This profession [photography] is deserving of attention and respect equal to that accorded painting, literature, music and architecture.

It is all very beautiful and magical here - a quality which cannot be described. You have to live it and breathe it, let the sun bake into you.

This profession [photography] is deserving of attention and respect equal to that accorded painting, literature, music and architecture.

I am sure the next step will be the electronic image, and I hope I shall live to see it. I trust that the creative eye will continue to function, whatever technological innovations may develop.

The only things in my life that compatibly exists with this grand universe are the creative works of the human spirit.

The dismal half-baked images of the average "reportage" and "documentary" photography are self dammning... the slick manner, the slightly obscure significance, the esoteric fear of simple beauty for its own sake - I am deeply concerned with these manifestations of decay. Gene Smith's work validates my most vigorous convictions that if the documentary photographs is to be truly effective it must contain elements of art, intensity, fine craft and spirituality. All these his work contains and we may turn to his work with gratitude, appreciation and great respect.

There still is some opposition to it in some museums and art schools, but I think photography has really grown into a mature art form.