Brett Weston Books

[Salmo22]

I admire Brett Weston’s work. I’m looking to add a couple of books about Brett to my humble fine art photography library. Two titles have my attention. “A Restless Eye: A Biography of Photographer Brett Weston” and “Brett Weston: Master Photographer”.

Any thoughts about these two books, or others about Brett’s life and work, would be appreciated.

[Drew Wiley]

Merg Ross, who frequently chimes in, knew him well. He's your best resource for inside information. My favorite book is Brett Weston, A Personal Selection. Another especially good one is Aperture's, Brett Weston, Photographs from Five Decades. The late Michael Smith issued a collector-edition book of his images, I recall (beyond my own book budget). I've seen a lot of Brett's original prints - stunning! I never ran into him personally, though he left a kind note for me at the gallery once.

[Alan9940]

Like Drew, my favorite is "Brett Weston, A Personal Selection".

[Bernice Loui]

If possible visit the Weston Gallery in Carmel to see actual prints. Books are good, but not the same as prints in front of your eyes.
https://www.westongallery.com/origin...y/brett-weston

~Brett who burned his negatives to control his prints.


Bernice

[Willie]

https://www.lodima.org/

The Lodima Press site of Michael A. Smith and Paula Chamlee will get you to the Brett Weston portfolio books. Well done, beautifully printed - all images at the original print size - they are worth checking out.

[Mike Lopez]

I admire Brett Weston’s work. I’m looking to add a couple of books about Brett to my humble fine art photography library. Two titles have my attention. “A Restless Eye: A Biography of Photographer Brett Weston” and “Brett Weston: Master Photographer”.

Any thoughts about these two books, or others about Brett’s life and work, would be appreciated.

Get 'em both, if you can. Both are worthy of having in your collection.

As others have noted, Lodima published an 18-volume series of portfolios that are reproductions of those made by Brett. It's actually 19 volumes, with the final two being bound under the same cover. They are exquisite, but to purchase the entire set would cost an additional order of magnitude beyond what you are currently thinking about. However, if you can justify the expense, those volumes are simply marvelous.

[Merg Ross]

As Drew mentioned, I knew Brett well --- from when I was eight until his death forty-five years later. His influence on my life was immense, as recounted in my memoir, and in earlier posts to this forum.

Regarding books published during Brett's lifetime, I would probably choose Master Photographer, disregarding Brett's dislike for the title.

For a better understanding of the man himself, I suggest the writing of Richard Miller, and also the excellent film by Art Wright.


https://www.richardcmiller.com/portf...-a-friendship/

http://www.brettwestonphotographer.c...VDBrochure.pdf


If you find yourself in Carmel, be sure to visit the Photography West Gallery for a comprehensive selection of Brett's prints.

http://www.photographywest.com/pages/weston_bio.html

[Doug Howk]

Besides all the other books already suggested, I'd include "Brett Weston: Out of the Shadow" and "My Time with Brett" by Randy Efros

[Mark Sampson]

I well recall the "Out of the Shadow" show at the Phillips Collection- it was spectacular. The book is a worthy companion to the show and the reproductions are good. The Lodima Press books have the best reproductions I've ever seen, and since they are re-makes of Mr. Weston's own portfolios, must stand as the best representation of his work. I have the "San Francisco" book and I'll never part with it.

[Doug Howk]

An informative chat about Brett by some who knew him well: Kim Weston, John Sexton & Randy Efros

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9gxDGWebdc