Ruth Bernhard
Ruth Bernhard
Ruth Bernhardwas a German-born American photographer...
NationalityGerman
ProfessionPhotographer
Date of Birth14 October 1905
CountryGermany
printer prints spent time
I was a very, very careful printer when I used 8-by-10 film. I probably spent more time on printing than anything else. The more the prints were appreciated, the more time I spent on them.
endorse image reverence timeless woman
To raise, to elevate, to endorse with timeless reverence the image of woman has been my mission.
photography target timeless
Woman has been the target of much that is sordid and cheap, especially in photography. To raise, to elevate, to endorse with timeless reverence the image of woman, has been my mission.
anywhere artists famous knew natural quite seemed
When I was young, anywhere I would go in Germany, I would see my father's posters. Everyone knew about him. And he had many friends who were artists who were also quite famous. So, for me, it seemed very natural to be an artist and be known.
architecture close francisco ideal naturally oceans refresh san
To me... San Francisco is an ideal city, intellectually stimulating and naturally beautiful. The oceans and forests are close enough to refresh the spirit; the architecture is always exciting.
catch early learned models
I learned early on that if I was to get attention, I would have to be charming. Even the models I've photographed are often like that. Some of them are not beautiful. But, if you catch them in the right light, they glow.
allowed happened less life pursue pursued sort supposed
I allowed life to give me presents. And everything just sort of happened the way it was supposed to happen. I did not pursue anything. It more or less pursued me.
dominating ideal indicate mass proportion sculptural
To indicate the ideal proportion and reveal sculptural mass and the dominating spirit is my goal.
life
Seeing comes from the inside, from the heart, from life's experiences.
emphasis form magic
My quest, through the magic of light and shadow, is to isolate, to simplify, and to give emphasis to form with the greatest clarity.
It seems a perfectly normal thing to be 95.
beauty chosen exploited form
If I have chosen the female form in particular, it is because beauty has been debased and exploited in our sensual 20th century.
beauty
I've always photographed beauty, but I've never been beautiful myself.
careful snapshot using
I'm no snapshot artist. I make very careful choices always, even if I'm using a 35mm camera.