David Alan Harvey Photographs of Elkton, MD in NG

[phil_kneen]

That's very kind John,Thankyou.

The thing I like about this forum is there isn't a group of people

who stick together to massage each others egos.Everyone flames

everyone!I could say that my camera is black and I know that at least

1 person would disagree.

 

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My 'photo-exchange'project may not have seemed like a sound plan to

some,but plans have been made and airline tickets have been payed

for.It has been in the pipeline for months,I didn't just wake up one

day last week and think "I have an idea,think I'll post it on the

Leica forum".

I would also like to add that a few of my posts have been placed

by 'another Phil Kneen'if you get my drift.I work all day and as I

have said to someone privately-I look forward to getting home to see

what my 'alter-ego'has written.If you do need proof I was in the back

of a police van for 2 days last week.........

[henri_cartier_bresson]

Well, Dave, if you're pleased with those snaps then I suggest you

need a long rest. You're capable of far better.

[nesrani]

Sure I'd go to one of your exhibits, David. I just hope you wouldn't

be showing that snap of the blurry car and the lightpost, or the

woman in red against the wall, that's all!

[dlegaspi]

<p><i>Try to accept that I disagree with you on this one.</i></p>

<p>to each his own, i guess. ok, we'll leave it as that.</p>

[steve12]

All of this to prove what we've all known for a long time; once the

press tells the public that you are good/talented, you are.

Submitted as examples; Brittany Spears, Any Warhol, Julia Roberts,

Geraldo Rivera.

 

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Harvey can produce crap just like the rest of us. Just because he

can produce quality as well, and works for NG doesn't change that.

 

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What about Steve McCurry? Takes the picture of the Afghan girl and

now everything he touches some people think is life fulfilling.

 

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(As an aside on McCurry I saw on NG Explorer a few weeks back a

segment on him scurrying around New York right after 9/11. One scene

had him photographing in a Mosque. The Mosque leaders each had a

copy of the NG with the picture of the girl on the cover. Can you

believe this guy? 14 years after that issue and he still hands it

out to gain access. Must be tough to have your best stuff long

behind you. But no tears from me, he's well paid for everything he

does which proves my initial point.)

[alfie wang]

Hey there. Don't insult Julia Roberts. I like her a lot and to put

her in the category with Britney Spears is horrific. I enjoyed Pretty

Woman and Ocean's Eleven.

 

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About Steve McCurry I can partially agree. But at least, he's not

complaining about his lifestyle. If he can evoke emotion in lots of

people that's a good thing I believe.

[jason_gold]

One thing I noted in this "I HATE DAH" tirade is lack of

intimacy,fresh viewpoints and lack of various films.The pictures are

close-up and personal.Sit and study them.I have purchased used NGS,

torn the pictures out and placed them on a wall.I se the whole layout

as well.I've done it for a few DAH stories.His work is stunning.

True I too like most of you,use the Leica box.I am amazed at his

composition,the angles,the feeling you are there!Why should he have

different colors because of different films?...

My photographs published and appreciated worlwide BUT not in the

league of DAH also lack impact!!!Thats what you dislike.

They the images are timeless.You can look at them over and over.

I find new things all the time.

I have learnt by studying photos,not the "tech data".Try feel where he

stood,his position,the light,and finally the moment of push the

button.Stop thinking like the advertisers trying to sell more lenses.

I know from teaching,the ZOOM,is possibly one of the worst things a

photographer with limited experience can purchase.There is never a

real Viewpoint.

Ease up and try it for yourself.One lens,one body for a couple of

months...its real fun.I can take my rig anywhere.I use the 50mm

mostly.Occasionally the 135mm.Thats about as long as I can really hold

steady.

Anyway gave me insight to why I work the way I do....I enjoyed all the

fire and storm.Its healthy.

[nesrani]

Jason, believe me, I have tried the one lens thing for extended

periods of time (6 months with the 50, 2 months with the 24) and for

me it doesn't work. I need the change of rhythm and that's something

I don't see in DAH's work very much. For me, it's the 24 and the 35.

 

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Personally I have no opinion on the film he uses or anything else. I

look at his pictures and I think they often fail to meet the high

standards I'd expect of such a celebrated photographer. When he's

good he's very very good. But not always. This recent set of pictures

bears this out, to me at least. I think they're lazy and

uninteresting, with the exception of the wedding fever picture.

 

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As for DAH smacking me in the face because I don't like his snaps

sometimes as another poster suggested, do you really think he cares

what an unknown like me thinks of his pictures? I doubt it!

[Robin Smith]

Well I think his photos are perfectly OK, but nothing thrilling. I do

feel that I probably could have done this pretty well like him under

these circumstances. That is OK, even superb photographerss cannot

make great pictures if there are not any. Perhaps he could have got

closer,used different film or used faster film or flash more

effectively, but who knows, we were not there to see what

opportunities it presented (or lacked). I think it is a bit hard to

call them "crap". I am sure Harvey would never consider these his

best work, but then I suspect this subject hardly inspired him either.

[thomas_nutter]

As a press photographer, I think Harvey had the same problem I

often have when I go on an assignment.......lots of times you've

got to get in and out in ten minutes. Harvey is a great photog and

obviously he didn't spend a whole lot of time in Elkton, MD.

Another consideration might be for the picture editing here. Was

he present for that, or was he on his way back to cuba? These

photos are not the best work of Harvey or the Magazine, but

sometimes goodenough has to do.

[halldor_thormar]

Hmmm...

 

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I think the NG staff messed it up a bit. I do not believe he used

flash, 1/15 and f:1.4 for every single one of these pictures. The

depth of field is too much for f:1.4 and there are no evidence of

flash in some of the pics.

[john_j]

Lots of nitwits in this thread. No, being the only literate doesn't

necessarily make you a great writer, but the illiterates aren't in a

position to judge it either way. As for the particular nitwit that

referred to the "uberwide," Harvey uses a 35mm 90% of the time.

[lee guthrie]

I have found this thread a few years late but DAH has been a good teacher, mentor, and has

helped me to transform as a photographer. He has such talent and he can teach you without

saying a word. His approach to photography and editing is excellent. Yea! David, you are

with the best.