Bill Jay Quotes

#1. I was offered $100,000 for a print. Then I woke up.

Bill Jay

#2. At exhibition openings always praise the chicken for laying eggs; you can wring its neck later.

Bill Jay

#3. A photograph is a picture and no more true or false than any other depiction; why is that so hard to comprehend?

Bill Jay

#4. A photograph is a mirror; mostly it reflects the prejudices of the viewer.

Bill Jay

#5. If you take pictures does that make you an art thief?

Bill Jay

#6. When you can't think of anything else, photograph graffiti, nudes, or plants.

Bill Jay

#7. There are many reasons why photography does not attract the social and cultural attention it deserves. I would add one more which has received scant attention: it does not make a lot of noise ... Perhaps photography would be more appreciated if camera shutters fired with the sound of a .357 Magnum.

Bill Jay

#8. Think clearly, act sensibly, commit yourself to caring and work hard in order to discover joy. Then give the images back to the world from which they were taken.

Bill Jay

#9. Words of wisdom for every photographer: 'Thinking is more interesting than knowing, but less interesting than looking'. So said Goethe.

Bill Jay

#10. True, there are photographers who are failed artists, but so are most artists.

Bill Jay

#11. Photographers, like kids, should be seen and not heard.

Bill Jay

#12. Why do photographers photograph? To make unreality visible.

Bill Jay

#13. Advice to artists: always take the opportunity to shut up.

Bill Jay

#14. I appreciate photographs which celebrate harmony. I don't particularly want to look at chaos. I see enough of that at home.

Bill Jay

#15. The subject, the thing itself, is the genesis of all types of photography.

Bill Jay

#16. Asked for your opinion on the prints, you have two choices: truth or tact. I ask for the bathroom.

Bill Jay

#17. If you cannot think of anything to say that is useful or enlightening about your images, then don't say anything. There are plenty of other people who would love to put words in your mouth.

Bill Jay

#18. Only in art can you make something that no one wants and still be considered successful.

Bill Jay

#19. Evolution in action: First, God said, 'Let there be light.' Then, he created two nude models. Now we have photographers.

Bill Jay

#20. I'd like my coffin to be a camera obscura so I can see what's going on outside.

Bill Jay

#21. My point is that meaning is always personal, changeable and subjective. There is no 'correct' interpretation of a photograph.

Bill Jay

#22. Ask photographers to write and they have nothing to say; ask them to talk about their work and they won't shut up.

Bill Jay

#23. Photography opens your eyes a little wider to the world around you.

Bill Jay

#24. The best way for photographers to become rich and famous is to go into another field.

Bill Jay

#25. Museum collections have given photography rigor, and mortis.

Bill Jay

#26. If you are bored with your own photography you are really bored with what you are photographing, so pick a new subject about which you are knowledgeable and enthusiastic.

Bill Jay

#27. I agree, intellectualism in photography is overrated. I just wish it could be replaced by common sense.

Bill Jay

#28. Photographers have already photographed everything too many times, except cheese.

Bill Jay

#29. I talk a lot about photography. It's cheap becuase my supply always exceeds demand.

Bill Jay

#30. If it is not an interesting picture when in focus, it is not going to be a better picture out of focus.

Bill Jay

#31. If you are intent on drawing or painting on your prints, you must first learn to draw and paint at least as well as you photograph.

Bill Jay

#32. Discussions allow photographers to shuffle their prejudices

Bill Jay

#33. But there are times when thinking is misplaced, like when taking photographs. You cannot think your way to making photographs; you can photograph your way to clearer thinking.

Bill Jay

#34. A few photographers make a killing; the rest can't make a living.

Bill Jay

#35. I start a lot of photo projects but never seem to ...

Bill Jay

#36. Predators and prey always coexist. That's why we have galleries as well as photographers.

Bill Jay