A Call to Overthrow the Cult of Sharpness!

[johnastovall]

I’m getting tired of seeing in photo forums all over the net posts like this:

“Which is the sharper?” “I went through 8 before I got a sharp one.” “Should this upper left corner be sharper at f/1.4 in a 100% crop?” “How do I know if I have a sharp one?”

I’m calling for an end to this. If you don’t have something to say with the photograph all the sharpness of a KH-11 lens system won’t help.

Photography is not about sharpness. It’s about communication.

It’s time we started looking at just what we want our photographs to say not if they are sharp.

Smash the Sharp and Free Expression!

[Detonate]

Why can't I have both?

[JamesB]

I think you will be out numbered here. the measuerbators will come out in droves to flame you.

But Im with you on this, however I would like my main subject some what sharp, I dont care about the corners

James

[Detonate]

It is a sign of the times. It would be like saying I should just throw my home theater in the trash, because the movie doesn't need a large HD picture and surround sound.

To me, that BS.

We live in a time of technology, and should take full advantage of it.

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by Detonate

It is a sign of the times. It would be like saying I should just throw my home theater in the trash, because the movie doesn't need a large HD picture and surround sound.

To me, that BS.

We live in a time of technology, and should take full advantage of it.

Technology with out purpose is usless.

[mdurisseau]

Detonate...is there any real purpose to a large HD picture and surround sound except to blow big wads of cash...you can't even produce money with one of those setups, can you? I have to agree with johnastovall...anything for the sake of that anything is pointless...

[jeffkohn]

Technology with out purpose is usless.

And how did you arrive at the conclusion that any interest in technology automatically means a lack of purpose?

Detonate...is there any real purpose to a large HD picture and surround sound except to blow big wads of cash...you can't even produce money with one of those setups, can you?

Huh? Anything that doesn't produce money is pointless? I think even John might disagree with that...

[Detonate]

Originally Posted by mdurisseau

Detonate...is there any real purpose to a large HD picture and surround sound except to blow big wads of cash...

Now that is just

It's entertainment.

Do you prefer to listen to a Symphony on a crackly radio alarm clock, or in person where you can enjoy everything it has to offer.

Cheat yourself on life little pleasure if you must. But I enjoy stimulates all of my senses and living life to the fullest.

I suppose vacations are big wastes of cash as well.

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by Detonate

Now that is just

It's entertainment.

Do you prefer to listen to a Symphony on a crackly radio alarm clock, or in person where you can enjoy everything it has to offer.

Cheat yourself on life little pleasure if you must. But I enjoy stimulates all of my senses and living life to the fullest.

I suppose vacations are big wastes of cash as well.

Why not support your local Synphony and go to a live preformance?

[mdurisseau]

See next posting...

[Jake]

I hear you Jim, but there are a group of people that sharpness is all they are concern with.
Come on, corner sharpness at f/1.4? Often they are on a cropped camera anyway. These are the ones I think John is talking about. You see these people every day over at FM or dpreview.
We all want a nice sharp picture but come on! I seen people complain about the corner sharpness on a fisheye!

I'm with John here, there is so much more to a good photo then just "is it sharp?"

BTW, I think a big HD TV in good surround sound is a MUST. They are awesome!
If anyone has not watch a sporting event in HD then they are missing out., or listened to a concert in good DTS audio then they shoud not say anything about that........

[Detonate]

Originally Posted by johnastovall

Why not support your local Synphony and go to a live preformance?

I love to.

But then I also like to kick back with a full fidelity DVD-Audio disc and enjoy as close to live performance quality sound as possible while laying around in my under-roos.

[mdurisseau]

Originally Posted by jeffkohn

And how did you arrive at the conclusion that any interest in technology automatically means a lack of purpose?

Huh? Anything that doesn't produce money is pointless? I think even John might disagree with that...

I think you misunderstand...what I was trying to say is that one doesn't really need HD and surround sound to enjoy a movie...I disagree that any interest in technology automatically means a lack of purpose, but it's the application of that technology that makes it worthwhile...as for anything that doesn't produce money is pointless? That's not what I meant either...it goes back to what I was saying about the application of technology...I think there are some fundamental differences between some of us that will make this discussion difficult...

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by jeffkohn

And how did you arrive at the conclusion that any interest in technology automatically means a lack of purpose?

snipped
..

No, but one must take into account the purpose of the technology in relation to human life and expression. To blindly pursue technology without considering to what purpose it is for is madness. "...help man endure by lifting his heart..." is a greater purpose than just chasing technology.

[Detonate]

Originally Posted by thejakestir

I hear you Jim, but there are a group of people that sharpness is all they are concern with.
Come on, corner sharpness at f/1.4? Often they are on a cropped camera anyway. These are the ones I think John is talking about. You see these people every day over at FM or dpreview.
We all want a nice sharp picture but come on! I seen people complain about the corner sharpness on a fisheye!

No, I get it. But I live to play devils advocate.

My point is why shouldn't they complain? Why shouldn't they push technology to MAKE corners sharp at f1.4? We should ALWAYS strive for THE BEST. Settling for less and just accepting soft corners is not the American way.