Photography today appears to be in a state of flight... The familiar is made strange, the unfamiliar grotesque. The amateur forces his Sundays into a series of unnatural poses.

One should really use the camera as though tomorrow you'd be stricken blind. To live a visual life is an enormous undertaking, practically unattainable. I have only touched it, just touched it.

I many times encountered courage, real courage. Undeniable courage. I've heard it said that that was the highest quality of the human animal. I encountered that many times, in unexpected places. And I have learned to recognize it when I see it.

Photography is a lot like telling a large predatory cat what to do-while an audience of people you can't see watches you.

I had to get my camera to register things that were more important than how poor they were--their pride, their strength, their spirit.

The words that come direct from the people are the greatest.If you substitute one out of your own vocabulary, it disappears before your eyes.

A documentary photograph is not a factual photograph.