When I first went to 'National Geographic,' I thought I was the least qualified person to step through the doors. But because of my parents and the culture of continual learning they imposed on us, I later came to believe I was the most qualified person who ever worked there. Sam Abell continualculturedoor share on social
I wanted life to be episodic. I wanted to be a magazine photographer and I was willing to do what it took to become that. Sam Abell episodiclifemagazine Change image and share on social
My best work is often almost unconscious and occurs ahead of my ability to understand it. Sam Abell abilityaheadoccur Change image and share on social
Life rarely presents fully finished photographs. An image evolves, often from a single strand of visual interest - a distant horizon, a moment of light, a held expression. Sam Abell distantevolveexpression Change image and share on social
There isn't an aspect of book creation I don't enjoy, and there has always been a book in my life to dream about or work on. Sam Abell aspectbookcreation Change image and share on social
How the visual world appears is important to me. I'm always aware of the light. I'm always aware of what I would call the 'deep composition.' Photography in the field is a process of creation, of thought and technique. But ultimately, it's an act of imaginatively seeing from within yourself. Sam Abell actappearaware share on social
I think of myself as a writer who photographs. Images, for me, can be considered poems, short stories or essays. And I've always thought the best place for my photographs was inside books of my own creation. Sam Abell bookconsidercreation share on social
My dad had been an ardent amateur photographer, and he taught me to compose a photograph from the back to the front, and then populate the picture. Sam Abell amateurardentback Change image and share on social
Photography, alone of the arts, seems perfected to serve the desire humans have for a moment - this very moment - to stay. Sam Abell artdesirehuman Change image and share on social
My father taught me photography. It was his hobby, and we had a small darkroom in the fruit cellar of our basement. It was the kind of makeshift darkroom that was only dark at night. Sam Abell basementcellardark Change image and share on social