Robert Doisneau Quotes

Powerful Robert Doisneau for Daily Growth

About Robert Doisneau

Robert Doisneau (1912-1990), a renowned French photographer, was born on April 14, 1912, in Gentilly, near Paris. His passion for photography emerged at an early age, when he received his first camera as a gift from his father. However, Doisneau initially pursued a career in painting before finding his true calling in photography. Influenced by the Surrealist movement of the 1930s and artists like Man Ray, Brassaï, and André Kertész, Doisneau's work was marked by a unique blend of reality and fantasy. He started his professional career in 1934 as an apprentice at a Parisian photo studio, where he honed his skills. During World War II, Doisneau served in the French Resistance, an experience that deeply affected his perspective on life and influenced his photography. Post-war, he joined the Magnum Photos agency, which provided him with opportunities to travel extensively. Doisneau is best known for his captivating street photography, particularly his iconic image "Le baiser de l'hôtel de ville" (The Kiss by the Hôtel de Ville), a spontaneous shot of a couple kissing on the streets of Paris that became a symbol of love and romance. Other notable works include "La Jeune Fille à la Fenêtre," "Les Amoureux sur Pont des Arts," and "Dans le Metro." Throughout his career, Doisneau received numerous awards, including the Grand Prix National de la Photographie in 1968. His work has been exhibited worldwide and continues to inspire photographers today. Robert Doisneau passed away on April 1, 1990, leaving behind a legacy that encapsulates the beauty, romance, and essence of Parisian life.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"To me, photography is the simultaneous recognition, in a fraction of a second, of the significance of an event."

This quote suggests that photography is more than just capturing moments; it's about perceiving the profound meaning or importance of a situation within a split second. It emphasizes the photographer's ability to swiftly discern the essence or impact of a scene, encapsulating it in a single image for others to ponder and appreciate.


"Photography is not a thing you do, it's a way you see life."

This quote by Robert Doisneau suggests that photography isn't merely an act or skill, but rather a unique perspective or mode of perception. It implies that photographers don't just capture images; they experience and interpret the world around them differently, finding beauty, significance, and stories in everyday scenes. This approach to life can lead to a deeper appreciation and understanding of the world, fostering empathy and connection with others.


"The world is a beautiful place, and it will be our pleasure to live in it."

This quote by Robert Doisneau suggests an optimistic view of life, where the beauty of the world is not just something to admire, but also something to actively engage with and enjoy. It encourages a sense of appreciation for our surroundings and invites us to embrace and make the most of our existence on this planet. In essence, it's a call to live fully, cherishing each moment as a pleasure in itself.


"The landscape of the soul is more important than the landscape of the eye."

Robert Doisneau's quote emphasizes that the inner world, or one's personality, emotions, and thoughts, holds greater significance than the physical surroundings we see with our eyes. It suggests that understanding and exploring one's own soul is a more valuable pursuit than focusing solely on external landscapes or appearances. This insight encourages introspection and personal growth, implying that the true beauty and depth in life lies within ourselves rather than just in what we can observe around us.


"Photography deals exquisitely with appearances, but nothing is what it appears to be."

This quote by Robert Doisneau suggests that while photography captures and emphasizes surface-level aspects of its subjects, the true essence or reality often lies beneath. It implies that the world as we see it through our lenses may not always reflect the complexities, truths, or deeper meanings hidden within objects or people. Essentially, he is reminding us to look beyond appearances and seek the depth and complexity of life.


The marvels of daily life are exciting; no movie director can arrange the unexpected that you find in the street.

- Robert Doisneau

Daily Life, Movie, Director

A hundredth of a second here, a hundredth of a second there - even if you put them end to end, they still only add up to one, two, perhaps three seconds, snatched from eternity.

- Robert Doisneau

Here, Eternity, Add, Seconds

Nowadays people's visual imagination is so much more sophisticated, so much more developed, particularly in young people, that now you can make an image which just slightly suggests something, they can make of it what they will.

- Robert Doisneau

Image, Which, Slightly, Nowadays

Chance is the one thing you can't buy. You have to pay for it and you have to pay for it with your life, spending a lot of time, you pay for it with time, not the wasting of time but the spending of time.

- Robert Doisneau

Chance, Buy, One Thing, Wasting

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