Customer Reviews

The Daybooks of Edward Weston; Two Volumes in One: I. Mexico, II. California

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This book stands alone in the annals of art history. No other book gives such an intimate view into the day-to-day trials of a working artist. Weston, who from time to time fostered ambitions of becoming a writer, genrously shares his thoughts and his experiences over a 15 year period, culminating in a remarkable portrait of the artist as a human being. While literary critics may have occasion to fault his prose, which at times seems flowery and verbose, given his Victorian-age education this can be forgiven of him. Weston takes us through his decision to leave his family and travel to Mexico, where he chronicles not only his own work, but that of other artists. He writes of the bullfights, love affairs, the scenery, and of the many unforgettable characters he met along the way. Weston moved in many circles, and thoroughly enjoyed himself, whether his company be artists or revolutionaries. He shares with the reader his many instances of self doubt, of guilt, and of poverty. He also shares his many triumphs, as his original photography begins to garner commercial success. We see Weston as an art critic, giving unflinching opinions of the works of Diego Rivera, Carlos Orozco, Robinson Jeffers, and a host of others. He is no less honest in his evaluation of his own work. Included in the volume are 72 extremely well-reproduced photographs divided into the various periods of his photographic life. We are givin a behind-the-scenes look at how these photographs were made, from both the artistic and the technical point of veiw. Most importantly, the Daybooks is not just for photographers or Weston afficianodos, but for anyone who appreciates a well-written autobiography of a remarkable artist.

A fascinating introspective look into the mind of one of the great American photographers of the beginning of the 20th century, Edward Weston. With his intricate, yet simple, and sometimes abstract images, Weston created a world of his own together with his "one true love," his camera. By evidently pouring his soul into every entry of his daybooks, Weston makes the reader gain a greater understanding of his technique and extraordinary eye for beauty. The chronological organization of entries takes the reader from Weston's days in Mexico through his days in California.
Not only writing about photography, Weston describes his many acquaintances (his encounters with Stieglits are most interesting), his dinner parties, his adventures in a foreign land, his romantic dealings, etc. It was interesting to read of his take on Mexico of the 1920's. Also interesting is the glimpse into the life of a struggling artist who depends of every "sitting" to survive...the life of a true artist. The pairing up of his writings with sporadic clusters of his wonderful photographs enhanced and completed this Weston experience. Alltoghether a fascinating compilation of thought, highly recommendable.

Second time reading Weston's Day Books over thirty years. First time I was young and only looking for technical hints. This time I'm much more interested in relationships, family, and Weston's struggle with his art, money and life A must read for all artists.

This review is for the hardcover 2 Volumes in 1 edition from Aperture.

Though reprinted several times, the Weston Daybooks are certainly not common books. Possessing true cross-over appeal, they can be tapped into for aesthetics, for the processes of a working photographer, for biography, and as a record of the lifeblood of the wilder parts of Mexico and California in the 20's, 30's, and 40's.

Aperture's edition has always been one of the favored editions of the Weston, certainly because it houses 2 separate books, perhaps because of the editorial contributions of the Newhalls, and most likely because it is a quality binding -- a book with some heft and with handsome photographic reproductions. (However, this is no "coffee table book." Here one finds Weston's words with photographs...not photographs with little squibs of text.)

Hardcover cloth over boards with a sewn binding; dustjacket; 310 pp. Index, Glossary. Over 70 photo plates.

This book is a great book to get to know the thoughts of Edward Weston on his daily work of photography and personal life. This is a diary type book of daily entries of thoughts. It has some funny points and sad points (as a lives do). Photographers today can identify with the great Photographer on his progress of daily work. If you want to see Edward Weston's thoughts in his daily life this is the book to get! I'd have to say it's awesome to know the thoughts and happenings of a great photographer of the past!

I'll make this short and sweet. Not only was Edward Weston a remarkable, inspirational, master artist of the 20th century (e.g., check out the new book of 125 Weston prints that were scanned from the original negatives archived at The Center for Creative Photography), but this book will make clear to everyone that he is an extraordinarily sensitive human being who can communicate that sensitivity in words (as well as photographs). No wonder that his timeless photographs ("supreme instants" as Beaumont Newhall called them) were true "Equivalents" in Alfred Stieglitz's precise meaning of that term: they were (nearly) exact images of what he saw and felt at the time he released the shutter. In these Daybooks, you will read and understand Weston remarking many times: "I felt the exposure deeply." And remember, many of his priceless images were taken in the days before light meters. Enjoy this book. You will probably return to it again and again, just as I have.

This is a must read for photographers wanting to share and learn about the Masters creative processes.
The artists struggles to create, as well as the marketing of the art, the acceptablity and the challenge of life is still true today.
I really had my eyes opened, when I revewed the Westons work AFTER completed the study of the book....brings you a greater depth and appreciation of the man, the artist, and the art itself.

I can tell that this was a really interesting book. After reading it front to back more than once, I now have a new outlook on Edward and his work. I finally understand what he was trying to convey though his images thanks to this book. Edward Weston had a fascinating life especially with all who he encountered. This is a must read if you are an artist, photographer or not!