Quotes by Martin Parr

About Martin Parr:

Martin Parr is a British documentary photographer, photojournalist and photobook collector. He is known for his photographic projects that take an intimate, satirical and anthropological look at aspects of modern life, in particular documenting the social classes of England, and more broadly the wealth of the Western world. His major projects have been rural communities (1975–82), The Last Resort (1983–85), The Cost of Living (1987–89), Small World (1987–94) and Common Sense (1995–99).
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

There are 65 to 70 photography galleries in New York alone. In the U.K., there are no more than five, and they're all in London.

Martin Parr

Fashion pictures show people looking glamorous. Travel pictures show a place looking at its best, nothing to do with the reality. In the cookery pages, the food always looks amazing, right? Most of the pictures we consume are propaganda.

Martin Parr

Over the years, I have perfected the art of dancing and photographing at the same time: it's a great double act. If you're dancing, you are joining in. If you stand there rigid, you are not in the flow of things.

Martin Parr

Of course, New Brighton is very shabby, very rundown, but people still go there because it's the place where you take kids out on a Sunday.

Martin Parr

When I am in London, all I do is mix with other people in the arts.

Martin Parr

I just go out and try to make sense of the world around me.

Martin Parr

The thing about tourism is that the reality of a place is quite different from the mythology of it.

Martin Parr

Taking photos is a form of collecting.

Martin Parr

I would drown in objects if I didn't have the ability to photograph them.

Martin Parr

The ability for us to laugh at ourselves is Britain's saving grace.

Martin Parr

Wealthy people have not disappeared, they are just not so willing to show off their wealth.

Martin Parr

Tourism is the biggest industry in the world.

Martin Parr

I avoid Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, and if I need to communicate with someone, I email direct.

Martin Parr

I think the ordinary is a very under-exploited aspect of our lives because it is so familiar.

Martin Parr

Part of the role of photography is to exaggerate, and that is an aspect that I have to puncture. I do that by showing the world as I really find it.

Martin Parr

My father was an obsessive bird-watcher. The genes of observation passed down.

Martin Parr

I photograph people as I find them. But people have issues about how they look.

Martin Parr

I have been photographing people dancing for 20 or 30 years now, and I think I will eventually do a book of dancing photos.

Martin Parr

Most of the photographs people take with their cameraphones are of little value in terms of documentary.

Martin Parr

I always take photographs when I attend a funeral. Most people there know who I am and expect me to be there with my camera.

Martin Parr

Author Bio

  • NameMartin Parr
  • DescriptionBritish photographer
  • BornMay 23, 1952
  • CountryUnited Kingdom
  • ProfessionPhotographer; Journalist
  • AwardsDr. Erich Salomon Prize