Minor White
Minor White
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Minor White was an American photographer, educator, and critic. He is often referred to by his initials, M.W.
Birth and Death Dates
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Minor White was born on July 27, 1908, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. He passed away on June 24, 1976, at the age of 67, due to a heart attack.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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White was an American photographer, educator, and critic. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century.
Early Life and Background
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Minor White grew up in Minneapolis, where he developed an interest in photography at an early age. His parents encouraged his hobby, gifting him a camera when he was just 14 years old. After graduating from high school, White attended the University of Minnesota for two years before transferring to the California School of Fine Arts (now known as the San Francisco Art Institute) in 1930.
At the art institute, White studied under such notable instructors as Edward Weston and Dorothea Lange. This exposure had a profound impact on his development as an artist and played a significant role in shaping his unique vision and style.
Major Accomplishments
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Minor White's career spanned over four decades, during which he made significant contributions to the world of photography. Some of his most notable accomplishments include:
Founding the Aperture magazine: In 1952, White co-founded _Aperture_ magazine with Ansel Adams and Dorothea Lange. The magazine aimed to promote the artistic and technical aspects of photography.
Developing the Zone System: White was an early adopter and advocate for the Zone System, a technique developed by Ansel Adams that allows photographers to control the contrast in their images. White's use of this system resulted in some of his most celebrated works.
Notable Works or Actions
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Minor White is perhaps best known for his landscape photographs taken during the 1930s and 1940s. Some of his most notable works include:
"The Zone System": This series of photographs, shot over several years, showcases White's mastery of the Zone System.
"Avenue de l'Opera, Paris": Captured in 1954, this image is considered one of White's greatest achievements and a testament to his ability to evoke the essence of his subjects.
Impact and Legacy
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Minor White's influence on the world of photography cannot be overstated. He played a pivotal role in shaping the medium as we know it today and continues to inspire generations of photographers with his innovative use of light, texture, and composition.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Minor White is widely quoted and remembered for his insightful writings on photography, which have been published in various anthologies. His quotes often touch on the technical aspects of the medium while also emphasizing the importance of creativity and vision.
Quotes by Minor White
Minor White's insights on:
In putting images together I become active, and excitement is of another order – synthesis overshadows analysis.
The camera is first a means of self-discovery and a means of self-growth. The artist has one thing to say – himself.
The development of a love of medium and a responsibility for one’s own pictures is an overall goal.
There’s no particular class of photograph that I think is any better than any other class. I’m always and forever looking for the image that has spirit! I don’t give a damn how it got made.
Watching the way the current moves a blade of grass – sometimes I’ve seen that happen and it has just turned me inside out.
I have often photographed when I am not in tune with nature but the photographs look as if I had been. So I conclude that something in nature says, ‘Come and take my photograph.’ So I do, regardless of how I feel.
When you approach something to photograph it, first be still with yourself until the object of your attention affirms your presence. Then don’t leave until you have captured its essence.
Sometimes we work so fast that we don’t really understand what’s going on in front of the camera. We just kind of sense that, ‘Oh my God, it’s significant!’ and photograph impulsively while trying to get the exposure right. Exposure occupies my mind while intuition frames the images.
