Edward Steichen Quotes

A collection of quotes by Edward Steichen.

Edward Steichen (1879-1973) was a prominent American photographer, painter, and art gallery director. Born in Luxembourg in 1879, Steichen immigrated to the United States as a child and settled in Michigan with his family. He developed a passion for photography in his early years and quickly made a name for himself in the medium.

Steichen initially gained recognition as a talented painter and was one of the first to experiment with the medium of photography as an art form. His mastery of light and composition transformed photography into a respected form of artistic expression. Steichen's work encompassed a wide range of subjects including landscapes, portraiture, fashion, and war photography.

During his career, Steichen collaborated with various publications, notably Vanity Fair and Vogue, where he created iconic fashion photography. He also gained acclaim for his wartime photographs during both World War I and World War II, capturing the human experience and the devastating impact of conflict.

In addition to his artistic pursuits, Steichen made significant contributions to the art world as a gallery director. He curated groundbreaking exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and dedicated himself to promoting and showcasing emerging artists.

Edward Steichen's legacy endures through his profound impact on the art world and his pioneering contributions to photography as an art form. His groundbreaking work continues to inspire and influence photographers and artists around the world.

When that shutter clicks, anything else that can be done aft

When that shutter clicks, anything else that can be done afterward is not worth consideration.

Edward Steichen

Art

I knew, of course, that trees and plants had roots, stems, b

I knew, of course, that trees and plants had roots, stems, bark, branches and foliage that reached up toward the light. But I was coming to realize that the real magician was light itself.

Edward Steichen

Nature

Photography is a major force in explaining man to man.

Photography is a major force in explaining man to man.

Edward Steichen

Art

Photography records the gamut of feelings written on the hum

Photography records the gamut of feelings written on the human face, the beauty of the earth and skies that man has inherited, and the wealth and confusion man has created. It is a major force in explaining man to man.

Edward Steichen

Photography

Every other artist begins with a blank canvas, a piece of pa

Every other artist begins with a blank canvas, a piece of paper the photographer begins with the finished product.

Edward Steichen

Art

The use of the term art medium is, to say the least, mislead

The use of the term art medium is, to say the least, misleading, for it is the artist that creates a work of art not the medium. It is the artist in photography that gives form to content by a distillation of ideas, thought, experience, insight and understanding.

Edward Steichen

Photography

There is only one optimist. He has been here since man has b

There is only one optimist. He has been here since man has been on this earth, and that is man himself. If we hadn't had such a magnificent optimism to carry us through all these things, we wouldn't be here. We have survived it on our optimism.

Edward Steichen

Opportunity