The meaning of quality in photography's best pictures lies written in the language of vision. That language is learned by chance, not system.

Color tends to corrupt photography and absolute color corrupts it absolutely. Consider the way color film usually renders blue sky, green foliage, lipstick red, and the kiddies' playsuit. These are four simple words which must be whispered: color photography is vulgar.

It is the way to educate your eye and more. Stare, pry, listen, eavesdrop.

I used to try to figure out precisely what I was seeing all the time, until I discovered that I didn't need to. If the thing is true, why there it is.

You see, a document has use, whereas art is really useless. Therefore art is never a document, although it can adopt that style.

Leaving aside the mysteries and the inequities of human talent, brains, taste, and reputations, the matter of art in photography may come down to this: it is the capture and projection of the delights of seeing; it is the defining of observation full and felt.

Stare, pry, listen, eavesdrop. Die knowing something. You are not here long.