"Whether he is an artist or not, the photographer is a joyous sensualist, for the simple reason that the eye traffics in feelings, not in thoughts"
About this Quote
Walker Evans' quote "Whether he is an artist or not, the professional photographer is a jubilant sensualist, for the easy reason that the eye traffics in feelings, not in thoughts" provides an extensive point of view on the nature of photography and perception. At its core, the quote suggests that the essence of photography transcends the realm of intellectual analysis and resides more carefully in the domain of emotion and sensuous experience. According to Evans, despite whether a photographer is deemed an "artist", their craft inherently involves a level of sensitivity to the sensory and emotional aspects of life.
The term "joyous sensualist" insinuates that photographers derive a specific pleasure from recording images, an activity that engages their senses and emotions more than their intellect. This delight originates from the act of seeing-- the main tool of their trade-- and the way they engage with the world through their lens. Photography ends up being an act of immersing oneself in the instant, concrete reality, stripping away preconceived notions or meditative ideas that might otherwise dominate artistic creation. In this view, photography is less about conceptual or reasonable expression and more about the visceral reaction to life as seen through the cam.
Evans highlights that "the eye traffics in feelings, not in thoughts", suggesting that what we aesthetically view first prompts an emotional response rather than a thought-out interpretation. The eye records moments, textures, lights, and shadows, evoking sensations that can vary from fond memories to wonder, happiness to melancholy. Consequently, these instant, unfiltered actions direct professional photographers to create engaging imagery and deal viewers a website into shared psychological experiences.
Overall, Walker Evans poignantly catches the idea that photography, while frequently analyzed through the lens of technical ability or creative merit, is essentially a psychological exploration. It is an art type grounded in the satisfaction of seeing and the capability to communicate the delicacy and vigor of human emotion.