Edward Weston has been given the title of “The most influential American Photographer of the Twentieth Century” Born in 1886 in Illinois, he began taking photographs when he was given a camera by his dad at the age of 16. Renowned for his close ups of images and forms, Weston was praised by some of the most important artists of his day.
Weston’s series of monumental close-ups of seashells, peppers, and halved cabbages, brought out the rich textures of their sculpture-like forms. Weston moved to Carmel, California in 1929 and shot the first of many photographs of rocks and trees at Point Lobos, California.
In 1932 Weston became one of the founding members of Group f/64 which included Ansel Adams, Willard Van Dyke, Imogen Cunningham and Sonya Noskowiak. The group chose this name because they habitually set their lenses to that aperture to secure maximum image sharpness of both foreground and distance.
In 1936, Weston became the first photographer to receive a Guggenheim Fellowship for his groundbreaking work. Following the receipt of this fellowship Weston spent the next two years taking photographs in the West and Southwest United States with assistant and soon to be wife Charis Wilson. In 1946 he began experiencing symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and in 1948 he took his last photograph. Edward Weston had many profound quotes regarding his craft. Some are found below:
Anything that excites me for any reason, I will photograph; not searching for unusual subject matter, but making the commonplace unusual.
Edward Weston
There is nothing like a Bach fugue to remove me from a discordant moment... only Bach hold up fresh and strong after repeated playing. I can always return to Bach when the other records weary me.
Edward Weston
I see no reason for recording the obvious.
Edward Weston
Photography suits the temper of this age - of active bodies and minds. It is a perfect medium for one whose mind is teeming with ideas, imagery, for a prolific worker who would be slowed down by painting or sculpting, for one who sees quickly and acts decisively, accurately.
Edward Weston
I was extravagant in the matter of cameras - anything photographic - I had to have the best. But that was to further my work. In most things I have gone along with the plainest - or without.
Edward Weston
My own eyes are no more than scouts on a preliminary search, for the camera's eye may entirely change my idea.
Edward Weston
Now to consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravitation before going for a walk. Such rules and laws are deduced from the accomplished fact; they are the products of reflection.
Edward Weston
Photography to the amateur is recreation, to the professional it is work, and hard work too, no matter how pleasurable it may be.
Edward Weston