The only self-consciousness in the film [Dream of Life] is anyone's natural shyness.

I wasn't familiar with Patti [Smith ]much at all. When I was asked to photograph her, my wife said, "Oh my God, Patti Smith!" So I looked at some Robert Mapplethorpe books and I recognized those pictures.

Hopefully I can inspire lots of people to learn about [Patti Smith], to read poetry or learn about William Blake or Arthur Rimbaud.

The film [Dream of Life] came together when we started editing; it was organic, it became nonlinear and it was its own animal. And I didn't want to tame it, either. I wanted it to be different. It's not your typical documentary.

When I went to Detroit, I was very naïve, actually, and I think Patti [Smith] picked up on that quite quickly.

I was making a film [Dream of Life] about Patti [Smith], but I was taking pictures, too.

I didn't do well in high school, but I took photography, and I loved being able to capture moments.