For more than 15 years, Edward Weston kept a diary in which he recorded his struggle to understand himself, his society and his art. His journal has become a classic of photographic literature. Weston was a towering figure in twentieth-century photography, whose restless quest for beauty and the mystical presence behind it resulted in a body of work unrivaled in the medium. John Szarkowski observes that "It was as though the things of everyday experience had been transformed... into organic sculptures, the forms of which were both the expression and the justification of the life within... He had freed his eyes of conventional expectation, and had taught them to see the statement of intent that resides in natural form."
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"It was as though the things of everyday experience had been transformed . . . into organic sculptures, the forms of which were both the expression and the justification of the life within . . . He had freed his eyes of conventional expectation, and had taught them to see the statement of intent that resides in natural form."--John Szarkowski
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About the Author
Edward Weston (1886-1958) is one of the twentieth century's most prominent and pioneering photographers. In 1917 he became a member of the London Salon and in 1922 he met Alfred Stieglitz and Paul Strand.
In 1923 with his marriage failing he went to Mexico and opened a studio. It is at this time that he began keeping journals which he referred to as "daybooks." He wrote in his daybooks until 1943, and in 1961 they were edited by Nancy Newhall and published for the first time.
He was the first photographer to receive a Guggenheim Fellowship. Sadly, he was stricken with Parkinson's disease in the early 1940s and he relied on his sons, Brett and Cole, to continue printing for him. Cole, his youngest son became his assistant in 1946 and in 1952 the two men put together their father's 50th Anniversary Folio. After Edward's death in 1958 Cole fulfilled his father's wish and continued to print his negatives.
Nancy Newhall (1908-1974) dedicated thirty years of her life to photography, as a writer, scholar, critic, editor, and collaborator in publishing the work of several of the most influential photographers of this century.
Among her many accomplishments are the highly acclaimed exhibitions of Paul Strand and Edward Wilson, which she directed at the Museum of Modern Art. Author of the classic biography of Ansel Adams, The Eloquent Light, she also edited and collaborated with Paul Strand to produce the book Time in New England. Her other books include P.H. Emerson: The Fight for Photography as a Fine Art; Edward Wilson: The Flame of Recognition, (ed); and This Is the American Earth (with Ansel Adams).
Beaumont Newhall (1908-1993) was a distinguished historian and curator, and author of the definitive The History of Photography.
In 1923 with his marriage failing he went to Mexico and opened a studio. It is at this time that he began keeping journals which he referred to as "daybooks." He wrote in his daybooks until 1943, and in 1961 they were edited by Nancy Newhall and published for the first time.
He was the first photographer to receive a Guggenheim Fellowship. Sadly, he was stricken with Parkinson's disease in the early 1940s and he relied on his sons, Brett and Cole, to continue printing for him. Cole, his youngest son became his assistant in 1946 and in 1952 the two men put together their father's 50th Anniversary Folio. After Edward's death in 1958 Cole fulfilled his father's wish and continued to print his negatives.
Nancy Newhall (1908-1974) dedicated thirty years of her life to photography, as a writer, scholar, critic, editor, and collaborator in publishing the work of several of the most influential photographers of this century.
Among her many accomplishments are the highly acclaimed exhibitions of Paul Strand and Edward Wilson, which she directed at the Museum of Modern Art. Author of the classic biography of Ansel Adams, The Eloquent Light, she also edited and collaborated with Paul Strand to produce the book Time in New England. Her other books include P.H. Emerson: The Fight for Photography as a Fine Art; Edward Wilson: The Flame of Recognition, (ed); and This Is the American Earth (with Ansel Adams).
Beaumont Newhall (1908-1993) was a distinguished historian and curator, and author of the definitive The History of Photography.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An intimate look into the mind and soul of an artist,
This review is from: The Daybooks of Edward Weston Two Volumes in One ( I. Mexico II. California) (Paperback)
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.
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Weston experience- an introspective look,
By Susana (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Daybooks of Edward Weston Two Volumes in One ( I. Mexico II. California) (Paperback)
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.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Daybooks of Edward Weston,
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This review is from: The Daybooks of Edward Weston Two Volumes in One ( I. Mexico II. California) (Paperback)
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.
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