Edward Weston

EDWARD WESTON
b. 1886 Highland Park, Illinois, d. 1958 Carmel, California
photographer
American

"To clearly express my feeling for life with photographic beauty, present objectively the texture, rhythm, form in nature, without subterfuge or evasion in technique or spirit, to record the quintessence of the object or element before my lens, rather than an interpretation, a superficial phase, or passing mood--this is my way in photography. It is not an easy way."
--Edward Weston

Shells, 1927 (1S)
8" x 10"


"The hour is late, the light is failing, I could not expose another film. So there stands my camera focused, trained like a gun, commanding the shells not to move a hair's breath. And death to anyone who jars out of place what I know shall be a very important negative."
Edward Weston - The Daybooks

"It is this very combination of the physical and spiritual in a shell...which makes it such an important abstract of life," wrote Edward Weston of his still life compositions of seashells. Bored with portraiture, Weston began to experiment with the symbolic and formal potential of objects he found. By nesting one chambered nautilus shell inside another, he created a powerful sinuous form not seen in nature. The polished surface of the shells reflects the light, interrupting the sensual curve with piercing highlights. The shells stand in bold relief against the stark black background.

Abandoned Shoes, Alabama Hills, 1937 (ES-AH-2G)
8" x 10"

Artichoke, 1930 (28V)
8" x 10"

Kelp, 1930 (3K)
8" x 10"


Golden Circle Mine, Death Valley, 1939
8" x 10"

Cloud, Death Valley, 1938
8" x 10"

Oak, Monterey County, 1929
8" x 10"

"My way of working - I start with no preconceived idea - discovery excites me to focus - then rediscovery through the lens - final form of presentation seen on ground glass, the finished print previsioned - complete in every detail of texture, movement, proportion before exposure - the shutter's release automatically and finally fixes my conception, allowing no after manipulation."
Edward Weston The Daybooks

Bench/Comics, 1944

What inspired Edward Weston to photograph this dilapidated park bench surrounded by weeds? In many ways, this image resembles a still-life painting. By focusing on a simple, everyday object, Weston invites viewers to contemplate a subject they might otherwise ignore. As the centerpiece of the photograph, the bench is transformed from a commonplace piece of furniture to a graphic study of rhythmic, horizontal bands. The weathered finish and broken bottom band are telling signs of age; like the discarded comics page, they suggest that this park bench has provided a restful stop for many weary visitors.