Edward Weston

[Kevin J. Kolosky]

Merg (Mr. Ross)

When he wasn't otherwise doing or talking about photography, what kind of a guy was Edward Weston, in your perception.
I know he had his loves, etc., but what I am wondering is how he related to people in general. Did he do normal things, (like going to the grocery store, bars, parties, theaters, etc., ) or did he shy away from normalcy (if there is such a thing)?

[Jim Noel]

His Daybooks tell a lot about his everyday life. I knew Cole and he often talked about the parties which were very common. According to many, he was very much a people person. He never had much money and lived a somewhat Spartan, but not secluded life. He loved to dress up as various characters and he loved to dance.

[Kevin J. Kolosky]

So people regularly saw him downtown at the grocery store and the drug store and maybe the beer joint? And he talked about other things than photography, like fishing, and cars, and of course women, and food, and his family, etc.?

[Light Guru]

So people regularly saw him downtown at the grocery store

Well he had to get all those peppers he photographed somewhere.

[Eric Biggerstaff]

Since Merg knew him, I am sure he will have a nice answer for you when he sees this post. I will be interested to learn a little more myself.

[Mark Sampson]

While we wait for Mr. Ross to tell us of his own experiences, find copies of the 'Daybooks', both volumes. I understand that they're out of print, though. And read 'Through Another Lens', by his second wife Charis. And an anthology of writing about Weston, 'EW 100'.
Myself, I hope that Merg speaks up; he must be one of the few people still alive who knew the man, and I'd value his comments extremely.

[bigdog]

... find copies of the 'Daybooks', both volumes. ... And read 'Through Another Lens', by his second wife Charis (Wilson).

I second these suggestions.

Why would he not have done ordinary things? He lived a pretty ordinary life. He was well known, if not "famous" among certain circles, but nothing near what celebrities experience in these times.

[Kevin J. Kolosky]

"Why would he not have done ordinary things?"

I don't know. That is why I asked Merg to tell us what he knows.

[Bill_1856]

Ruth Barnhard said that he was the best sex she ever had. (He got around, you know.)

[karl french]

Try the following titles:

Through Another Lens by Charis Wilson (An amazing book I keep going back to.)
Artful Lives by Beth Warren (Very interesting about Edward's time in Los Angeles.)
A Restless Eye by John Woods (Brett Weston biography that gives much insight into the Weston family dynamics.)

The various biographical essays that accompany the many Edward Weston monographs. Especially the big Conger CCP Weston Catalog.

Avoid the Madlow bio. Perhaps the worst biography I've ever read.
You'll certainly want to supplement with the two Modotti bios of Albers and Hooks.
And the correspondence between Weston and Adams.
There are also two short volumes of correspondence between Edward and Cole and Edward and Brett.

There is a lot material out there.

[Kevin J. Kolosky]

Yeah, I have read some of it. But I want to hear from a guy that "hung around" with him.

I have read Ruth Berhard's books. She claims to have been a good friend of Weston's but she never mentions (that I recall) having an intimate relationship with him.

[Jim Jones]

On page 99 of Ruth Bernhard: Between Art and Life by Margaretta K. Mitchell, Bernhard suggests an intense artistic, but not physical, relationship.

[Merg Ross]

An earlier thread put me on the spot with a question about Edward Weston and what kind of man he was. I am not qualified to answer the question in totality. When I met Edward I was in the first decade of my life and he was living his last. What I know of the intervening decades has been learned from those who were close to him, including three of his sons, or those who have written of him with honesty and integrity. He was not a private man, an unlikely role for one who supported his art by a steady stream of persons seeking portraits. He was a man with a passion for life, art, women, music, theater, dance, and parties that lasted to the early morning hours, sometimes clad in borrowed woman's clothes easily fitting his five-foot-six inch frame.

My first memory of Edward Weston was in 1948 when he spent the night at our home in Berkeley. It was at the end of a ten day photography trip to Death Valley accompanied by his assistant Dody Warren and my parents. My father, a photographer, had befriended Edward in 1938 and suggested the trip, offering to escort the foursome in the family's new Mercury woodie station wagon --- it was Edward's last road trip with a camera and the occasion of his last attempts at color. A cabin in Rhyolite was rented for five dollars a week. From its surrounds, Edward made 8x10 Ektachrome and Kodachrome transparencies while my father and Dody recorded their respective vision with 8x10 and 5x7 view cameras. My mother, accustomed to being outnumbered by photographers, observed the desert flora and fauna while adding to her ever-growing collection of small rocks.

The following year, 1949, was the beginning of our frequent family pilgrimages to visit Edward at Wildcat Hill. It was also the year we met Brett, not long returned from his Guggenheim project along the East Coast. I was eight years old, and the memories and impressions of a decade of visits to Wildcat are as clear and poignant as if a yesterday occurrence --- the rustic abode with skylights and view to the distant Pacific Ocean, the pervasive odor of Edward's dozen-plus cats, a few 8x10 prints on the rough board and batten walls, Brett's wood sculptures on the mantle and the secretary desk from which Edward had penned his Daybooks --- and of course the cabinets filled with prints, the viewing of which was always the highlight of our visits.

From the time I met Edward, until his death a decade later, I witnessed the effects of Parkinson's disease as his health steadily deteriorated. Surprisingly, those close to him on a daily basis never heard him complain of his condition. So by circumstance, the Edward that I knew was not the vigorous person of the past, his voice was but a whisper and his body would not obey his commands. However, and this is so very important to my knowing Edward and our relationship --- his mind and his vision were as sharp and perceptive as his earlier days --- Parkinson's could not deprive him of those attributes.

By the time I was ten years old I had probably viewed a thousand EW prints, sitting on a barstool under the skylight of his studio. I was mesmerized by what I was seeing, why at such a young age I have never understood. For my birthday that year my grandmother gave me a cardboard box- camera and after periods of frustration with its limitations, my father let me use his 4x5 camera when I was twelve --- the results transformed my life --- I was hooked on photography and never looked back!

On a visit to Edward's when I was fifteen I showed him some of my photographs --- about twenty 4x5 contact prints. He sat in his captain's chair at the big table under the skylight slowly viewing the prints, mysteriously placing them in two piles. In a barely audible whisper, pointing to the smaller pile he said, "these I like" and then turned to me and softly uttered "photography is in good hands". Some moments in life are never forgotten!

The following year my father, Brett and I made one of our many winter photo trips to Mono Lake. We returned to Berkeley late in the evening and the following morning Brett called from the phone outside my bedroom to check on his father. The man whose influence and friendship was directly responsible for my life in photography had died an hour earlier, New Year's Day, 1958.

Edward was always approachable; he liked people regardless of status or profession, and had a steady parade of visitors --- during the years of our visits I met Morley Baer and Wynn Bullock when they came to share their work with Edward. They were treated to the same reviews as I was --- Edward never made negative comments or suggestions when viewing work, only an occasional remark --- but he let you know if he was moved or not.

I would suggest being very careful when believing what has been written about Edward Weston or appears on forums such as this. There are some qualified sources, however unfortunately very few persons are left to correct any distortions or untruths that sometimes appear. I have two photographer friends who knew Edward, one in the 1930's --- both are nonagenarians and between us we do our best to correct the inevitable falsehoods relating to the years of photography in which we have been actively engaged. When the watchdogs are gone, fiction has a way of becoming fact!

[jb7]

Thank you Merg-

[Thom Bennett]

Very generous of you Merg to share your experiences with Edward Weston.

[TXFZ1]

Thanks for sharing, these post are priceless.

David

[Alan Curtis]

Merg
Thank you for your input. Your collection of memories and thoughts are much better than any of us searching the web for facts about EW. "If it is on the web it must be true." Even well intended books contain a lot of misinformation.

[DennisD]

Merg,
Wonderful recollections ! Thank you for sharing and for your personal thoughts.
You were indeed fortunate to have ongoing access into Edward Weston's life at your young age.

Clearly those experiences and your association, in general, with the Westons influenced your life in a very deep and meaningful way.

With appreciation,

Dennis

[Mark Sampson]

Thank you, Mr.Ross. We are lucky that you will share your memories with us.

[Andrew O'Neill]

That was wonderful. Thank you, sir!

[bigdog]

I would suggest being very careful when believing what has been written about Edward Weston or appears on forums such as this. There are some qualified sources, however unfortunately very few persons are left to correct any distortions or untruths that sometimes appear.

Thank you Mr. Ross. We have to remember that Weston died in 1958, and the people that actually knew him are few. This May, I visited Wildcat Hill and met Kim Weston. I was taken aback by Kim telling that he had only met his grandfather a couple of times, and really only had one good memory of him. Kim was born in 1953, so, of course, would have only known Edward while he (Kim) was small child. While making perfect sense, it just never occurred to me.

[Merg Ross]

Merg,
Wonderful recollections ! Thank you for sharing and for your personal thoughts.
You were indeed fortunate to have ongoing access into Edward Weston's life at your young age.

Clearly those experiences and your association, in general, with the Westons influenced your life in a very deep and meaningful way.

With appreciation,

Dennis


Nicely said, Dennis.

Within those experiences and influences there were also lessons in honesty, integrity, generosity and loyalty. Fortunate indeed!

Thanks to all of you for your comments; much appreciated.

Merg

[Kevin J. Kolosky]

Merg

I really think you should write the book. One from the standpoint of learning those lessons from one of the great photographers of our time. The everyday stuff. Hanging around with Edward Weston stories. Perhaps include some of your work that you had Edward look at.

One thing is for sure. I KNOW I WOULD BUY A COPY. I bet a lot of other folks would too.

[Merg Ross]

Thank you Mr. Ross. We have to remember that Weston died in 1958, and the people that actually knew him are few. This May, I visited Wildcat Hill and met Kim Weston. I was taken aback by Kim telling that he had only met his grandfather a couple of times, and really only had one good memory of him. Kim was born in 1953, so, of course, would have only known Edward while he (Kim) was small child. While making perfect sense, it just never occurred to me.

David -

Glad you made a visit to Wildcat Hill. Fifty years elapsed between my last visit with Edward and my return. It is wonderful that Kim and Gina have preserved so much of the original feeling of Wildcat, with the addition of a few missing comforts. The darkroom is much unchanged, a marvel to think that so much great work was produced in such a confined space.

Yes, I am a decade-plus older that Kim but we share memories of Edward cutting up spleen to feed his large cat population --- it was one of those unforgettable smells of early Wildcat!

Perhaps too young to remember his grandfather, Kim had wonderful years to know and work with his Uncle Brett.

Thanks for your comments, I am familiar with your fine work.

Merg

[Wayne]

I would suggest being very careful when believing what has been written about Edward Weston or appears on forums such as this. There are some qualified sources, however unfortunately very few persons are left to correct any distortions or untruths that sometimes appear. I have two photographer friends who knew Edward, one in the 1930's --- both are nonagenarians and between us we do our best to correct the inevitable falsehoods relating to the years of photography in which we have been actively engaged. When the watchdogs are gone, fiction has a way of becoming fact!


What are some of these fictions Merg?

[Andrew Plume]

Hi Merg

a great piece from you, short, to the point and succinct etc etc

thanks yet again for your contribution to this forum

best

andrew

[Merg Ross]

What are some of these fictions Merg?

I am not an expert on the life and times of Edward Weston. As mentioned above, I knew him for only the last decade of his life. That experience, and my friendship with those who knew a younger Weston, form the basis of my knowledge. Perhaps fiction is too strong a word. However, I believe that misconceptions such as those fostered by Ben Maddow in his 1973 distorted Weston "biography" of a man he never met, need to be countered with more knowledgeable assessments.

For this, I suggest reading Dody Weston Thompson's essay on Edward Weston that first appeared in The Malahat Review of the University of Victoria in 1970, and was later expanded and updated to accompany the magnificent 2003 book published by Lodima Press (Edward Weston - Life Work). Merle Armitage, responsible for the publication of Edward's first book in 1932 (The Art of Edward Weston) considered Dody's Malahat Review essay the best piece ever written about Edward --- honestly written with sensitivity and integrity, unlike the ballyhooed Maddow narrative and preoccupation with the salacious. Fortunately, in 1973 there were plenty still alive to set the record straight --- Edward's sons, the Newhalls, Merle, Dody, Charlot, Ansel, Charis, et al.

I am unaware of misconceptions presently in need of correction and those in the past have been addressed as they occurred, by myself and others. Ultimately, people will believe what they wish to believe, myself included.

Ansel perhaps said it best in speaking of his friend --- "In the presence of his art, let us not overlook the great kindly qualities of the man himself". I think of these qualities when recalling Edward Weston, and of my good fortune to have known him.

[Bill_1856]

The Ben Maddow biography may be flawed, but it's the only one we've got.
Reading The Daybooks, and the books and articles about Marghrete, and Tina, can fill in a lot of the early history, and of course Charis' very readable book covers most of his last years (Sonya seems to have been given short shrift).
I'm told there is a bunch of family correspondence in Tucson, etc.
But I think that for the foreseeable future the Maddow book is the best we're going to have to cover the whole story.

[paulr]

There's an essay in this (http://www.amazon.com/EW-100-Centennial-Essays-Edward/dp/0933286457) book by Robert Adams titled "Weston: The Biography I'd like to Read." As the title suggests, Adams agrees with some of you that the existing biographies are lacking. In the process of telling why, he offers some original insights into both Weston and the difficult craft of biography. There are other good essays in the book too.

[Merg Ross]

Hi Merg

a great piece from you, short, to the point and succinct etc etc

thanks yet again for your contribution to this forum

best

andrew

Greetings Andrew, and belated thanks for the note. I have enjoyed adding my voice to this forum over the years. Photography, and the influential persons of my youth plus those befriended along the way, have enriched my life beyond words.

Best,
Merg

[Andrew Plume]

thanks indeed Merg

best

andrew

[Kevin J. Kolosky]

"I am not an expert on the life and times of Edward Weston. As mentioned above, I knew him for only the last decade of his life."

Ah, but you are an expert on when and how you knew him! What you did with him. What you and him talked about. Etc.

[Merg Ross]

Edward Weston, an alumnus of the Illinois College of Photography, was born on this date in 1886.

[eli]

He may have very well grown his own, in his kitchen garden.

IMO.

[Drew Wiley]

Well, I gotta admit I was influenced by Maddow. And I have heard numerous Weston anecdotes from a colleague of mine, a family friend of the Weston clan who frequently visited them, but, being a decade younger than even me, never personally knew EW. Fortunately, when I was still a teenager, I saw actual EW prints as well as book images, which inspired me visually long before I learned anything allegedly biographical.

[don mishler]

Ruth Barnhard said that he was the best sex she ever had. (He got around, you know.)

I recall seeing this in one of Ted Orland's books, he said she had told him that

[Tin Can]

Happy Birthday!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois_College_of_Photography


Edward Weston, an alumnus of the Illinois College of Photography, was born on this date in 1886.

[Pieter]

If you haven't already seen it, this recreation is wonderful to watch. Eloquent Nude The Love and Legacy of Edward Weston & Charis Wilson https://youtu.be/aOx8aLVTNq4

[Tin Can]

Wow!


If you haven't already seen it, this recreation is wonderful to watch. Eloquent Nude The Love and Legacy of Edward Weston & Charis Wilson https://youtu.be/aOx8aLVTNq4

[Pieter]

If you haven't already seen it, this recreation is wonderful to watch. Eloquent Nude The Love and Legacy of Edward Weston & Charis Wilson https://youtu.be/aOx8aLVTNq4

The entire film is available here: https://mastersof.photography/eloquent-nude-edward-weston/

[Tin Can]

Thank you!

I signed up and will wait until morning to begin.




The entire film is available here: https://mastersof.photography/eloquent-nude-edward-weston/