56 Quotes by Berenice Abbott

If a medium is representational by nature of the realistic image formed by a lens, I see no reason why we should stand on our heads to distort that function. On the contrary, we should take hold of that very quality, make use of it, and explore it to the fullest.

Photography was the medium preeminently qualified to unite art with science. Photography was born in the years which ushered in the scientific age, an offspring of both science and art.

...the art is in selecting what is worthwhile to take the trouble about...

I have yet to see a fine photograph which is not a good document.

I took to photography like a duck to water. I never wanted to do anything else. Excitement about the subject is the voltage which pushes me over the mountain of drudgery necessary to produce the final photograph.

I agree that all good photographs are documents, but I also know that all documents are certainly not good photographs. Furthermore, a good photographer does not merely document, he probes the subject, he ‘uncovers’ it …

Imagine a world without photography, one could only imagine.

I am so fascinated with this century it will help keep me alive. I'll be there until the last minute, fighting.

Photography doesn't teach you to express your emotions; it teaches you how to see.