Painterly antique camera on a wooden trunk beside curtains glowing with golden window light.

Original artwork, not a still

Ansel Adams

There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer.

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

Adams points out that a photograph involves two people. One made it, and the other is looking at it now. The picture only finishes its work when someone sees it, so the viewer takes part too.

Context reviewed

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