Welcome to a collection of profound insights and timeless wisdom from one of the most iconic figures in the world of fashion photography – Peter Lindbergh. With a career spanning decades, Lindbergh left an indelible mark on the industry, reshaping perceptions of beauty and authenticity through his lens. Renowned for his ability to capture raw emotions and the true essence of his subjects, Lindbergh’s work transcended mere fashion photography, earning him the title of a visionary artist.
Through his captivating imagery and evocative compositions, Lindbergh challenged conventional standards of beauty, opting instead to celebrate individuality and inner strength. His unique approach emphasized the human experience, inviting viewers to connect with the stories behind the faces captured in his frames. From timeless black and white portraits to striking editorial spreads, Lindbergh’s portfolio continues to inspire generations of photographers and creatives worldwide, shaping the landscape of fashion photography as we know it today.
Below, you’ll find a curated selection of Peter Lindbergh’s most profound quotes, offering glimpses into his creative process, philosophy, and the profound insights he gained throughout his illustrious career. These words serve as a testament to his enduring legacy and the profound impact he has had on the world of art and fashion.
A lot of mainstream photographers seem not to think about what they’re doing or feel any responsibility toward anything. By the time they’re done, the models don’t have any trace of themselves left. This thing about looking young with no wrinkles or expression is all so boring, really. Peter Lindbergh
Fashion photographers are the new painters. Peter Lindbergh
The photographer, even in fashion and portraiture, has to have a standpoint. It’s important to know what you stand for, no? Most people just take pictures, but they stand for nothing. They follow trends and don’t know why. Peter Lindbergh
I show elements of the set in my pictures because it’s not real. When I see movies, I often love the ‘making of’ more than the movie itself. It’s not so final. When you have a woman just standing there, it doesn’t mean much. Peter Lindbergh
Although humans see reality in colour, for me, black and white has always been connected to the image’s deeper truth, to its most hidden meaning. Peter Lindbergh
Now there is this whole terror about getting old. Today, that fascination with youth is overrated. What’s so special about being young? I just say that because I’m old. Peter Lindbergh
I was never so attracted to the glamorous world. That never impressed me. Peter Lindbergh
My brother had fabulous children before I had children and for some reason I wanted to photograph them, and that was when I got my first camera. Children have something totally unconscious about them. That’s how I learned. Peter Lindbergh
I realized that I’ve worked quite independent from the fast-changing trends over all these years. Peter Lindbergh
I would love to photograph Angelina Jolie. Peter Lindbergh
Talent is more important than nice body parts. Peter Lindbergh
Heartless retouching should not be the chosen tool to represent women in the beginning of this century. Peter Lindbergh
When I start thinking about a story, I don’t start by thinking about the fashion, but about who I want to photograph and what the story should be about. Peter Lindbergh
When I started, art photography, like that of Andreas Gursky, and Thomas Struth, didn’t exist. Peter Lindbergh
I wouldn’t have lasted two minutes as a designer. Peter Lindbergh
Fashion photography should say something about the stability of a certain time you live in or what kind of women you like. The most interesting thing is not what they’re wearing but who they are. Peter Lindbergh
I’m firmly convinced that true beauty only springs from the acceptance of oneself, from an awareness of who we really are. Peter Lindbergh
The most important part of fashion photography, for me, is not the models; it’s not the clothes. It’s that you are responsible for defining what a woman today is. That, I think, is my job. Peter Lindbergh
I have not taken inspiration from the fashion shows. I don’t even really go to too many of the fashion shows – and have not for 15 years – because I don’t want to be inspired by the same things as everyone else. If everyone is inspired by the same things, then of course, you all do the same pictures. Peter Lindbergh
I don’t feel like a fashion person. I don’t even have a little earring somewhere. Peter Lindbergh
People think that it is important to learn by assisting the great photographers. I say that is a big mistake. Be happy; just learn from any little guy. Learn how to use the camera – you don’t need anything else. You can’t be taught the real skill anyway. Peter Lindbergh
For me, every photograph is a portrait; the clothes are just a vehicle for what I want to say. You’re photographing a relationship with the person you’re shooting; there’s an exchange, and that’s what that picture is. Peter Lindbergh
The idea of beauty today is a bloody mess. It’s really awful. You look in the fashion magazines and see all of these retouched people. Some guys called retouchers go on the computer and take away everything that you are and then call it photography. I think it’s such an insult. Peter Lindbergh
I thought fashion was just the pretext to do images with lots of freedom and get them published in magazines. You could express your point of view, make statements about women and about what you believe in. Peter Lindbergh
In 1990, when they asked me to shoot a cover for ‘British Vogue’ to convey my personal vision of a woman, I explained that I couldn’t just photograph one single girl, because what I was looking for was a new purpose, and new feminine determination. Peter Lindbergh
These days, photographers have expensive contracts with actresses, but then the actresses have to have their names written in the column because nobody recognizes them. That’s kind of strange. Peter Lindbergh
In the beginning of my twenties, I started transcendental meditation. For years, I did nothing else. Every holiday, I went to courses. Meditation is a real simple instrument. You don’t need a long beard or a sari. It’s meant to bring you to yourself. It’s as easy as that. Peter Lindbergh
You cannot say that one woman is ‘more beautiful’ than another, though people always do. It’s so ridiculous to say that. Peter Lindbergh
With the indiscriminate touching-up of photos, we’ve grown accustomed to seeing personalities drained of all their humanity, yet we consider them as real. Peter Lindbergh
Women must be freed from the idea that they always have to stay young and that they must disfigure themselves at a certain age. Peter Lindbergh
I have been meditating for 40 years. It makes it a bit easier to know who you are. Peter Lindbergh
There’s something else that makes a woman interesting, something beyond being young or being old. And I’m going to find out what that something else is before I die, I hope. Peter Lindbergh
Duisburg was the worst industrial, depressive part of Germany. But it was great. We had nothing, but I didn’t miss nothing so that was fine. Peter Lindbergh
I go out very rarely in Paris. If it’s a fashion party at a nightclub, I wouldn’t dream to go. People come to you for your work, not because you go to all their parties. Peter Lindbergh
People often say, ‘You don’t go to fashion shows? What kind of photographer are you? What the hell is the wrong with you, man?’ But that’s what I need in order to be who I am. Peter Lindbergh
I don’t retouch anything. Peter Lindbergh
Fashion is about change, don’t you think? Peter Lindbergh
You know, as photographers, we do pictures, and people either like them or they hate them. Peter Lindbergh
If photographers are responsible for creating or reflecting an image of women in society, then, I must say, there is only one way for the future, and this is to define women as strong and independent. This should be the responsibility of photographers today: to free women, and finally everyone, from the terror of youth and perfection. Peter Lindbergh
If you’re just a follower, you never know why you are doing something. Then you can’t know if something is good or not. How would you know that what you thought is right, if you didn’t think it? Peter Lindbergh
You can only really invent something if you connect yourself to the real world – whatever that means. Peter Lindbergh
Photography gives you the opportunity to use your sensibility and everything you are to say something about and be part of the world around you. In this way, you might discover who you are, and with a little luck, you might discover something much larger than yourself. Peter Lindbergh
To go somewhere where nobody knows you, and to keep your eyes open… That was a beautiful concept in terms of putting yourself in a place to be inspired. Peter Lindbergh
I’ve never been impressed by somebody who came in with a crocodile bag, you know? Peter Lindbergh
My first obsession was actually sports. I was a very good handball goalkeeper. With special permission, I played in the premier league in Germany before I was even old enough. Peter Lindbergh
