Meaning: This quote is from American photographer, Berenice Abbott, and it encapsulates her approach to photography and the importance of objectivity in her work. Berenice Abbott was a pioneering documentary photographer known for her black-and-white photographs of New York City in the 1930s, as well as her scientific images. Her dedication to capturing the reality of the world around her through the lens of objectivity and truth is reflected in this quote.

Abbott's emphasis on seeing things as they are, without bias or distortion, speaks to the heart of documentary photography. She believed in presenting the world as it is, without embellishment or alteration. This commitment to objectivity was a significant departure from the prevalent pictorialist style of photography that was popular during her early years as a photographer. Pictorialism emphasized the artistic manipulation of photographs to create a more romantic or idealized view of the world, but Abbott sought to capture the unadorned reality.

In her work, Abbott applied this commitment to objectivity to a wide range of subjects, from portraits to city streets to scientific phenomena. Her portraits were renowned for their straightforward and honest depiction of the subjects, devoid of artifice or sentimentality. When photographing city streets, she aimed to document the urban environment as it existed, showcasing the architecture, people, and everyday life without romanticizing or sugar-coating the reality. Abbott's scientific images, particularly her series "Changing New York," demonstrated her ability to capture the evolving cityscape with precision and objectivity.

Abbott's dedication to objectivity in her photography also reflected her broader philosophical stance on the nature of truth and perception. She believed that by striving to see things as they are, she could reveal the essential truths of the world and provide viewers with a genuine understanding of the subjects she photographed. This pursuit of objectivity aligned with the documentary tradition, which sought to use photography as a tool for social and cultural critique, as well as a means of preserving and presenting a truthful record of the world.

In the context of Abbott's quote, the reference to a bouncing ball signifies her commitment to capturing even the most transient or dynamic subjects with objectivity. This metaphorical representation of movement and change reflects Abbott's ability to freeze moments in time with clarity and precision, illustrating her unwavering dedication to seeing and representing the world as it truly is.

Ultimately, Berenice Abbott's quote encapsulates her unwavering commitment to objectivity in photography and her belief in the power of truthful representation. Her work continues to inspire photographers and artists to this day, serving as a testament to the enduring significance of capturing the world with honesty and clarity. Abbott's legacy as a pioneering documentary photographer and her dedication to portraying the world as it is, without distortion or bias, continue to resonate in the realm of photography and visual storytelling.