The Work of Edward Weston
Compare and Contrast:
I lucked out finding a pretty cool pepper. I knew it would be nearly impossible to find an identical pepper, but the overall shape looks similar to me. Edward’s pepper has human qualities. The lower right looks to me like the back and buttocks of a human body. Some might think this pepper looks obscene. The bumps, bulges and crevices do look similar to parts of the human anatomy. From this angle, my pepper looks like a mirror image conjoined at the base. I photographed my pepper upside down to make it resemble the outline of Edward's pepper. Both peppers tilt to the right. I am not certain which end is up on Edward's pepper.
I used the stage light mono filter in portrait mode on my phone. This helped create the black and white image, along with the amazing shadow effect. I used Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Bridge to make this photo as similar as possible. I added a bit of grain to match Edwards original photo. Although his pepper is a close-up, I took my photo from a distance because my pepper did not have as many bumps and bulges. The background in my photo gives the viewer a little more perspective and space to consider the overall object. Edward's close up is brilliant and full of detail, and might look a bit more ambiguous at first glance. I believe the background, grain and light also makes my pepper look ambiguous at first glance.
When I was taking this photo, I realized that I had never looked so closely at a pepper in my life. Taking this photo was a real challenge for me and I definitely have a new appreciation for how to photograph such an object.
I lucked out finding a pretty cool pepper. I knew it would be nearly impossible to find an identical pepper, but the overall shape looks similar to me. Edward’s pepper has human qualities. The lower right looks to me like the back and buttocks of a human body. Some might think this pepper looks obscene. The bumps, bulges and crevices do look similar to parts of the human anatomy. From this angle, my pepper looks like a mirror image conjoined at the base. I photographed my pepper upside down to make it resemble the outline of Edward's pepper. Both peppers tilt to the right. I am not certain which end is up on Edward's pepper.
I used the stage light mono filter in portrait mode on my phone. This helped create the black and white image, along with the amazing shadow effect. I used Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Bridge to make this photo as similar as possible. I added a bit of grain to match Edwards original photo. Although his pepper is a close-up, I took my photo from a distance because my pepper did not have as many bumps and bulges. The background in my photo gives the viewer a little more perspective and space to consider the overall object. Edward's close up is brilliant and full of detail, and might look a bit more ambiguous at first glance. I believe the background, grain and light also makes my pepper look ambiguous at first glance.
When I was taking this photo, I realized that I had never looked so closely at a pepper in my life. Taking this photo was a real challenge for me and I definitely have a new appreciation for how to photograph such an object.
Compare and Contrast:
I googled local historical sites to find a church that might have the old style church door shown in Edward’s photograph. I lucked out discovering an old Lutheran Church on Inverness Street in Dexter. The church was constructed in the early 1800’s and has been preserved well. It is now the Dexter Museum. I took the pic in the early evening, right before it rained. The light was almost perfect. Edward’s door had more daylight and shadow. My door is more shallow, less in shadow and the handle is larger. However, I caught this photo at the perfect angle and I believe it looks very similar otherwise. I love this photo for several reasons. Doors are such an interesting subject to photograph. I want the viewer to appreciate it’s simplistic beauty AND wonder what lies behind it. Does the viewer want to open it?
I used the normal filter on my phone because, the other filters did not really pop out when I was taking this photo. I then took the picture to Adobe Photoshop to brighten up the image a bit, and get a few shadows lurking around just like in the original.
I googled local historical sites to find a church that might have the old style church door shown in Edward’s photograph. I lucked out discovering an old Lutheran Church on Inverness Street in Dexter. The church was constructed in the early 1800’s and has been preserved well. It is now the Dexter Museum. I took the pic in the early evening, right before it rained. The light was almost perfect. Edward’s door had more daylight and shadow. My door is more shallow, less in shadow and the handle is larger. However, I caught this photo at the perfect angle and I believe it looks very similar otherwise. I love this photo for several reasons. Doors are such an interesting subject to photograph. I want the viewer to appreciate it’s simplistic beauty AND wonder what lies behind it. Does the viewer want to open it?
I used the normal filter on my phone because, the other filters did not really pop out when I was taking this photo. I then took the picture to Adobe Photoshop to brighten up the image a bit, and get a few shadows lurking around just like in the original.
Compare and Contrast:
A friend of mine let me borrow her Nautilus shell, and it has a very unique zebra-like pattern on it. It was tricky getting this photo because the shell had to be propped up. The Nautilus shell is a true fossil, thousands of years old and quite valuable. It encapsulates the entire life of a mighty sea creature. How cool is that. I hope it makes the viewer stop and think about the simplistic beauty and miracle of life within.
This photo was a bit harder to recreate. I used the Stage Light Mono filter to bring out the black, and kind of grainy background. The hardest part was trying hold the shell without anything interrupting the picture. I asked my Mom to help hold it for me, and a part of her hand was showing from behind the shell. I was happy to discover this was an easy fix. I used Photoshop to fill the background with black. My Mom and I love this photograph. It’s visually stunning.
A friend of mine let me borrow her Nautilus shell, and it has a very unique zebra-like pattern on it. It was tricky getting this photo because the shell had to be propped up. The Nautilus shell is a true fossil, thousands of years old and quite valuable. It encapsulates the entire life of a mighty sea creature. How cool is that. I hope it makes the viewer stop and think about the simplistic beauty and miracle of life within.
This photo was a bit harder to recreate. I used the Stage Light Mono filter to bring out the black, and kind of grainy background. The hardest part was trying hold the shell without anything interrupting the picture. I asked my Mom to help hold it for me, and a part of her hand was showing from behind the shell. I was happy to discover this was an easy fix. I used Photoshop to fill the background with black. My Mom and I love this photograph. It’s visually stunning.
Biography:
Edward Weston was born on March 24th, 1986, in Highland Park, Illinois. He died at the age of 71 on January 1st, 1958, in Carmel Highlands, California. In 1892, when Edward was only 5, his Mother passed away. Her dying wish was for him to become a successful businessman. Little did she know that he would become a very famous photographer instead.
Edward spent most of his childhood in the suburbs of Chicago. He first started photographing images at the age of 16, when his Father gave him his first camera (Kodak Box camera, Bull’s Eye #2). Edward first took pictures of his Aunt’s farm in Michigan, and the parks in and around downtown Chicago. He dropped out of school soon after to follow through with his mother’s wish and worked as an errand boy and salesman for his Uncle. In 1906, Edward’s first photograph was published in the April issue of Camera and Darkroom. It was called “Spring, 1903.” This photo really launched his photographic career. Edward thrived on pursuing his passion for photography, but also desired a family. He met and married his first love in 1909, Flora May Chandler, and together they had 4 sons. Edward had two other lovers in his life time; Sonya Noskowiak and Charis Wilson. Unfortunately, Edward was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1947, which lead to his death in 1958. Edward won an award from the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation for his outstanding photography. He was awarded the Guggenheim Fellowship for Creative Arts US & Canada award.
Style:
Edward Weston is known for revolutionizing the world of photography. He introduced an important component of modern art. Edward had a very complex vision and used very different styles of photography. In the early 1920’s, Edward used a pictorialist type of style in his photography. The pictorialist style means that the artist is imitating real paintings. Surprisingly, many modernists/photographers used this type of style in the 19th and 20th century. But, Edward had a unique way of creating his photographic art. He always knew how to bring out detail and patterns. He found a way to magnify the the tiniest of details in objects that made his work truly stand apart from others. Edward was undoubtedly a unique photographer with a unique vision.
Edward excelled so much in his profession that he built friendly relationships with other well known modernist photographers.
Later in his career, Edward developed his own style. He sort of stepped away from pictorialism, and focused on creating his own work. Edward kept searching for tiny, unique, and visually interesting details in his photography. Edward developed a passion for taking pictures of fruits, shells, doors etc. He took pictures of the simplest things in everyday life, and gave them a visual makeover to captivate the viewer.
Philosophy:
Edward Weston was a fantastic photographer with an amazing mindset and passion for creativity in his work. He took pictures of the simplest things in everyday life, and gave them a stunning visual makeover. He created a series of monumental close-ups of seashells, peppers, and halved cabbages, bringing out the rich textures and lines in their sculpture-like forms. Edward proved to us that there is great beauty in everyday life. His goal was to give new meaning and beauty to mundane objects. And he sought to explore and express that beauty through his photographic images. His later work reveals to us that simple, common objects have interesting forms, texture and beauty, especially when captured at the right angle and in the right light. Edward’s style changed over the years, but he was quite inspired by the work of his peers. His style and philosophy evolved. The boy photographed parks and country life. The man photographed vegetables, fruits, fossils, trees, the human form, and so much more. He looked for beauty in everything, and even photographed a toilet!
In 1922, Weston met Alfred Stieglitz and Paul Strand in New York City. After looking at their work he became convinced that "the camera should be used for a recording of life, for rendering the very substance and quintessence of the thing itself, whether it be polished steel or palpitating flesh." He did just that, and showed the world how beautiful everyday life is through his work.
Influences:
Edward Weston was inspired by those around him, including his friends, family and peers His family was very important to him. Edward led a fairly simple life, and found great beauty in that simplicity. Edward was also greatly inspired by other photographers, and one in particular. In 1922, Edward decided to travel to New York City to meet the most influential photographers in the East. Edward wanted to show off his artistic abilities, but there was one person that he was hoping to see, American photographer Alfred Stieglitz. Stieglitz’ work in modern art photography greatly inspired and influenced Weston.
Personal Artist Statement:
I now have a great amount of respect for Mr. Edward Weston and his work. His photographs have inspired me to think outside of the box, and take a more creative approach to photographing everyday objects. Edward Weston was a passionate and driven artist. I respect him for his commitment and determination to portray even the smallest details of everyday life in such an elegant and compelling way. He was a very skilled photographer, and his many different styles and subjects are captivating. Mr. Weston was also superb at capturing detail in his still life photos, landscapes and portrait photos. I truly love his black and white pictures! Black and white photography is such a great tool for showing contrast and creating dramatic, dynamic and thought provoking images.
I truly enjoyed learning about this man and his work. I will never look at a green pepper or sea shell the same way again. I now appreciate even the smallest of details in common and simple objects. I am now also inspired to photograph in black and white. There is a surprising amount of complexity and beauty to be found in the shadows and lines created by black and white images.
Edward Weston was born on March 24th, 1986, in Highland Park, Illinois. He died at the age of 71 on January 1st, 1958, in Carmel Highlands, California. In 1892, when Edward was only 5, his Mother passed away. Her dying wish was for him to become a successful businessman. Little did she know that he would become a very famous photographer instead.
Edward spent most of his childhood in the suburbs of Chicago. He first started photographing images at the age of 16, when his Father gave him his first camera (Kodak Box camera, Bull’s Eye #2). Edward first took pictures of his Aunt’s farm in Michigan, and the parks in and around downtown Chicago. He dropped out of school soon after to follow through with his mother’s wish and worked as an errand boy and salesman for his Uncle. In 1906, Edward’s first photograph was published in the April issue of Camera and Darkroom. It was called “Spring, 1903.” This photo really launched his photographic career. Edward thrived on pursuing his passion for photography, but also desired a family. He met and married his first love in 1909, Flora May Chandler, and together they had 4 sons. Edward had two other lovers in his life time; Sonya Noskowiak and Charis Wilson. Unfortunately, Edward was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1947, which lead to his death in 1958. Edward won an award from the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation for his outstanding photography. He was awarded the Guggenheim Fellowship for Creative Arts US & Canada award.
Style:
Edward Weston is known for revolutionizing the world of photography. He introduced an important component of modern art. Edward had a very complex vision and used very different styles of photography. In the early 1920’s, Edward used a pictorialist type of style in his photography. The pictorialist style means that the artist is imitating real paintings. Surprisingly, many modernists/photographers used this type of style in the 19th and 20th century. But, Edward had a unique way of creating his photographic art. He always knew how to bring out detail and patterns. He found a way to magnify the the tiniest of details in objects that made his work truly stand apart from others. Edward was undoubtedly a unique photographer with a unique vision.
Edward excelled so much in his profession that he built friendly relationships with other well known modernist photographers.
Later in his career, Edward developed his own style. He sort of stepped away from pictorialism, and focused on creating his own work. Edward kept searching for tiny, unique, and visually interesting details in his photography. Edward developed a passion for taking pictures of fruits, shells, doors etc. He took pictures of the simplest things in everyday life, and gave them a visual makeover to captivate the viewer.
Philosophy:
Edward Weston was a fantastic photographer with an amazing mindset and passion for creativity in his work. He took pictures of the simplest things in everyday life, and gave them a stunning visual makeover. He created a series of monumental close-ups of seashells, peppers, and halved cabbages, bringing out the rich textures and lines in their sculpture-like forms. Edward proved to us that there is great beauty in everyday life. His goal was to give new meaning and beauty to mundane objects. And he sought to explore and express that beauty through his photographic images. His later work reveals to us that simple, common objects have interesting forms, texture and beauty, especially when captured at the right angle and in the right light. Edward’s style changed over the years, but he was quite inspired by the work of his peers. His style and philosophy evolved. The boy photographed parks and country life. The man photographed vegetables, fruits, fossils, trees, the human form, and so much more. He looked for beauty in everything, and even photographed a toilet!
In 1922, Weston met Alfred Stieglitz and Paul Strand in New York City. After looking at their work he became convinced that "the camera should be used for a recording of life, for rendering the very substance and quintessence of the thing itself, whether it be polished steel or palpitating flesh." He did just that, and showed the world how beautiful everyday life is through his work.
Influences:
Edward Weston was inspired by those around him, including his friends, family and peers His family was very important to him. Edward led a fairly simple life, and found great beauty in that simplicity. Edward was also greatly inspired by other photographers, and one in particular. In 1922, Edward decided to travel to New York City to meet the most influential photographers in the East. Edward wanted to show off his artistic abilities, but there was one person that he was hoping to see, American photographer Alfred Stieglitz. Stieglitz’ work in modern art photography greatly inspired and influenced Weston.
Personal Artist Statement:
I now have a great amount of respect for Mr. Edward Weston and his work. His photographs have inspired me to think outside of the box, and take a more creative approach to photographing everyday objects. Edward Weston was a passionate and driven artist. I respect him for his commitment and determination to portray even the smallest details of everyday life in such an elegant and compelling way. He was a very skilled photographer, and his many different styles and subjects are captivating. Mr. Weston was also superb at capturing detail in his still life photos, landscapes and portrait photos. I truly love his black and white pictures! Black and white photography is such a great tool for showing contrast and creating dramatic, dynamic and thought provoking images.
I truly enjoyed learning about this man and his work. I will never look at a green pepper or sea shell the same way again. I now appreciate even the smallest of details in common and simple objects. I am now also inspired to photograph in black and white. There is a surprising amount of complexity and beauty to be found in the shadows and lines created by black and white images.
Sources:
Pepper:
http://edward-weston.com/edward-weston/
Church Door, Hornitos:
http://edward-weston.com/edward-weston/
Nautilus:
http://edward-weston.com/edward-weston/
Research Sources:
http://edward-weston.com/edward-weston/
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Edward-Weston-American-photographer
https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/literature-and-arts/photography-biographies/edward-weston
https://www.kimweston.com/edward-weston-chronology/
http://www.theartstory.org/artist-weston-edward.htm
Pepper:
http://edward-weston.com/edward-weston/
Church Door, Hornitos:
http://edward-weston.com/edward-weston/
Nautilus:
http://edward-weston.com/edward-weston/
Research Sources:
http://edward-weston.com/edward-weston/
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Edward-Weston-American-photographer
https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/literature-and-arts/photography-biographies/edward-weston
https://www.kimweston.com/edward-weston-chronology/
http://www.theartstory.org/artist-weston-edward.htm