"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
About this Quote
Robert Mapplethorpe was a renowned American photographer known for his controversial pictures. In this quote, Mapplethorpe is conveying the special nature of photography as a medium. Unlike other art forms, photography needs the artist to capture an exact moment in time, and then proceed to the next. It is a process that requires a lot of energy and focus on little information, as the photographer must thoroughly make up the shot and make certain whatever remains in order. By 'zeroing in', the artist can record an unique minute or a specific detail that would have been missed otherwise. Mapplethorpe's quote highlights the significance of attention and focus in photography.
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