Personal Background
Edward Henry Weston was a 20th-century American photographer. His childhood took place in Chicago, where he attended Oakland Grammar School. He started photography at the age 16, photographing Chicago’s parks and his farm. He then Moved to California to pursue a job, but then returned to Illinois to attend the Illinois College of Photography in Effingham, Illinois, then returned to California. He held many Photography jobs, then later founded his own portrait studio, where his career skyrocketed. He married and had 4 children, meanwhile he received many awards, and his works were published in many magazines.
Style
Edward Weston’s work possesses many characteristics. They are mostly done with a black background, in addition to being black and white. His pictures helped transform into a more modern form, which we still see to this day. Back in his day, photography was only used as an alternative to paintings of a landscape or a family or individual. He took many nudes, landscapes, and pictures of everyday objects, with a modern twist with all his photos.
Philosophy
The major idea behind Edward’s work was "to make the commonplace unusual." He took common, boring objects, and gave them a sort of beauty through photography. He wanted to make classic objects abstract and erotic, from peppers to the human body. He gave a heightened presence to all the objects he photographed. His work was described as it “takes one beyond the world we know in the conscious mind."
Influences
Edward Weston has influenced my work greatly. He taught me that I don’t need amazing scenery or outstanding objects to take great pictures. Before, I used to think black and white ruined all photos. Now, I realize if it is used on the right objects, black and white can add emotions to many photos. His photos also pay great attention to the up-close texture of objects, which now I want to reflect in my photos.
Resources: All be Edward Weston
(Look at the top of the page for the photos)
1. Hands of Kreutzberg https://www.pinterest.com/ilablack/edward-weston/
2. Bananas https://www.pinterest.com/pin/159596380519432093/
3. Mushroom https://www.pinterest.com/pin/376261743851708329/
Compare and Contrast
I believe my photos are a lot better than Edward Weston's. A big part of that is because I have much better photo editing programs and cameras than he had back then. I feel like my banana and hand photos portray much more emotion, and really make the viewer stare and focus much more than Edward Weston's photos did. Our mushroom photos differed greatly: He used much more contrast while mine uses the background to blend with the photos. I feel like these 2 photos portray different emotions, his as more polished and mine as the natural side.
Artist Statement:
My Hands of Sisterhood and Potassi-Yum photos I feel really portray inner senses of emotion. The backgrounds are pitch black, emphasizing the focal points greatly. It enhances every little detail of the photos, exposing every flaw but making them beautiful. For my Fun-Guy photo, I was not able to obtain the black background, but I feel the background is complementary to the mushroom. The texture of the inner mushroom really pops out, and the texture is really mesmerizing.
Edward Henry Weston was a 20th-century American photographer. His childhood took place in Chicago, where he attended Oakland Grammar School. He started photography at the age 16, photographing Chicago’s parks and his farm. He then Moved to California to pursue a job, but then returned to Illinois to attend the Illinois College of Photography in Effingham, Illinois, then returned to California. He held many Photography jobs, then later founded his own portrait studio, where his career skyrocketed. He married and had 4 children, meanwhile he received many awards, and his works were published in many magazines.
Style
Edward Weston’s work possesses many characteristics. They are mostly done with a black background, in addition to being black and white. His pictures helped transform into a more modern form, which we still see to this day. Back in his day, photography was only used as an alternative to paintings of a landscape or a family or individual. He took many nudes, landscapes, and pictures of everyday objects, with a modern twist with all his photos.
Philosophy
The major idea behind Edward’s work was "to make the commonplace unusual." He took common, boring objects, and gave them a sort of beauty through photography. He wanted to make classic objects abstract and erotic, from peppers to the human body. He gave a heightened presence to all the objects he photographed. His work was described as it “takes one beyond the world we know in the conscious mind."
Influences
Edward Weston has influenced my work greatly. He taught me that I don’t need amazing scenery or outstanding objects to take great pictures. Before, I used to think black and white ruined all photos. Now, I realize if it is used on the right objects, black and white can add emotions to many photos. His photos also pay great attention to the up-close texture of objects, which now I want to reflect in my photos.
Resources: All be Edward Weston
(Look at the top of the page for the photos)
1. Hands of Kreutzberg https://www.pinterest.com/ilablack/edward-weston/
2. Bananas https://www.pinterest.com/pin/159596380519432093/
3. Mushroom https://www.pinterest.com/pin/376261743851708329/
Compare and Contrast
I believe my photos are a lot better than Edward Weston's. A big part of that is because I have much better photo editing programs and cameras than he had back then. I feel like my banana and hand photos portray much more emotion, and really make the viewer stare and focus much more than Edward Weston's photos did. Our mushroom photos differed greatly: He used much more contrast while mine uses the background to blend with the photos. I feel like these 2 photos portray different emotions, his as more polished and mine as the natural side.
Artist Statement:
My Hands of Sisterhood and Potassi-Yum photos I feel really portray inner senses of emotion. The backgrounds are pitch black, emphasizing the focal points greatly. It enhances every little detail of the photos, exposing every flaw but making them beautiful. For my Fun-Guy photo, I was not able to obtain the black background, but I feel the background is complementary to the mushroom. The texture of the inner mushroom really pops out, and the texture is really mesmerizing.