Manuel Rivera-Ortiz quotes

Manuel Rivera-Ortiz is an American photographer recognized for his powerful documentary work focused on social issues. His images capture the lives and struggles of people in marginalized communities around the world. He uses his art to raise awareness and inspire change through visual storytelling. Here are 18 of his quotes:

When I am in India I gravitate to the poor and forgotten; in the fields I love photographing the workers who eek out a living and a little bit of food from the earth. All of this has everything to do with this area, as Western New York has many people working in the fields as migrant families. (Manuel Rivera-Ortiz)
Showing poverty is such a large part of my work because another thing that I am finding is that for me personally, doing this work helps me in trying to come to grips with my own upbringing and all that occurred during that time. Basically, this work to me is a sort of time for reflection, a pseudo inventory of "this is your life," a way to try to accept the concept of what was so inevitable. View quote
Manuel Rivera-Ortiz
The sooner we begin this process of healing as people, all people, the sooner we can begin to live a mutual life free from innuendo, hurt, judgment and need. View quote
Manuel Rivera-Ortiz
If we as people can remember this much from seeing one of my shows, then we are already well on the way toward progress in my opinion. View quote
Manuel Rivera-Ortiz
The amount of time it takes to provide is threefold for families whom have to make due with very little. View quote
Manuel Rivera-Ortiz
I too do not ever pretend operate in a vacuum. This work is done on all of our behalf. View quote
Manuel Rivera-Ortiz
This is a very important lesson for those who propagate such narrow minded universally accepted inaccuracies about poverty. View quote
Manuel Rivera-Ortiz
The people I gravitate to are neither rich nor popular. They do not have the power to boost or end careers at the flick of a pen; nor do they own fancy things or drive fancy cars. View quote
Manuel Rivera-Ortiz
They cry themselves to sleep at night from hunger. View quote
Manuel Rivera-Ortiz
There can never be too many of us doing this type of work ... The work that we do is necessary beyond accolades or honors. In fact, to do it for accolades or honors alone is criminal. View quote
Manuel Rivera-Ortiz
My question here is why do we humans keep doing this to each other or to ourselves? Why do we think so little about the role of humanity and of kindness? (Manuel Rivera-Ortiz)
We are a bit spoiled here no matter how much money we have or don't have. View quote
Manuel Rivera-Ortiz
I don't need them to tell me what it feels like to be poor ... I already know how this feels, how it smells and how it tastes! When I talk to them ... I want them to tell me about their hopes and aspirations, about their dreams... View quote
Manuel Rivera-Ortiz
I make images of the living for the living. I try to celebrate life. View quote
Manuel Rivera-Ortiz
I don't need them to tell me what it feels like to be poor ... I already know how this feels, how it smells and how it tastes! When I talk to them ... I want them to tell me about their hopes and aspirations, about their dreams... about the road ahead and how they imagine it will shape up out in front of them to make the dreaming and hoping come true. I ask them about assistance, about the health, and about their families near or far. View quote
Manuel Rivera-Ortiz
I make images of the living for the living. I try to celebrate life. Iconic photographer Dorothea Lange, once said ‘I too have come to lend my voice to those least able to have a voice of their own.' I agree. View quote
Manuel Rivera-Ortiz
The amount of time it takes to provide is threefold for families whom have to make due with very little. ... Children from poor households learn to have very low expectations of themselves and their future because they believe that the world around them doesn't expect much from them either. In India, children of the lower castes are taught still today that once poor always poor so they don't think to become doctors or lawyers because their last name may not be Gupta or whatever other typically higher caste name there may be in India. View quote
Manuel Rivera-Ortiz
Manuel Rivera-Ortiz's Cuba series, is like a cinema verité journey, through a landscape both accessible and mythic. His panoramas capture a connection to an environment that prods the senses. One feels enveloped by a familiar, primal place. It is this place which will hopefully anchor a vibrant social order, as it braces itself for the tremors gathering momentum on the horizon. The engaging photograph of two little girls holding each other, surrounded by lush vegetation, workers and family members speak to the continuity and bonds of love and vision of one's own paradise. View quote
Manuel Rivera-Ortiz

Manuel Rivera-Ortiz

Manuel Rivera-Ortiz - Image
Occupation: American Photographer
Born: December 23, 1968
Quotes count: 18
Wikipedia: Manuel Rivera-Ortiz