William Mortensen Quotes

• Photography, like any other art, is a form of communication. The artist is not blowing bubbles for his own gratification, but is speaking a language, is telling somebody something.

  William Mortensen

  Photography, Art, Communication

  5 Copy quote

• Emotion may be expressed, or the utter lack of it may be expressed, but the only important fact is that of expression.

  William Mortensen

  Expression, Important, May

  William Mortensen (1937). “The Model: A Book on the Problems of Posing”

  4 Copy quote

• If tone is granted to be subjected to control, why not line also, which has equal emotional significance? And if line, why not shapes and forms? And if shapes and forms, why not allow elision or emphasis of detail? And if all these things are allowed, what becomes of the record of actuality ?... Sunk without a trace!

  William Mortensen

  Emotional, Details, Why Not

  4 Copy quote

• Thoughts and emotions cannot be photographed, despite the protestations of some mystically minded portraitists. Physical fact is ultimately the sole pictorial material.

  William Mortensen

  Facts, Emotion, Sole

  William Mortensen, George Dunham (1956). “Model”

  6 Copy quote

• Nature is an unpleasing, stupid, lumpy, blowsy wench.

  William Mortensen

  Stupid, Wenches

  William Mortensen (1937). “The Model: A Book on the Problems of Posing”

  4 Copy quote

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