DAY 163

FAMOUS PHOTOGRAPHERS

Edward Henry Weston (1886–1958)

PHOTOGRAPHIC PIONEER

Edward Henry Weston was one of the most influential fathers of modern photography, known for his direct approach that relied solely on purity of form, carefully considered compositions, and impeccably sharp prints. Using an 8 × 10 view camera, he was able to capture the heart of his subjects with stunning detail, from his well-known studies of seashells and vegetables (which he typically ate after photographing them), to nudes and landscapes.¹

Weston enjoyed success almost immediately after receiving his first camera at age 16, beginning with his first exhibit at the Chicago Art Institute. He worked out of his studio in Glendale, California, for two decades, and then moved to Mexico City in his late 30s, where he was enthralled with a lively art scene and met artists, such as Diego Rivera. After his return to the States a few years later, he settled in Carmel, California, and opened a studio with his son, Brett.

Weston shared a vision of technical perfection and expertise with fellow members of Group f/64. He applied these principles to all of his work, even the infamous collection of abstract images of a ceramic toilet, where he sought to find art in the details while simultaneously challenging mental associations. He was the first photographer to be awarded the Guggenheim Fellowship, a grant that he used to travel the country while photographing landscapes. Yet it was the scenes right outside his doorstep in Carmel that became his passion at the end. —GC