Comments on: Inside the Harvest Photographs

By: Laurie Ferri

Laurie Ferri — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:16:44 +0000

Thanks for the input, David. I have rented the 70-200mm f2.8 IS Canon lens and it works really well. It is expensive, but I think for portraits and sports it would make a great lens. I think for sports, a monopod might make it more manageable. I do think that I need (that words seems to creep up a lot!) a camera that can support higher ISOs with less grain. I do some indoor portraits and I find that anything higher then ISO 400 is somewhat noisy. Yes, I have noise reduction on Aperture and CS4, but I’d rather have the best photo I can before editing. So, i”m looking at the Canon 7D; heard anything about it? I know it was just released. I enjoy reading your blog. Thanks for putting it out there.

By: David

David — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:16:31 +0000

@Laurie Ferri – I think it’s all a matter of compromise. You need to determine what you want the lens for and what you want the images to look like. Do you need a longer focal length? Do you need it to be lighter? Do you need it to be cheaper? Faster? The 70-200 comes in 4 versions, I believe – so even there you’ve got choice – do you need an f/2.8 or an f/4.0, do you need Image Stabilizer or not?

For your stated needs i think the 70-200/2.8L IS would be amazing. But it’s heavy and expensive – that’s the payoff for amazing. I wouldn’t trade mine for something lighter, I love it too much. Be sure to get into a shop or even rent the lens before you buy it. Often just playing with it can take the magic out of it and make you see that it’s not as good (or possibly better) than you initially though or hoped.

By: David

David — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:11:42 +0000

@Todd Senge – Thanks for the honesty. I don’t know I ever claimed “awesome” status for them. The point was that I was trying something new for myself, trying to express something in a way I don’t normally do. They do that for me and for that reason alone I like them. Every photographer needs to listen to his critics, but at the end of the day we need first to create the work that resonates with ourselves, critics be damned.

In the future, however, why not just stick to one comment about how much my images fall short? More than one begins to feel you’ve got an axe to grind and your point gets lost.

By: Joe L.

Joe L. — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:44:54 +0000

One point not made before – I hope the system I have already invested in (start with N) cranks out a f/4 L equivalent series of zooms =\ tried out the 17-40, very very useful for fun mucking around =]

but then again, you can do that with any gear. for now, it’s the kid in me and those fuji 800 iso waterproof disposable cameras!

By: DT

DT — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:47:50 +0000

David,
I think your message is bang on. We often get told about preventing the pixels from extending beyond the shadow and highlights, but like most things, that message is a guide not a rule.
You definitely created mood and I felt I was right there. Terrific stuff.
Dave.

By: Todd Senge

Todd Senge — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 05:21:54 +0000

David: I think you are a great teacher and inspirer. However, I have to comment that your photographs are less inspiring. If you look at Steve McCurry, Bob Holmes, Bob Krist, Nevada Wier, David Alan Harvey and so many more… these images you just showed do not hold up. I hesitated writing this because you get so many accolades but I just have to say that your images are just “okay”. I am not any better but a critic can have an eye for excellence without being a virtuoso. There is so little intimacy in your images. They just seem to be good travel snaps. However, your writing is great. And, I look forward to that. Todd

By: Laurie Ferri

Laurie Ferri — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 03:58:04 +0000

I have a Canon Rebel XTi (I’m hoping to upgrade before long to the 7D). I have a 17-85 f/4 and a 70-300mm f4 lenses. When thinking about lenses how do you decide from all the different options out there what lens works best? I do a lot of portraits, candids and sports. The 70-200mm f2.8 was recommended. If I get every lens that looks good, I’d need a Uhaul to carry my gear around. Thanks.

By: Jack

Jack — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:42:03 +0000

“Kick-about” – I wish that I could bring myself to use my best camera the same way that I do it’s predecessor. The next time I upgrade, it will get used the way that it should always have been used. What’s fascinating is how long that kick-about works just fine (I almost said, “perfectly”) regardless of how I use it.
You are right, “perfection” is way, way overrated. People who are obsessed with perfection rarely take risks. And if you are not taking risks, you probably are not growing all that much.

By: David

David — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:51:04 +0000

@Styrmir – Well in reality it’s 3 books in 2 years because I had a year to write Within The Frame before it came out. But yes, the next two were a bit fast. Fortunately I write quickly and enjoy it and as my real passion is international photography, this gives me something to do when I am at home – for which my wife is immensely grateful. And then there’s all that time on planes, in airports and hotels…

But like I said, I’ll slow down and give you all a chance to read these things while I take a breather, and go refresh myself before writing Book The Fourth.

By: Styrmir Kári

Styrmir Kári — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:37:03 +0000

“Perfection is over-rated and seldom touches the heart.” – well put sir!
And a Lightroom book sounds good. But 3 books in 12 months? Do you have any time to shoot pictures?

And thanks for another great blogpost! Keep’em coming!