I never prepare a speech. I never think when I give a speech, except for "don't embarrass yourself or others," meaning "remember the names of the people you have to thank."

Black and White is essentially an abstract way to interpret and transform what one might refer to as reality. My purpose in taking photographs over the past forty years has ultimately been about defining myself. It has been fundamentally a psychological and existential journey.

Life on the planet and in our galaxy is so complex, I don't hope to have any substantial effect in it, but if I can touch a few people deep in their psyche, by making my personal subjective journey concrete for others, then I am very happy.

Nothing is staged. And nothing is already there. Everything is transformed through the camera.

I never think about a photo before I start it. I try to let my mind relax, and then when I get there I do it.

If an artist is one who spends his life trying to define his being, I guess I would have to call myself an artist.

In the end, I believe that the most important influence on my aesthetic has been the photographs I have taken.