Quotes by Michael Kenna

Michael Kenna

Approaching subject matter to photograph is like meeting a person and beginning a conversation. How does one know ahead of time where that will lead, what the subject matter will be, how intimate it will become, how long the potential relationship will last? Certainly, a sense of curiosity and a willingness to be patient to allow the subject matter to reveal itself are important elements in this process.

Curiosity

Important

Long

As a landscape photographer we should be open to possibilities, for one thing often leads to another.

Landscape

Photographer

Possibility

Beauty is very much in the mind of the beholder.

Beholder

Mind

Craft is important, but cameras for their own sake are not. A sense of aesthetics, a connection with the subject matter, an enquiring and an inquisitive mind, these factors outweigh whatever equipment we use.

Cameras

Important

Mind

Different assignments, different places, require different approaches. Sometimes I take minutes in a location, at other times days. There are many places that I have returned to over several years. When I photograph, I look for some sort of resonance, connection, spark of recognition.

Connections

Different

Years

Easier is not necessarily better.

Easier

Essentially, I look for what is interesting to me, out there in the three-dimensional world, and translate or interpret so that it becomes visually pleasing in a two-dimensional photographic print. I search for subject matter with visual patterns, interesting abstractions and graphic compositions.

Interesting

Looks

Two

Everybody now has a camera, whether it is a professional instrument or just part of a phone. Landscape photography is a pastime enjoyed by more and more. Getting it right is not an issue. It is difficult to make a mistake with the sophisticated technology we now have. Making a personal and creative image is a far greater challenge.

Mistake

Photography

Technology

For me, the subtlety of black and white inspires the imagination of the individual viewer to complete the picture in the mind’s eye. It doesn’t attempt to compete with the outside world. I believe it is calmer and gentler than colour, and persists longer in our visual memory.

Believe

Eye

Memories

For me, this is one of the advantages of not using digital, I never know when I have a good photograph! I practice doubt as a way to push myself into alternative compositions by selective focus, different speeds of exposure, and unusual perspectives.

Focus

Perspective

Practice

Follow The Behaviour University in order to get the greatest quotes from the greatest people of all time so that you can tap into your own greatness.

Advice

Answers

Art

Artist

Atmosphere

Beholder

Believe

Benefits

Black And White

Brave

Broken

Cameras

Careers

Choices

Connections

Covering

Curiosity

Cutting

Decision

Details

Different

Digital

Doubt

Easier

Effort

Empathy

Essence

Eye

Fire

Firsts

Focus

Forever

Garden

Giants

Given

Giving

Goal

Golden

Gone

Humble

Identity

Important

Impossible

Interesting

Interpretation

Journey

Landscape

Letting Go

Long

Looks

The Future Blueprint

Tool

The Home Therapist: Anti Anxiety

Tool

The Autobiography

Tool

The Behaviour Diary

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The Dating Diary

Tool

The Relationship Therapist

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Quotes by Michael Kenna

Michael Kenna

As a landscape photographer we should be open to possibilities, for one thing often leads to another.

Beauty is very much in the mind of the beholder.

Craft is important, but cameras for their own sake are not. A sense of aesthetics, a connection with the subject matter, an enquiring and an inquisitive mind, these factors outweigh whatever equipment we use.

Different assignments, different places, require different approaches. Sometimes I take minutes in a location, at other times days. There are many places that I have returned to over several years. When I photograph, I look for some sort of resonance, connection, spark of recognition.

Easier is not necessarily better.

Essentially, I look for what is interesting to me, out there in the three-dimensional world, and translate or interpret so that it becomes visually pleasing in a two-dimensional photographic print. I search for subject matter with visual patterns, interesting abstractions and graphic compositions.

For me, the subtlety of black and white inspires the imagination of the individual viewer to complete the picture in the mind’s eye. It doesn’t attempt to compete with the outside world. I believe it is calmer and gentler than colour, and persists longer in our visual memory.

For me, this is one of the advantages of not using digital, I never know when I have a good photograph! I practice doubt as a way to push myself into alternative compositions by selective focus, different speeds of exposure, and unusual perspectives.

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The Future Blueprint

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