Quote by famous photographer on being an amateur -

[mporter012]

I read a quote the other day by a famous photographer and I cannot for the life of me find it online. It went something like this -

''...i wish to stay an amateur, i reject all forms of professional fakeness.... blah blah blah''

Damn I can't find this anywhere. It was a wonderful quote though.

Does this ring a bell!?

 

[removed-user-1]

This isn't real close, but does it sound right?

"Every professional should remain always in his heart an amateur." - Alfred Eisenstaedt

 

[removed account4]

sorry for being no help but
the only thing that comes to mind is:
" sure i like kids, if they're properly cooked" wc fields

 

[batwister]

Elliott Erwitt is notable for insisting he's an amateur. And he's always saying pithy things! Probably him.

"I am a professional photographer by trade and an amateur photographer by vocation." etc.

 

[mporter012]

haha, no those aren't it. I shall find it yet -

 

[winger]

The attitude of it sounds a little like Weston to me (I just read the daybooks). He did portraits for pay, but he really didn't like it and I think that's what was considered "professional" in those days.

 

[ooze]

Kertesz?

"I am an amateur," photographer André Kertész said in 1930, five years after he had left his native Hungary for Paris. "And I intend to stay that way for the rest of my life." In 1961, a year before Kertész retired from what he described as eleven "lost years" working as a magazine photographer on contract to Condé Nast, Kertész reiterated his declaration. "I still regard myself as an amateur today and I hope that's what I'll stay until the end of my life. Because I'm forever a beginner who discovers the world again and again."

http://www.photoeye.com/magazine/reviews/2011/05_20_Andr_Kertsz.cfm

 

[Mr Bill]

Per ooze's quote, sound like it may have been Kertesz. But I can't pass a chance to bring up one of my favorites. I believe it was Elliot Erwitt, the quote was something along these lines, "It's about time we start getting serious about photography, and treat it as a hobby!"

 

[Yamaotoko]

I've been listening to Jeff Curto's 'History Of Photography' classes, he makes a very interesting (maybe even enlightening?) observation on the origins of the term 'Amateur' in the photographic world... #3 (I think) in the 2013 spring class

 

[Mark Fisher]

I remember talking to a professional woodworker and he said he was a bit jealous of amateurs. They can spend as much time as they want on a project until they are happy with it and are free to experiment and switch styles. Sounds like a parallel to the art world.

 

[jovo]

I was certain that Imogene Cunningham had famously quoted about preferring to be an amateur, but I can't find it on line. Still...I think it was she. :confused:

 

[Gerald C Koch]

sorry for being no help but
the only thing that comes to mind is:
" sure i like kids, if they're properly cooked" wc fields

To expand on this a woman once said to Fields

"It is obvious Mr Fields that you don't like children."

To which he is said to reply waggling his cigar

"Nonsense my good woman, parboiled and in a good sauce they are always delicious."

Fields supposed dislike was part of his stage persona. In real life he left part of his estate to found an orphanage. What he did not like was appearing in a scene with a child actror who he said would always steal the scene.

 

[mporter012]

It may be Kertesz - but it was the not quote mentioned. I will attempt to find it today! In the quote I'm looking for, he makes a stab at professionals....or professionalism....

 

[mporter012]

I found it! Here it is.

"I am an amateur and I intend to stay that way for the rest of my life. I reject all forms of professional cleverness or virtuosity.... As soon as I have found the image that interests me, I leave it to the lens to record it faithfully. Look at reporters, amateurs - both of whose sole aim is to gather a memory or a document; that is.pure photography." Kertz, 1930

This a quote at the front of the self titled book "Andre Kertesz"

 

[spijker]

Try www.photoquotes.com. A search for "amateur" returns 7 pages with quotes.

 

[batwister]

"I am an amateur and I intend to stay that way for the rest of my life. I reject all forms of professional cleverness or virtuosity.... As soon as I have found the image that interests me, I leave it to the lens to record it faithfully. Look at reporters, amateurs - both of whose sole aim is to gather a memory or a document; that is.pure photography." Kertz, 1930

Best understood in its historical context, it's a reaction against the dying 'scientist as photographer' idea of his era. It's not really applicable today, since now we're up in arms about accessibility of the medium - and in turn amateurism. His term 'professional cleverness' for example would get you laughed out of many a room. Be careful to whom you recite this quote!

 

[mporter012]

Very interesting to consider the context of when/why he said this and the current Instagram is photography age we're now in.