"I don't know why my pictures come out looking so good. I just don't get it"

Robert Mapplethorpe's quote reflects his humbleness and surprise at the success of his photography. He is revealing his disbelief that his photos come out looking so good, despite his absence of understanding of why this holds true. This might be translated as a sign of his modesty, as he is not taking credit for his work, however rather attributing it to some unidentified factor. It could also be seen as a sign of his commitment to his craft, as he is still attempting to understand why his photos come out so well, despite his success. His quote is a tip that success does not come quickly, which hard work and dedication are necessary to accomplish it. It is likewise a pointer that in some cases, success can come from unanticipated places, and that it is important to remain humble and available to new ideas and possibilities.