My Pepper

Edward Weston is one of the most well-known and influential photographers in history. Initially, Weston was a portrait photographer and created images in the style of the day. They were soft and meant to look like paintings.

..to reveal the individual before his camera, to transfer the living quality of that individual to his finished print…Not to make road maps but to record the essential truth of the subject; not to show how this person looks, but to show what he is. – Photoquotes – Edward Weston’s definition of the role of the portrait photographer. “The Portrait in Photography”, Reaktion Books, London 1992, Mick Gidley, p136 – 137

Weston’s photographs and ideas about photography evolved over the years. Especially after meeting some of the finest photographers and artists of the day – Alfred Stieglitz, Imogen Cunningham, Georgia O’Keefe, Paul Strand, and Ansel Adams. A few weeks ago I wrote about Tina Modotti, a fine contemplative photographer herself, also known as Edward Weston’s muse. They lived in Mexico for a few years where Weston experienced a different culture and became more invested in social justice issues, through his friendships with artists such as Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. After returning from Mexico, his photographs became simpler and sharper. He focused on shapes, whether of the female body, the California coastline, or green peppers.

• Google Edward Weston peppers and you will be amazed.

Weston calls photography a way of self-development, a means to discover and identify oneself with all the manifestations of basic forms – with nature, the source. – Photoquotes

His greatest influence was in elevating photography to an art. He showed that effects were not needed in photography, only the ability to express the subject’s true essence. Learn more about Edward Weston and listen to an mp3 about his life and work here or at his gallery.