"My mind is vacant on names, but I know him as well as anything. When I need names they drop out of my head; when I don't need them they drop back"

This quote by Imogen Cunningham speaks with the power of memory as well as exactly how it can be unreliable. She recognizes that she understands somebody along with anything, however when it pertains to recalling their name, her mind is uninhabited. This suggests that her memory of the person is more than just their name, however rather a deeper understanding of who they are. It also indicates that her memory is discerning, as she can remember the name when she requires it, however it leaves of her head when she doesn't. This can be taken a metaphor for just how our memories can be short lived and unreliable, as well as just how we can only remember particular details when we need them. It additionally speaks to the power of our subconscious, as we can remember things without proactively attempting to. Ultimately, this quote is a pointer of the power of memory and exactly how it can be both helpful and unreliable.