"With photography, you zero in; you put a lot of energy into short moments, and then you go on to the next thing"

Robert Mapplethorpe's quote, "With photography, you zero in; you put a lot of energy into short moments, and then you go on to the next thing", encapsulates the ephemeral yet intense nature of photography as an art form. At its core, this declaration talks to the essence of recording fleeting moments in time with accuracy and focus. Photography demands a distinct mix of technical skill and innovative vision, requiring the photographer to focus on a particular subject within the stretch of life's ongoing narrative.

The expression "you zero in" highlights the professional photographer's task of dissecting truth, limiting the unlimited possibilities in front of the lens to recognize the moment that best communicates their desired message or evokes a wanted emotion. This act of focusing is not merely a physical modification of the video camera lens but also a psychological and emotional devotion. It needs the professional to be fully present, diligently observing the subtleties of light, shadow, composition, and the topic's essence.

Mapplethorpe underscores that much energy is invested "into brief minutes". In these blinks of life, a professional photographer can encapsulate a myriad of emotions-- delight, sadness, love, anger-- or crystallize charm and reality in a fraction of a second. It's a spiritually and creatively taxing process that requires the photographer's complete engagement and instinct.

The tail end of the quote, "and then you go on to the next thing", reflects the transient nature of both time and artistic pursuit. Once the minute is captured, it ends up being immutable in its documented type however stays simply one piece of a larger journey. Photographers continuously progress, looking for new scenes, subjects, and stories. This constant development fuels their imaginative development and keeps the artist in a state of perpetual interest and exploration.

In essence, Mapplethorpe's observation encapsulates the duality of photography-- it is about capturing singular, profound moments with intensity and function, yet also about the ruthless pursuit of new experiences, unseen charm, and untold stories.