Robert Drew Quotes

Powerful Robert Drew for Daily Growth

About Robert Drew

Robert Drew (September 14, 1924 – March 3, 2014) was an American documentary filmmaker and pioneer of cinéma vérité, a style of non-fiction filmmaking characterized by its emphasis on observational, unobtrusive, and unscripted realities. Born in New York City, Drew grew up in affluent Westchester County, where he developed an early interest in photography. After serving as a Navy photographer during World War II, he attended Harvard University, studying under the influential documentarian John Grierson. It was during this time that Drew became inspired by French director Jean Renoir's work, particularly his film "The River," which influenced Drew's later commitment to cinéma vérité. In 1952, Drew co-founded the firm Robert Drew Associates with Richard Leacock and Albert Maysles. Together, they produced numerous groundbreaking documentaries, including "Primary" (1960), which covered the 1960 Democratic presidential primary between John F. Kennedy and Hubert Humphrey. This film is considered a foundational work of cinéma vérité and marked a significant departure from traditional documentary techniques that relied heavily on interviews and narration. Drew's other notable works include "Crisis: Behind a Presidential Commitment" (1963), which documented the Cuban Missile Crisis, and "The Unfinished Canvas" (1972), a film about abstract expressionist painter Mark Rothko. Throughout his career, Drew's work was characterized by its immersive approach to documentary filmmaking, seeking to capture the raw and unscripted realities of the subjects he documented. Robert Drew passed away in 2014, leaving behind a significant legacy in the world of documentary filmmaking. His innovative techniques have inspired generations of documentarians and continue to shape the field today.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The function of the journalist is to deliver the news, and the function of the photographer is to explain it."

This quote by Robert Drew emphasizes the complementary roles of journalism and photography in storytelling. Journalists are tasked with delivering facts and information about events or topics, while photographers provide visual context that clarifies and deepens the understanding of those facts. Together, they work to bring readers, viewers, or listeners a more comprehensive and impactful account of the news.


"Documentary film is the chronicle firsthand account of contemporary reality."

The quote suggests that documentary films are a direct, unfiltered portrayal of current events or experiences in real life. They serve as an authentic record of the world we live in, capturing moments and stories as they unfold, providing a firsthand account of reality.


"The best way to get a good picture is to take a lot of them."

This quote by Robert Drew underscores the importance of persistence and quantity in achieving quality, particularly in photography but also applicable to other creative or analytical pursuits. The message here is that taking multiple shots increases the likelihood of capturing a truly exceptional image, as each attempt offers an opportunity to learn from previous mistakes and improve one's technique. Essentially, it emphasizes the value of practice and experimentation over relying on a single attempt for success.


"When you photograph people in color, you photograph their clothes. But when you photograph people in Black and white, you photograph their souls!"

This quote suggests that black and white photography allows for a deeper, more emotional connection with the subject being photographed, as it strips away the distraction of color and focuses on the essence or "soul" of the person, rather than their physical appearance or clothing. The absence of color in an image can evoke a stronger sense of emotion and timelessness, inviting viewers to focus more intently on the subject's facial expressions, body language, and overall demeanor. This interpretation implies that black and white photography can be a powerful tool for storytelling and capturing the human experience beyond superficial characteristics.


"The camera sees more than the eye; it can register things that are invisible or imperceptible to the naked human eye."

This quote emphasizes the unique ability of a camera to perceive and capture moments, details, and phenomena that human eyes may not notice or be able to see due to limitations in perception such as wavelength, speed, or duration. By recording these 'invisible' or 'imperceptible' aspects, photography can offer insights into the world around us that our natural vision cannot provide, enhancing our understanding of reality and expanding our visual perspective.


Nonfiction filmmakers were afflicted by two problems: one technical, the other spiritual. Technically, they did not have the equipment to do the sort of work I had in mind. Spiritually, they didn't care about the work because they'd been mistrained.

- Robert Drew

Other, Been, Technical, Nonfiction

When we made 'Primary,' it was just one camera. We were trying to make ourselves inconspicuous.

- Robert Drew

Made, Just One, Were, Primary

Richard Leacock and I ran into a guy who knew how to carve up a camera, and we had him carve one up for us. We had him chop it down and change the gears from metal to plastic, which would cut down on the sound it made when it was running.

- Robert Drew

Sound, Guy, Cut, Ran

There's a wide range today of documentaries on politics. The central mass of it is made by networks, and nothing's changed.

- Robert Drew

Politics, Wide Range, Wide, Documentaries

All my films are shot on hand-held cameras. These cameras took five years to build and had to be light enough to be carried.

- Robert Drew

Carried, Films, Took, Cameras

I made four films on John F. Kennedy, filmed when he was running for office, in office, and after his death.

- Robert Drew

Death, Made, Films, Kennedy

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