The truth is the best picture, the best propaganda.

Meaning of the quote

The quote means that the most honest and accurate depiction of reality is the most powerful and effective way to share information or persuade people. Photographer Robert Capa believed that showing the true facts about a situation, without any bias or manipulation, can be more influential than trying to shape people's opinions through propaganda or misleading images.

About Robert Capa

Robert Capa, a Hungarian-American war photographer and photojournalist, is considered by some to be the greatest combat and adventure photographer in history. He covered five major wars, including the Spanish Civil War, World War II, and the First Indochina War, and was awarded the Medal of Freedom for his work documenting World War II. Capa co-founded the influential Magnum Photos cooperative agency in Paris.

More about the author

More quotes from Robert Capa

The war correspondent has his stake – his life – in his own hands, and he can put it on this horse or that horse, or he can put it back in his pocket at the very last minute.

Robert Capa

American photographer

The truth is the best picture, the best propaganda.

Robert Capa

American photographer

It’s not always easy to stand aside and be unable to do anything except record the sufferings around one.

Robert Capa

American photographer

I hope to stay unemployed as a war photographer till the end of my life.

Robert Capa

American photographer

This war is like an actress who is getting old. It is less and less photogenic and more and more dangerous.

Robert Capa

American photographer

If your pictures aren’t good enough, you aren’t close enough.

Robert Capa

American photographer

For a war correspondent to miss an invasion is like refusing a date with Lana Turner.

Robert Capa

American photographer

I would say that the war correspondent gets more drinks, more girls, better pay, and greater freedom than the soldier, but at this stage of the game, having the freedom to choose his spot and being allowed to be a coward and not be executed for it is his torture.

Robert Capa

American photographer

In a war, you must hate somebody or love somebody; you must have a position or you cannot stand what goes on.

Robert Capa

American photographer

It’s not enough to have talent, you also have to be Hungarian.

Robert Capa

American photographer

The pictures are there, and you just take them.

Robert Capa

American photographer

I am a gambler. I decided to go in with Company E in the first wave.

Robert Capa

American photographer