Duane Michals

Duane Michals is a renowned American photographer and author, best known for his innovative approach to narrative photography. Born in 1932 in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, he began taking photographs during a trip to Russia in 1958, a journey that sparked his lifelong artistic journey. Unlike traditional photographers of his time, Michals challenged the norms by incorporating handwritten text and sequencing in his images, blending visual storytelling with poetic and philosophical reflections.

Throughout his career, Duane Michals has authored several influential books that combine photography with prose, such as “The Journey of the Spirit After Death” and “The House I Once Called Home.” His works often explore themes of identity, mortality, love, and the metaphysical—delving deep into human emotion and experience. As both a visual artist and a writer, Michals has remained steadfast in rejecting conventional rules, forging a deeply personal and conceptual path in contemporary art.

Some of Duane Michals’ most compelling quotes reflect his creative philosophy. One of his well-known sayings is: “Trust that little voice in your head that says ‘Wouldn’t it be interesting if…’ And then do it.” He also asserted, “I believe in the imagination. What I cannot see is infinitely more important than what I can see.” These quotes exemplify Michals’ belief in intuition, imagination, and the invisible layers of meaning that art can reveal.