirements, Use, Canon

Be sure to take the lens cap off before photographing.

- Elliott Erwitt

Cap, Sure, Take, Lens

I enjoy nothing more than spending time with my loved ones, young and old, and at least once a year we get together for a formal family photograph.

- Elliott Erwitt

Young, Year, Loved Ones, Together

The most awful museums are in China. They have magnificent stuff on display and just the worst way of displaying it. They just don't spend money on lighting and installation.

- Elliott Erwitt

Magnificent, Display, Awful, Displaying

Somehow Photoshop and the ease with which one can produce an image has degraded the quality of photography in general.

- Elliott Erwitt

Ease, Image, Which, Photoshop

I like museums in Berlin a lot, especially in the eastern part. They're extraordinarily good.

- Elliott Erwitt

Museums, Lot, Eastern, Extraordinarily

I've been around so long, most editors think I'm dead.

- Elliott Erwitt

Think, Been, Most, Editors

When I get up in the morning I brush my teeth and go about my business, and if I am going anywhere interesting I take my camera along.

- Elliott Erwitt

Business, Going, Brush, Camera

Everybody's got to do something... I'd been on my own since an early age and I thought I better find something to do to buy biscuits and stuff. From high school onwards I was earning my way with photography, one way or another, working in darkrooms and taking pictures of weddings, neighbors' children and so on.

- Elliott Erwitt

Thought, Been, Everybody, Early Age

Most photographers work best alone, myself included.

- Elliott Erwitt

Alone, Most, Photographers, Included

Now very often events are set up for photographers... The weddings are orchestrated about the photographers taking the picture, because if it hasn't been photographed it doesn't really exist.

- Elliott Erwitt

Been, Very, Set, Taking

The advantage of taking pictures of the famous is that they get published.

- Elliott Erwitt

Famous, Get, Advantage, Published

You can find pictures anywhere. It's simply a matter of noticing things and organizing them. You just have to care about what's around you and have a concern with humanity and the human comedy.

- Elliott Erwitt

Comedy, About, Them, Noticing

I appreciate simplicity, true beauty that lasts over time, and a little wit and eclecticism that make life more fun.

- Elliott Erwitt

Over, Wit, Lasts, Fun

In those simpler days, you could just take pictures of movie stars and show them the way they were, as normal human beings. And if I felt part of any movement at the time, it was just to do that - to be journalistic and photograph what is, rather than what is made up.

- Elliott Erwitt

Movie, Rather, Journalistic, Simpler

The ratio of successful shots is one in God-knows-how-many. Sometimes you'll get several in one contact sheet, and sometimes it's none for days. But as long as you go on taking pictures, you're likely to get a good one at some point.

- Elliott Erwitt

Sometimes, Some, Likely, Ratio

Covering a historic event is perfectly legitimate. It's not sneaking into somebody's boudoir... These people belong to history, and not to record that if you have the opportunity would be wrong.

- Elliott Erwitt

Belong, Historic, Covering, Legitimate

Making books is a very specific kind of activity. It's not really a collection of your best pictures - although it is - but it's also a way of presenting your work so that it's not repetitive, so that it flows, and so that it makes sense in a book.

- Elliott Erwitt

Activity, Making, Very, Repetitive

Professionally I've evolved with what's required, but the pictures I do for pleasure haven't changed, except for the cars in the background, the clothing. I haven't changed at all.

- Elliott Erwitt

Pleasure, Evolved, Required, Clothing

My life has been quite interesting professionally.

- Elliott Erwitt

My Life, Interesting, Been, Professionally

If your subjects are eternal... they'll survive.

- Elliott Erwitt

Survive, Your, Eternal, Subjects

The thing is that when you don't carry a camera, that's when you see pictures in particular, or at least that's when you think you see pictures in particular. When you do carry it, if you do see one on the occasion that you do, you can take it.

- Elliott Erwitt

Think, Occasion, Least, Pictures

All of my marriages lasted seven years.

- Elliott Erwitt

Seven, Years, Marriages, Lasted

I'm not a serious photographer like many of my contemporaries. That is to say, I am serious about not being serious.

- Elliott Erwitt

Say, Like, About, Photographer

My 'work' is about seeing not about ideas.

- Elliott Erwitt

Work, Ideas, About, Seeing

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