William Mortensen Quotes

United States,
January 27, 1897 – August, 12, 1965.

William Herbert Mortensen was an American glamour photographer, primarily known for his Hollywood portraits in the 1920s-1940s in the Pictorialist style.

Thoughts and emotions cannot be photographed, despite the protestations of some mystically minded portraitists. Physical fact is ultimately the sole pictorial material.

William Mortensen
Nature is an unpleasing, stupid, lumpy, blowsy wench.

William Mortensen
- Nature
- Stupid
- Wench

If tone is granted to be subjected to control, why not line also, which has equal emotional significance? And if line, why not shapes and forms? And if shapes and forms, why not allow elision or emphasis of detail? And if all these things are allowed, what becomes of the record of actuality ?... Sunk without a trace!

William Mortensen
Emotion may be expressed, or the utter lack of it may be expressed, but the only important fact is that of expression.

William Mortensen
Photography, like any other art, is a form of communication. The artist is not blowing bubbles for his own gratification, but is speaking a language, is telling somebody something.

William Mortensen