Mary Ellen Mark Quotes

A collection of quotes by Mary Ellen Mark.

Mary Ellen Mark (1940-2015) was an American photographer best known for her evocative and often poignant documentary images. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she developed a passion for photography at an early age and pursued it as her life's work. After studying painting and art history, she went on to earn a degree in photojournalism from the University of Pennsylvania.

Mark's work focused on capturing the raw and unfiltered reality of various social issues and marginalized communities. Her subjects ranged from street children in Seattle to prostitutes in Mumbai, revealing the human condition with empathy and insight. She had a unique ability to establish trust and build connections with her subjects, resulting in photographs that genuinely depicted their lives and experiences.

Throughout her career, Mark produced numerous photo essays and published many acclaimed books, including "Streetwise" and "Ward 81." Her work was widely exhibited and received numerous awards, cementing her reputation as one of the most influential documentary photographers of her time.

Mary Ellen Mark's powerful images continue to inspire and provoke thought, challenging viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about society. Her dedication to capturing the stories of the voiceless and marginalized remains a powerful testament to the role of photography in raising awareness and promoting social change. Mary Ellen Mark passed away in 2015, leaving behind an enduring legacy of masterful storytelling through her lens.

I wanted to travel from the beginning. As a kid, I used to d

I wanted to travel from the beginning. As a kid, I used to dream about airplanes, before I ever flew in one.

Mary Ellen Mark

Travel

I respect newspapers, but the reality is that magazine 'phot

I respect newspapers, but the reality is that magazine 'photojournalism' is finished. They want illustrations, Photoshopped pictures of movie stars.

Mary Ellen Mark

Respect

Nowadays shots are created in post-production, on computers.

Nowadays shots are created in post-production, on computers. It's not really photography.

Mary Ellen Mark

Computers

There are some people who become best friends with everyone

There are some people who become best friends with everyone they photograph. There are people that I really like and admire and respect, but in a way I think it's better to keep a distance. I think you get better pictures of people that you don't know very well.

Mary Ellen Mark

Respect