Video on Edward Weston

[Daniel Stone]

hey guys,

just found this video on youtube showing Edward Weston at work. Very nice video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4aE2f07ON4

enjoy!

-Dan

[CantikFotos]

You can download it from Archive.org here:

http://www.archive.org/details/gov.archives.arc.46998

[Jan Pietrzak]

Dan,

I have almost forgotten about this film on Weston. It was one of the first that I had seen when in school. Thank you Bill Barns for starting the process. That school is over a few hills south of you and a place that I would come back to teach at. The time frame starts in the mid 60's, as a student and ends much later.

Keep in mind that the film was done by Willard Van Dyke, has some of the young Westons, and a few other notables in it.

Dan Thanks for finding it again

Jan Pietrzak

[Wayne]

My opinion is tainted somewhat by the fact that back when this was only available in VHS from the National Archives, they charged (and I paid) a hundred freaking dollars for it. Considering that it was a huge disappointment. But it has other disappointments, like the flag-waving tone of the whole thing, and the fact that EW doesn't utter a word. At $100 its an utter waste of cash. Getting it for free is about a break even deal.

[Gem Singer]

Corny dialogue by today's standards.

However, great cinematography, considering when it was made.

Thanks for sharing, Dan.

[Vaughn]

Thank, Dan! Most enjoyable.

That looked to be AA's car, with the top platform, they used, too.

[Curt]

As Merg already said, Edward Weston was advancing in Parkinson's at that point, and that's why he doesn't speak in the film. The woman with him was an actress, Merg knows here name, I forget. For those who don't know the music you hear is from the movie Suspicion, the Alfred Hitchcock version.

I believe we are lucky to have a film that shows him with his camera out on location regardless of whether he speaks or not. It's a glimpse of the man, yes he was an American and yes he was a west coast photographer and yes he was know around the world as a master photographer.

[Richard M. Coda]

You can download it from Archive.org here:

http://www.archive.org/details/gov.archives.arc.46998

How do you play it? I have a stacked MacPro and it says Quicktime can't read it.

[Merg Ross]

As Merg already said, Edward Weston was advancing in Parkinson's at that point, and that's why he doesn't speak in the film. The woman with him was an actress, Merg knows here name, I forget. For those who don't know the music you hear is from the movie Suspicion, the Alfred Hitchcock version.

I believe we are lucky to have a film that shows him with his camera out on location regardless of whether he speaks or not. It's a glimpse of the man, yes he was an American and yes he was a west coast photographer and yes he was know around the world as a master photographer.

Curt, thanks for the reminder as to why there was no speaking by Weston; he was already quite ill in 1947. He communicated with a whisper when I first met him in 1952.

The actress hired as Edward's apprentice was Franny Clausen. Willard Van Dyke was cameraman and director. Neil and Cole appear in the film.

[Brian C. Miller]

This just goes to show that you should make a documentary about yourself while you are still unknown. Then when you are famous you'll have something decent to show.

The film is about Weston, but not as with Weston. It's a typical 1950s documentary.

[Jan Pietrzak]

Merg,

Lets not forget Morley as the young photographer

Jan Pietrzak

[j.e.simmons]

There's no "nat" sound at all in this film. That's the way documentaries were made then, at least by the government, and that's where Van Dyke learned the trade. While it's a simple matter to sync audio and video in this age of tape and digital, it was very difficult in 1948. Natural sound, and sound bites, were recorded on a separate machine from the camera. The infamous board, clicked at the beginning of filming a movie scene, was used so that in editing, the visual of the two boards coming together could be matched to the "clack" sound.

I don't believe Weston's inability to speak had anything to do with it.
juan

[Jay DeFehr]

I'm not sure why the film makers wanted to portray EW as a philosopher. I didn't learn anything new from the film, but it does illustrate just how very small EW was. I'm surprised he could carry that big camera around.

[Jim Jones]

According to Terence Pitts in the book Edward Weston Color Photography, Weston was actually using Kodachrome during the filming.

[Merg Ross]

Merg,

Lets not forget Morley as the young photographer

Jan Pietrzak

Jan, yes and of course Frances too! Very large people in EW's latter years. Morley and Frances Baer.

[Jim Jones]

I'm not sure why the film makers wanted to portray EW as a philosopher. I didn't learn anything new from the film, but it does illustrate just how very small EW was. I'm surprised he could carry that big camera around.

In his prime, Weston was athletic. Approaching middle age he could still outrun his lankier sons. Charis Wilson said the case for the 8x10 weighed 30 lbs, probably without the tripod. Weston was 5' 4" or 5' 5", the same as Beethoven or Thomas Hart Benton. Greatness in great men should not be measured in inches.

[Merg Ross]

According to Terence Pitts in the book Edward Weston Color Photography, Weston was actually using Kodachrome during the filming.

Also Ektachrome.

[Merg Ross]

There's no "nat" sound at all in this film. That's the way documentaries were made then, at least by the government, and that's where Van Dyke learned the trade. While it's a simple matter to sync audio and video in this age of tape and digital, it was very difficult in 1948. Natural sound, and sound bites, were recorded on a separate machine from the camera. The infamous board, clicked at the beginning of filming a movie scene, was used so that in editing, the visual of the two boards coming together could be matched to the "clack" sound.

I don't believe Weston's inability to speak had anything to do with it.
juan

Juan, I believe that you are correct, considering the budget for this film. Anyway, suffice to say that if EW had been asked to speak, he most likely would have declined.

[Jay DeFehr]

In his prime, Weston was athletic. Approaching middle age he could still outrun his lankier sons. Charis Wilson said the case for the 8x10 weighed 30 lbs, probably without the tripod. Weston was 5' 4" or 5' 5", the same as Beethoven or Thomas Hart Benton. Greatness in great men should not be measured in inches.

I never suggested greatness was related to physical stature; quite an absurd notion. I'm 6'3", and carrying an 8x10 camera around is a chore. I meant no disrespect to EW.

[Vaughn]

I learned how intense EW's eyes were...

[Eric Biggerstaff]

That was fun to watch, I love the fact that even back then they called the view camera "old fashioned"

[SW Rick]

How do you play it? I have a stacked MacPro and it says Quicktime can't read it.

Rich,

VLC will play it on the Mac. VLC was free, at least when I recently downloaded. You then open it from the menu in VLC.

Rick

[Curt]

I bought my copy as a DVD and it included an original photograph of Edward Weston with it.

[Merg Ross]

I bought my copy as a DVD and it included an original photograph of Edward Weston with it.

As I recall, that was not a very flattering photograph of EW. Am I correct?

[Merg Ross]

As I recall, that was not a very flattering photograph of EW. Am I correct?

Curt, I answered my own question. It was indeed a very sick Edward Weston photographed by Larry Smith in the early 1950's.

[Bill_1856]

Thanks.

[Curt]

As I recall, that was not a very flattering photograph of EW. Am I correct?

As Johnny Carson would say: "Yes hypo typo, you are correct".

Maybe a bit like Richard Avedon on a bad day. He was very sick by at that time and it was probably the best he could do. I tried to look up the DVD supplier but couldn't find it. As I remember now it was an eBay purchase, I'm keeping mine with the others, Brett Weston, Paul Stand, etc.. Picture and all.

[Doug Howk]

The movie "Eloquent Nude" contains re-enactments of Weston working with Charis on some of his better known images. Probably more insightful than the Van Dyke film as to his working techniques.

[Brian Ellis]

Excellent video, thanks so much for posting the link (the other link someone posted took forever to download). I didn't notice the "flag waving" that someone mentioned and the dialogue seemed fine for the time period.

[eoghan]

The movie "Eloquent Nude" contains re-enactments of Weston working with Charis on some of his better known images. Probably more insightful than the Van Dyke film as to his working techniques.

See it here:

http://www.comcast.net/video/the-eloquent-nude/1093000069/

[Merg Ross]

The movie "Eloquent Nude" contains re-enactments of Weston working with Charis on some of his better known images. Probably more insightful than the Van Dyke film as to his working techniques.

Yes, an excellent film. I was with Charis at the screening in San Francisco a few years back, a wonderful experience and charming woman. The film is available for purchase:

http://www.eloquentnude.org/

[William McEwen]

The actress hired as Edward's apprentice was Franny Clausen.

I want someone to make a film about me, and hire a shapely Hollywood actress as my apprentice.

[William McEwen]

I didn't notice the "flag waving" that someone mentioned and the dialogue seemed fine for the time period.

The purpose of the U.S. Information Agency was (and still is) waving Old Glory in foreign countries.

[Brian Ellis]

The purpose of the U.S. Information Agency was (and still is) waving Old Glory in foreign countries.

So? Did you see any "flag waving" in this film? I didn't.

[Wayne]

I havent watched the film in several years, but when I did it came across as not as "Edward Weston, great photographer" it came across more as Edward Weston, "Great American who BTW happens to be a photographer". Its just the whole tone of it, a post war feel. They were still making documentaries like that into the 60s when I was born, and we had new wars to worry about. Anyway dont want to pee on other people's parade, but for 100 bucks it was a big letdown.

[Vaughn]

Loads of flag waving -- but not the flag of a nation, but of photography. In fact the message is heavily un-American...or at least against the messages that arose out of the post WWII period. Examples -- modest home and few belongings, thinking for oneself, not tearing up the landscape, not letting our new gadgets control us, to name the ones I caught.

[Richard M. Coda]

Rich,

VLC will play it on the Mac. VLC was free, at least when I recently downloaded. You then open it from the menu in VLC.

Rick

Thanks Rick... took me a while to remember I even had VLC. Any way to convert it so I can make a DVD? I have the VHS and made a copy to DVD, but this looks better.

[Merg Ross]

Loads of flag waving -- but not the flag of a nation, but of photography. In fact the message is heavily un-American...or at least against the messages that arose out of the post WWII period. Examples -- modest home and few belongings, thinking for oneself, not tearing up the landscape, not letting our new gadgets control us, to name the ones I caught.

It is interesting to note the role of the State Department in editing the original footage. Scenes were omitted from Willard's original presentation. Even the musical score became a problem, the State Department claiming that they did not have the money for an original score but would try to get special appropriation.

Willard was frustrated with the delay and editing, and in an early 1950 letter to Edward wrote: "It is, of course, the first film made on an American photographer. It might be news worthy to say that I was an apprentice of yours twenty years ago, and that this is my tribute to my "maestro," as well as to the kind of approach to photography and to life that you taught me to respect. It is true."

[Curt]

Isn't it true that government hasn't changed that much over time. Add anything creative and it's nearly impossible to get action on it. We are lucky to have the film as it is given the circumstances.

I thank Art Wright and Brett Weston for making his film, I watch it on a regular basis and find different things in it from time to time. Having traveled to the places in the film is a big plus and makes it all the more personal.

On a side note, Brett's 100Th birthday is coming up, he was born December 16Th 1911 so it's about one year away but this next year. I would hope there is increased interest in seeing his prints and exploring his life and approach to photography. I've never seen a photographer that was as consistent in their vision over such a long time as Brett was in his style that many call abstract. Many have had single images that were very fine and resembled his 'style' of photography but I believe he is the only one that kept the vision for a lifetime in such a vast work.

[Wayne]

I'd be glad to pay $100 for a non-patriotic film of Brett at work, who IMO surpassed even his father.

[Doug Howk]

At $25, the Art Wright video (http://www.brettwestonphotographer.com/)of Brett Weston is a bargain. According to the bibliography at the Brett Weston Archive, there is another video of Brett by Ed Cismondi; but I've never been able to find a source.

[William McEwen]

So? Did you see any "flag waving" in this film? I didn't.

I haven't watched the film yet -- I'm eager to, and will do so soon -- I was commenting on comments.

[Merg Ross]

At $25, the Art Wright video (http://www.brettwestonphotographer.com/)of Brett Weston is a bargain. According to the bibliography at the Brett Weston Archive, there is another video of Brett by Ed Cismondi; but I've never been able to find a source.

Ed Cismondi owned a camera store in San Jose, CA and was also a photographer. He was a frequent visitor at Brett's and I recall him being around during Art's filming.

His son, Ed Cismondi, Jr., made a film of Brett (One of a Kind) which I believe was done as a project for his degree. I don't think the film was ever released. Perhaps in time it will surface.

After all, it took until 2003 for Art to release his early 1970's film.

[Doug Howk]

Besides the continuance of the Lodima Portfolio series, it would be nice to honor Brett's 100 birthday next year by the release of the Cismondi film and John Woods biography. Oh well, just dreaming.

[Merg Ross]

Besides the continuance of the Lodima Portfolio series, it would be nice to honor Brett's 100 birthday next year by the release of the Cismondi film and John Woods biography.

Indeed it would seem appropriate for the Brett Weston Archive to honor Brett's birth centennial. They have shown little interest in doing much of anything. A rather sad state of affairs, in my opinion. The sole large exhibit of Brett's work to travel, was sponsored by the Oklahoma City Museum of Art and The Phillips Collection. The only thing planned by the Archive is a summer 2011 exhibit in Colorado.

As to the John Charles Woods book, "A Restless Eye", whatever happened to the anticipated publication? It was a number of years ago that I corresponded with the Archive on this subject. Still no answer.

[Chuck P.]

That was fun to watch, I love the fact that even back then they called the view camera "old fashioned"

I had this exact same thought