David Vestal

[Bill Pierce]

David Vestal has died. He was beyond being a good photographer. We saw each other often when I lived in NY. I missed seeing him when I moved to California. We corresponded, we exchanged pictures and every Christmas I got one of his amazing cards. But it wasn’t like spending time with him. As grumpy old men go, he was the kindest, the gentlest and the wisest.

http://www.robertmann.com/news/main.html

 

[back alley]

RIP…

i loved reading his stuff! i could relate to being grumpy but also to the joy of learning!

 

[Greg M.]

Mr. Vestal's book, The Craft Of Photography, was... and still is... THE source for me. Just brilliant. I have three copies, in case I lose one, and then might lose the spare...

I owe him everything.

Greg Mironchuk.

 

[zauhar]

Last summer he was co-teaching a printing workshop . I wanted to attend , but if was too far away. Sorry I will not have a chance to meet him, I can tell from his book that he was a wonderful guy .

Randy

 

[rhl-oregon]

Craft of Photography: one of my bibles. On the cupboard shelf by my dinner table at this moment. RIP DV

 

[ornate_wrasse]

A friend gave me The Craft of Photography. I can't begin to tell you how many times I've referred to it when learning how to develop film and make prints. It's a very well written book that has been very helpful to me.

Rest in peace.

Ellen

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

For 20 years, I've read his columns in Photo Techniques, and its predecessor publications. He didn't write about gear or technique; he wrote about art, made using the medium of photography. He was something very, very few "Photographers" (guys with a lot of money to buy cameras, and nothing more) have ever been: Vestal was an intellectual. I do not know if he had any academic degrees, I don't remember him talking about his own education, but he was one of the most learned and intelligent thinkers in the American photography world.

When Photo Techniques announced recently that they are closing down, I only thought of one thing: Where will we read David Vestal's work now? I enjoyed and learned a great deal from the magazine's technical articles when I was younger, but in recent years the only thing that kept me reading the magazine was David Vestal. I never met him, but I miss him already.

 

[rodinal]

Sad news, I also used to read his articles in Photo Techniques and his books are the crème of my technical library.
He will live in our craft as long as we continue practicing it.

 

[mdarnton]

I took a workshop with him in the early 70s. It was a pivotal event for me. He was amazing.

 

[jimrohrer]

"The Craft of Photography" and "The Art of Black-And-White Enlarging" are my go to texts and have been for years... And, he was a true artist. RIP David Vestal.

 

[Chris101]

I know it's cliche, but Vestal's passing is like the end of the Photo-
Modernist era. I will really miss reading his monthly, then bimonthly, then every now and then column.

 

[dasuess]

We are losing great photographers at an ever increasing rate. David Vestal's passing hits home for me. I have a copy of "The Craft of Photography" given to me for my birthday in 1975 by my wife. I would part with many other books, but not that one.

 

[ooze]

I'm very sorry to hear this. "The Art of BW Enlarging" has been a constant source of inspiration.

 

[charjohncarter]

In the early 70s, I had an article written by him that was on exposure, development, film speed, and printing. I think it was in Pop Photography. It was so inspiring I bought some of his books as soon as I returned to the US. I'll never forget him; he got me started being serious after a decade and a half of snapshots.

 

[Hans Berkhout]

So very sorry to hear this, thanks for letting us know. Quiet and gentle is how he shared his knowledge- of dance, painting, literature or photography.
RIP David.

 

[PMCC]

"The Craft of Photography" and "The Art of Black-And-White Enlarging" are my go to texts and have been for years... And, he was a true artist. RIP David Vestal.

Indeed, despite evolving tools and technologies, these are enduring texts and I've consulted my copies frequently over the years. I've learned a lot not just about craft but also about applicable values from reading Vestal.

 

[aoresteen]

RIP. David was one of my inspirations back in the 70's when I first became aware of him.

He will be missed.

 

[35mmdelux]

Sincere condolences

 

[shadowfox]

I've read his columns and agree with what everyone said above.
I have one of his books too.

Goodbye, Mr. Vestal.

 

[Kevcaster]

A great inspiration

A great inspiration

What ever can be said that could do justice to the importance of David Vestal to those of us who aspire to be more than camera uses. He so perfectly unstitched the mysteries of photography and presented them to us in ways that seemed natural and unforced.
His challenge always implicit in his writing was to think better and so do better. His ideas and thoughts freed us from the limitations acquired from the less rigorous opinions of the regular photographic press and at the same time presented the full challenge that is faced in acquiring truly good technique.
His pictures were quiet, questioning, beautiful and perfectly observed.
A great communicator and a great photographer. I owe him.