I wanted to travel from the beginning. As a kid, I used to dream about airplanes, before I ever flew in one. Mary Ellen Mark airplanebegindream Change image and share on social
Every photograph is the photographer's opinion about something. It's how they feel about something: what they think is horrible, tragic, funny. Mary Ellen Mark feelfunnyhorrible Change image and share on social
During prom season, I travel around the country with a 20-by-24 camera - which is logistically complicated - and photograph proms. My husband made a film of it. Mary Ellen Mark cameracomplicatecountry Change image and share on social
I'm staying with film, and with silver prints, and no Photoshop. That's the way I learned photography: You make your picture in the camera. Now, so much is made in the computer... I'm not anti-digital; I just think, for me, film works better. Mary Ellen Mark anticameracomputer share on social
I think the prom is very serious also. It's an American ritual, it's a rite of passage, and it's very much a part of this country. Mary Ellen Mark americancountrypart Change image and share on social
I just think it's important to be direct and honest with people about why you're photographing them and what you're doing. After all, you are taking some of their soul. Mary Ellen Mark directhonestimportant Change image and share on social
It's good that everyone has an opportunity to take pictures, the chance to be a photographer. Some are good, too. But the bad thing is that it's very, very difficult to take a great picture. Everyone can take a good picture - even a child - but it's hard to make a great one. Mary Ellen Mark badchancechild share on social
I love dogs. I absolutely adore them. When I'm teaching in Mexico, I rescue dogs from the streets and make my students adopt them. Mary Ellen Mark absolutelyadoptadore Change image and share on social
If I hadn't become a photographer, I would have loved to become a doctor. I would have loved to have done something that actually helped people and changed their lives. Mary Ellen Mark changedoctorhelp Change image and share on social
I could spend my whole life photographing circuses. They combine everything I'm interested in - they're ironic, poetic, and corny at the same time. There's also something about a circus that's magical, sentimental, and almost tragic, like a Fellini film. Mary Ellen Mark circuscircusecombine share on social
