Keith Carter Quotes

Photographer
USA
1958

Keith Carter is an American photographer known for his evocative images of the rural South and its people. His work has been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions, including at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Carter’s work has been published in several books, including From Uncertain to Blue, Hold Still, and Keith Carter Photographs. He has received numerous awards, including the Texas Medal of Arts, the Lucie Award for Outstanding Achievement in Fine Art Photography, and the Texas Institute of Letters Award.Read Less

The full weight and mystery of your art rests upon your relationship to your subject matter. Feraz Zeid, January 13, 2024, Keith Carter, Art, Weight, 0

- Keith Carter

Photographer

· USA

Art
Weight

The raw materials of photography are light and time and memory. Feraz Zeid, January 13, 2024, Keith Carter, Light, Memories, Photography, 0

- Keith Carter

Photographer

· USA

You are lucky if you have one or two epiphanies in your life, particularly a creative one. Feraz Zeid, January 13, 2024, Keith Carter, Creative, Photography, 0

- Keith Carter

Photographer

· USA

I want to be made better personally. That is the gig. Feraz Zeid, June 17, 2023, Keith Carter, Photography, 0

- Keith Carter

Photographer

· USA

Photography

Your ideas come out of the way you conduct your life. Feraz Zeid, August 17, 2023, Keith Carter, Ideas, Photography, 0

- Keith Carter

Photographer

· USA

Career Highlights

Carter’s career as a photographer spans over five decades, during which he has published 14 books and exhibited his work in over 100 solo exhibitions.
In 1999, he was awarded the Texas Medal of Arts for his contributions to the field of photography.
In 2009, he received the prestigious Texas Artist of the Year award from the Texas Commission on the Arts.
In 2015, he was inducted into the Texas Institute of Letters, an honor society that recognizes outstanding literary achievements.
In 2019, he was named the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society for Photographic Education.

Key Contributions

Carter’s photographs are known for their dreamlike quality and often feature subjects such as animals, children, and landscapes.
He has a unique ability to capture the essence of his subjects, whether it be a person or a place, and convey a sense of mystery and wonder through his images.
His work has been described as “magical realism” and has been compared to the works of writers such as Gabriel Garcia Marquez and William Faulkner.
Carter’s photographs have been featured in numerous publications, including National Geographic, Time, and Newsweek, and have been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world.

What Sets Them Apart

One of the key elements that sets Keith Carter apart from other photographers is his use of alternative and historical photographic processes. He often uses techniques such as cyanotype, platinum printing, and wet plate collodion to create his images, giving them a timeless and ethereal quality.
Carter’s photographs also stand out for their emotional depth and storytelling ability. He has a keen eye for capturing the human experience and his images often evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing.
Another aspect that sets Carter apart is his dedication to teaching and mentoring young photographers. He has been a professor at Lamar University for over 40 years and has inspired countless students to pursue their passion for photography.

Takeaways

Keith Carter’s career is a testament to the power of perseverance and dedication. Despite facing challenges and setbacks, he has continued to create and share his unique vision with the world.
His work serves as a reminder that photography is not just about capturing a moment in time, but also about creating a connection with the subject and the viewer.
Carter’s use of alternative processes and his ability to tell stories through his images can inspire photographers to think outside the box and push the boundaries of traditional photography.
His commitment to teaching and mentoring highlights the importance of giving back to the community and passing on knowledge and skills to the next generation.