I was a passionate photographer, and for a while somewhat guiltily. I thought it was a substitute for something else -- well, for writing, for one thing. I wanted to write. But I became very engaged with all the things there were to be had out of the camera, and became very compulsive about it. it was a real drive. Particularly when the lighting was right, you couldn't keep me in...

I suppose I thought photographing was a minor thing to be doing. And I guess I thought I ought to be writing. In Paris, I had been trying to write. But in writing I felt blocked - mostly by my high standards. Writing's a very daring thing to do. I'd done a lot of reading, and I knew what writing was. But shy young men are seldom daring.

- walker evans