The book, Why Photography, is a collection of quotations from several hundred well-known and respected photographers. I wanted the actual thoughts and statements direct from that photographer. Not second-hand accounts or third-party conjectures

Why photography? Why does anyone do, anything? Why. A simple word with a complex meaning. Further, Why Photography is an implied simple question that potentially leads to even more complex answers. It could be asking why someone relinquished one passion to pursue photography. Or, it could be asking why one does photography in the first place, their motivation, their reason to get up in the morning and decide to take photographs.

As the title suggests Why Photography is also a statement. Fundamentally, it could be expounding the philosophical motivation, a psychological reasoning, or an economic decision to do photography. Or maybe, it is an informative statement why one takes a photograph of this or that, it might even explain why one makes a photograph this way.

Why Photography will attempt to address some of these “why’s” - or at least provide a range of reasons. Mostly though, Why Photography will provide a sliver of personal motivation behind each of the inspiring photographers in this book.

A photography book without photographs. Seeing with one's mind and heart. Why Photography.

Carl Hartt