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Posts Tagged ‘Edward’

More Lessons from the Masters of Photography: Edward Weston

15 May

In any art form, we have those who seem to transcend the medium itself. Those who by their very accomplishments earn the respect and admiration of those who view their work. We call these esteemed individuals “Masters”. In photography, there great names that we hold high because their photographs move us on some emotional, nearly spiritual plain. We see these people as masters of photography not simply because of their level of technical skill but how their application of those skills makes us feel. At the same time, we strive to reach that same level of proficiency.

In this installment of Lessons from the Masters of Photography, we are going to examine the work of Edward Weston. We will look at the photographs and also the man to see what valuable lessons they can teach us about photography.

Edward Weston

Edward Weston - masters of photography

Edward Weston by Fred Archer- 1915

Weston was born in Highland Park, IL on March 24th, 1886. He began photography at the relatively young age of 16 when he was given a No. 2 Bulls-Eye camera by his father. The camera used 3 ½ inch roll film and Weston used the incredible little box to make photographs around Chicago where he spent a large portion of his childhood.

After moving to California in 1906, he worked as a surveyor and began working in photography essentially as a “door-to-door” photographer. A couple of years later, Weston would return to Illinois to attend the Illinois College of Photography where he became proficient in darkroom and camera techniques. Finally, in 1911, he opened his first studio in Tropico, California. The rest, as they say, is history.

Edward West went on to become one of the most dominating forces in the world of photography and is now considered by many to be one of the first great American photo makers. His work ranges from landscapes to fine art nudes and still life. In this article, we’re going to look at a few of the many lessons you can learn from the great Ed Weston, one of the Masters of Photography.

There are no Rules

How many times have you stopped yourself from placing a horizon dead center in a composition because it isn’t generally considered correct? Have you worn out the Rule of Thirds?

Do you always want to retain detail in the shadows each and every time? If you ever don’t make a photo in a certain way because it isn’t the “correct way”, then you are limiting yourself and your work…and Ed Weston would likely agree with me.

More Lessons from the Masters of Photography: Edward Weston - man looking up on a forest of tall trees

Weston believed there were no set “rules” to composition, He saw photography as a progression in self expression and would photograph the scene or subject based on what he felt, not necessarily based on any set rules.

When you photograph, always remember that while there a few technical constraints the majority of the creative side of your photograph is completely up to you. Be like Edward Weston and don’t hold back just because what you want to do is unique.

Beauty is Everywhere

If you look at some of Weston’s most celebrated works, you’ll see that they consist of everyday items that you might have in your home right this second; lettuce, sea shells, even a toilet. In fact, what is considered to be one of his most famous photographs is nothing more than a bell pepper.

More Lessons from the Masters of Photography: Edward Weston - pepper #30

Pepper #30 by Edward Weston, 1930/Image courtesy Sotheby’s

Weston made the everyday commonality of objects disappear. One of my favorite quotes by him is as follows:

“This then: to photograph a rock, have it look like a rock, but be more than a rock. Significant presentation – not interpretation.”

What’s Weston telling us here? Is he just being overly dramatic as some of us photographers tend to be (as my hand slowly raises)? Or is he saying that we should see the things around us not only as what they are but also what they could be?

sand dunes - More Lessons from the Masters of Photography: Edward Weston

Dunes, Oceano By Edward Weston, 1936

Beauty and therefore photographic material surrounds us all. Don’t overlook something because it appears simple. Instead, attempt to see its beauty photographically and learn to use your camera to show that quality in your work.

Use Simple Techniques in a Grand Way

Something I found surprising as I learned more about Weston is that most of (if not all) of his photographs were contact prints. This means that the negative is placed directly on top of or in very close contact with the printing paper. A contact print is the same size as the negative it is birthed from and in the case of Weston that was usually 8×10 inches.

silhouette of a camera on a tripod - More Lessons from the Masters of Photography: Edward Weston

Can you imagine that? All these great photographs were printed with extremely simple methods using nothing more than a negative, a piece of paper sandwiched in a wooden box, and light. The magic happened when Weston would add in the most important thing of all; his immense skill.

You see, Weston might have used simple tools, but the way in which he used them made all the difference. In your photography, never forget that amazing things can come very very simple means. The important thing is learning how to use the tools you do have expertly. Don’t believe me? That Pepper #30 from earlier…it was shot in a tin funnel on Weston’s kitchen table.

Some Final Thoughts on Edward Weston

I realize as I close out this article that it is March 24th, Edward Weston’s birthday. Oddly fitting as I think back on the legacy and lessons he left us to help better ourselves as photographers.

Weston was a master of making the simple profound. He used simple techniques and wasn’t afraid to bend the accepted “rules” in order to get the photography he saw fit. As you continue on your photographic journey I urge you to learn more about Edward Weston and his wonderful work as you discover more ways to become a better photo maker.

Read other dPS articles on the masters of photography here:

  • More Lessons from the Photography Masters: David Burnett and Vivian Maier
  • Lessons from the Masters: Robert Capa and Jerry Uelsmann
  • Cartier-Bresson and Stieglitz – Study the Masters of Photography to Become a Better Photographer
  • Masters of Photography: Bruce Davidson, Master of the Subway
  • Masters of Photography – Yousuf Karsh Portrait Photographer
  • Masters of Photography – Ansel Adams
  • Photography Lessons I Learned Growing Up Around Ansel Adams

The post More Lessons from the Masters of Photography: Edward Weston appeared first on Digital Photography School.


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Jet Set: The travel photography and photojournalism of Mark Edward Harris

12 Apr

With nearly thirty years of photography as well as almost ninety countries under his belt, travel, editorial and reportage photographer Mark Edward Harris has dedicated his eye to capturing life. His career in photography began as a still shooter for the Merv Griffin Show, but it was a four month trek through Asia when the show ended that first ignited his true love; travel photography. Read more about Harris’ photography as well as his tips on traveling light in our Q+A. See gallery

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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10 August, 2013 – Edward Curtis and Helicopter Production

10 Aug

Two new articles grace our pages today. The first is titled Edward Curtis, The Man Who Never Slept, by Eric Miola.

The second is the opening helicopter sequence to our Capture One 7 video training tutorial, which we just completed shooting. A helicopter sequence? Seriously? Yup.

"Having been to Antarctica with Michael and Kevin, I would say after having traveled the world and shot nearly my entire life as an exhibiting photographer,  it was one of my highlights in my life and I talk about it, all the time.  The images and experience of seeing something visionary and nearly extinct from the world, to see and experience the wildlife and scenery that does not fear humans is amazing.  The images I shot there won me two Smithsonian awards and nearly 18 other international awards". – Tim Wolcott

 Find Out More Now
These Expeditions Will Sell Out Quickly. They Always Do

 Find Out More Now
These Expeditions Will Sell Out Quickly. They Always Do


The Luminous Landscape – What’s New

 
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Art of Photography – Edward Weston

27 Aug

Edward Henry Weston was born in Highland Park, Illinois on March 24, 1886. In 1902, he received his first camera for his 16th birthday, a Kodak Bull’s-Eye #2, and began taking photographs in Chicago parks and at his aunt’s farm. Weston met with quick success and the Chicago Art Institute exhibited his photographs a year later, in 1903. He attended the Illinois College of Photography. In 1906, Weston moved to California, where he decided to stay and pursue a career in photography. He married Flora May Chandler in 1909, and together they had four sons: Edward Chandler (1910), Theodore Brett (1911), Laurence (1914) and Cole (1919). In 1910, Weston opened his first photographic studio in Tropico, California (now Glendale) and wrote articles about his unconventional methods of portraiture for several high-circulation magazines. 1922 marked a period of transition for Weston. Renouncing pictorialism in favor of straight photography, he would later become known as the “pioneer of precise and sharp presentation” with images of natural forms such as the human figure, seashells, plants, vegetables, and landscapes. He began regular visits to Mexico with his professional and romantic partner, Tina Modotti, whose relationship with Weston caused much gossip in the media. They were often accompanied by one of Weston’s sons, who received a sound instruction in photography. Brett and Cole later embarked on their own successful careers in this field; likewise his grandson Kim, and his great
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Tony teaches you how to do some cool stuff with your camera in this video lesson. This was awesomefarm’s entry in the mindbites.com “spread the craft” video contest, where we won the viewer’s choice award. Apologies for bad audio; light painting montage starts at around 3:00 ^^ awesomefarm.com
Video Rating: 4 / 5