Photographers tend not to photograph what they canโt see, which is the very reason one should try to attempt it. Otherwise weโre going to go on forever just photographing more faces and more rooms and more places. Photography has to transcend description. It has to go beyond description to bring insight into the subject, or reveal the subject, not as it looks, but how does it feel?
Duane MichalsI think photographers are too polite. There is not enough anger in photography; it's pretty much trivialized.
Duane MichalsI still find doing portraits a terrific challenge, but even though I've done hundreds of them, I've never stopped questioning the very nature of portraiture because it deals exclusively with appearances. I've never believed people are what they look like and think it's impossible to really know what people are.
Duane MichalsTrust that little voice in your head that says 'Wouldn't it be interesting if...'; And then do it.
Duane MichalsThen all at once in late August's heat, tall leafless stalks crowned with iridescent pink and purple blossoms burst from the purgatory in the earth. This arcane act of nature, though perceived by us as ordinary, is a manifestation of Maya's phantom play, the great immensity expressed in every way. My garden is the universe. I am the universe. I am my garden. All things are the same.
Duane Michals