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Edward Weston
A towering figure in twentieth-century photography, Edward Weston sought to awaken human vision-- to lead viewers to "see through their eyes, not with them." His restless quest for beauty and the mystical presence behind it created a body of work unrivaled in the medium.
This volume of Aperture's Masters of Photography series offers Weston masterpieces drawn from photographs spanning more than four decades. Included are his early Pictorialist images; industrial studies of Armco Steel; stunning portraits from his Mexican period; the breakthrough still lifes and landscapes of the thirties; and the sometimes acerbic images of the later years.
R. H. Cravens's essay draws upon Weston's writings and recollections by sons, lovers, and friends. What emerges is the profile of "a thoroughly American genius-- courageous, pure, troubled, unorthodox, and utterly sure of its purpose."
The Aperture Masters of Photography series is devoted to those individuals whose achievements have accorded them vital importance in the history of the art form. Each volume presents a selection of the artist's greatest images. Published to Aperture's standard of excellence, the Masters of Photography series provides a comprehensive library of the artists who have shaped the medium.
This volume of Aperture's Masters of Photography series offers Weston masterpieces drawn from photographs spanning more than four decades. Included are his early Pictorialist images; industrial studies of Armco Steel; stunning portraits from his Mexican period; the breakthrough still lifes and landscapes of the thirties; and the sometimes acerbic images of the later years.
R. H. Cravens's essay draws upon Weston's writings and recollections by sons, lovers, and friends. What emerges is the profile of "a thoroughly American genius-- courageous, pure, troubled, unorthodox, and utterly sure of its purpose."
The Aperture Masters of Photography series is devoted to those individuals whose achievements have accorded them vital importance in the history of the art form. Each volume presents a selection of the artist's greatest images. Published to Aperture's standard of excellence, the Masters of Photography series provides a comprehensive library of the artists who have shaped the medium.
96 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1988
About the author
Edward Weston
129 books20 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Edward Weston, noted American, photographed his stark, analytical images of landscapes and nudes.
Edward Henry Weston cofounded group f/64. Most work used an 8-inch × 10-inch view camera.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_...
Edward Weston, noted American, photographed his stark, analytical images of landscapes and nudes.
Edward Henry Weston cofounded group f/64. Most work used an 8-inch × 10-inch view camera.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_...
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 1, 2019
Highly symmetrical, very good photography but I liked more his life philosophies and sayings, at least those printed on this book. "I never try to limit myself by theories", "...supreme instants which pass with the ticking of a clock, never to be duplicated - so light, balance - expression must be seen- felt as it were- in a flash......being so perfected in one as to be absolutely automatic." Is that by the way another way to Say Synchronicity? I guess so :)
August 29, 2020
My review applies to the first edition hardcover from 1988.
This is a good-not-great basic intro to Edward Weston. It is probably not the most enjoyable of the Aperture Masters of Photography Series books I've read (even though EW is my favorite), but it is likely the easiest read, with text that gives a general overview of Weston's life without getting into either technical details or opaquely erudite artistic analysis. Another way to say it is that this omits much of what those already familiar might find interesting, but it's an approachable introduction for the unfamiliar.
The photo reproductions strike me as quite good, though my direct comparison has been limited to examining its Salinas barn photo against the version on the dustjacket of the California and the West 1978 edition. The photo selection I feel a little less enthusiastic about. This includes a number of his most famous shots and a sampling from most of his career, but, considering this is a beginner overview, it seemed like a lot of his best was left out, and some of what was included seems a little random. The total effect of this book feels less impressive than it could be, and I'm glad my introduction to him was instead through Flame of Recognition.
I'm also bothered by some rather egregious sloppiness in the creation of this book, though likely some of my complaints were fixed in later editions.
Edward's sister is introduced simply as May, when her name was Mary "May."
In the section on Edward's activities during the 1910s, in brief reference to the woman of greatest influence during this time, the book says "Her name was Margaret Mather." Except that wasn't her name. It was Margrethe, which she changed it to from Emma Youngreen. That's a disrespectful level of disregard and carelessness.
The listing of photo plates says Ton House instead of Tor House, and China Grove instead of China Cove.
The plate on page 47 is said to be "Dante's View, 1938," which surprised me because I didn't recall seeing that image when I went through the book. When I double checked, the image in question is similar in appearance to EW's 1937 Guggenheim shot from Dante's, but it's of a river, with sandy islands covered in trees and greenery, including what appears to be some pines. Dante's View is of the salt beds on the floor of Death Valley, and I'm unable to find any photo suggesting lush greenery can be found from that view (it was, after all, used as the location for the distant view of Mos Eisley), so I think this one was a mixup.
And the timeline misleadingly says Edward, Tina, and Chandler lived in Mexico City from 1923 to 1926, before correcting and contradicting itself by noting that most of 1925 was spent in California, before returning to Mexico without Chandler.
When such a small book has so many very basic errors, which could have been spotted by the most cursory fact check or look-over by someone familiar with the subject, I have to wonder what inaccuracies I didn't spot and how much the author can be trusted with any of the details. It makes the reading of this book feel like a bit of a waste of time.
In the end, I want to give this four stars for being... basically ok and a highly accessible Weston introduction... but can't justify more than three. It's still a good book and a decent quick intro, but it's just too careless, too lazy, and too unimpressive. If you're collecting the Masters of Photography series, certainly go ahead and get it, it's fine. If you're looking for a cheap and quick introduction to Edward Weston, start with Flame of Recognition instead.
This is a good-not-great basic intro to Edward Weston. It is probably not the most enjoyable of the Aperture Masters of Photography Series books I've read (even though EW is my favorite), but it is likely the easiest read, with text that gives a general overview of Weston's life without getting into either technical details or opaquely erudite artistic analysis. Another way to say it is that this omits much of what those already familiar might find interesting, but it's an approachable introduction for the unfamiliar.
The photo reproductions strike me as quite good, though my direct comparison has been limited to examining its Salinas barn photo against the version on the dustjacket of the California and the West 1978 edition. The photo selection I feel a little less enthusiastic about. This includes a number of his most famous shots and a sampling from most of his career, but, considering this is a beginner overview, it seemed like a lot of his best was left out, and some of what was included seems a little random. The total effect of this book feels less impressive than it could be, and I'm glad my introduction to him was instead through Flame of Recognition.
I'm also bothered by some rather egregious sloppiness in the creation of this book, though likely some of my complaints were fixed in later editions.
Edward's sister is introduced simply as May, when her name was Mary "May."
In the section on Edward's activities during the 1910s, in brief reference to the woman of greatest influence during this time, the book says "Her name was Margaret Mather." Except that wasn't her name. It was Margrethe, which she changed it to from Emma Youngreen. That's a disrespectful level of disregard and carelessness.
The listing of photo plates says Ton House instead of Tor House, and China Grove instead of China Cove.
The plate on page 47 is said to be "Dante's View, 1938," which surprised me because I didn't recall seeing that image when I went through the book. When I double checked, the image in question is similar in appearance to EW's 1937 Guggenheim shot from Dante's, but it's of a river, with sandy islands covered in trees and greenery, including what appears to be some pines. Dante's View is of the salt beds on the floor of Death Valley, and I'm unable to find any photo suggesting lush greenery can be found from that view (it was, after all, used as the location for the distant view of Mos Eisley), so I think this one was a mixup.
And the timeline misleadingly says Edward, Tina, and Chandler lived in Mexico City from 1923 to 1926, before correcting and contradicting itself by noting that most of 1925 was spent in California, before returning to Mexico without Chandler.
When such a small book has so many very basic errors, which could have been spotted by the most cursory fact check or look-over by someone familiar with the subject, I have to wonder what inaccuracies I didn't spot and how much the author can be trusted with any of the details. It makes the reading of this book feel like a bit of a waste of time.
In the end, I want to give this four stars for being... basically ok and a highly accessible Weston introduction... but can't justify more than three. It's still a good book and a decent quick intro, but it's just too careless, too lazy, and too unimpressive. If you're collecting the Masters of Photography series, certainly go ahead and get it, it's fine. If you're looking for a cheap and quick introduction to Edward Weston, start with Flame of Recognition instead.
October 18, 2025
It's nice introduction to Edward Weston's work, all artpieces are named and well displayed. I like that book is multilingual so I can read it on english, german and french at same time (except I don't know french but if I did I could). The life story about Edward is not very interesting itself but that is not the book's fault.
June 21, 2025
Il n’y a pas tant de choses à dire des photos de Weston. Parce que c’est principalement une recherche formelle. Mais l’éclectisme de ses sujets nous fait réaliser que la beauté se trouve aux endroits les plus surprenants, et qu’elle y est d’autant plus belle.
September 10, 2009
An amazing collection with an interesting essay that includes journal entries from Weston. I love his goal: "seeing through one's eyes, not with them." One of my favorite photographers of all time. The most beautiful stills, especially of seashells.
January 9, 2012
Wonderful and inspirational book.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews