To me, photography is 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.
The whole point of taking pictures is so that you don’t have to explain things with words.
After following the crowd for a while, I’d then go 180 degrees in the exact opposite direction. It always worked for me.
I like things that have to do with what is real, elegant, well presented and without excessive style. In other words, just fine observation.
Color is descriptive. Black and white is interpretive.
Most photographers work best alone, myself included.
I like to think I keep my mind open. When I walk the streets I don’t look for anything in particular. I come from a philosophy that believes you shouldn’t have preconceived notions – that you don’t need a gimmick. That you should just photograph what you react to – what you see.
The main thing is to study pictures and stop listening to the pontifictaions of photographers. Photographers aren’t oracles of wisdom. If they’re good photographers, then take a good look at their pictures – what else do you need?
All the technique in the world doesn’t compensate for the inability to notice.
Good photography is not about Zone Printing or any other Ansel Adams nonsense. It’s just about seeing. You either see or you don’t see. The rest is academic. Photography is simply a function of noticing things. Nothing more.
Photography is pretty simple stuff. You just react to what you see, and take many, many pictures.
I’m not a serious photographer like many of my contemporaries. That is to say, I am serious about not being serious.
A picture should be looked at – not talked about.
I appreciate simplicity, true beauty that lasts over time, and a little wit and eclecticism that make life more fun.
The work I care about is terribly simple. I observe. I try to entertain. But above all I want my pictures to be emotional. Little else interests me in photography.
Photoshop is useful in many ways but must NEVER be used for the altering of photographs. My assistants and my agency do whatever Photoshop work for me that may be required as it is too complicated for my brain.
I don’t like explosions. I don’t mind progress. But digital photography has made every man, woman, child and chimpanzee a photographer of sorts and consequently has numbed down the general quality of photographs.
It’s about reacting to what you see, hopefully without preconception. You can find pictures anywhere. It’s simply a matter of noticing things and organising them. You just have to care about what’s around you and have a concern with humanity and the human comedy.
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.