Edward Weston - The Early Years Book Review

November 07, 2021 • 1 Comment

Edward Weston: The Early Years hardcover book is an absolute treasure.

I have always admired Weston for his simple large format contact printing methods, but I always wondered about the history and information about his formative and early years, especially his large format Pictorialist work.

For most of Weston's career he talked negatively about his Pictorialist beginnings and I always wondered the back story to this and whatever happened.

The author, Karne Haas, did an amazing job telling the story of Weston's early years and I am super impressed with the quality of the writing and literally everything about the book.

All I can say is that if you are a large format photographer, then you will enjoy and treasure this book as much as I do.

Once I opened the cover, my weekend was gone. I spent the next two days reading the book and looking at Weston's amazing photographs. I come away inspired as well as having a solid understanding of who Edward Weston was before he became the famous Edward Weston that we read about.

You can order the book directly from Amazon and have it delivered to your door in a couple of days.

Join Tim Layton on YouTube

Book Description

Often overlooked―until now―Weston's early photography is painterly and luscious

This is a book about Edward Weston before he was Edward Weston―before he was the renowned modernist photographer we know so well. His early years in the field coincided exactly with the height of the Pictorialist movement in America, and while he was never a typical practitioner, he did make photographs that borrowed themes from paintings and other media, and experimented with soft-focused imagery that sometimes looks more like graphite drawings or inky dark prints than photographs. He would later disavow the gauzy, painterly experiments of his early years, claiming in his Daybooks that “even as I made the soft ‘artistic’ work … I would secretly admire sharp, clean, technically perfect photographs.”

Introducing rare surviving prints from the unplumbed holdings of the Lane Collection at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, this book offers new insights into Weston’s working methods and his evolution as a photographer. By taking a longer and more nuanced view of his early years, and by reinserting his first experiments back into the larger story of his artistic production, it reveals the variety of ways in which the paths he took as a young man led him to become the mature modernist master. Beautifully reproduced examples of Weston’s most important early work, essays explaining its place in his oeuvre and the history of photography, and a section dedicated to the variety of Weston’s early materials and techniques make this book a must-have resource.

What Are Art Buyers & Collectors Saying About Tim Layton Fine Art?

"I just received my handmade silver gelatin fine art print from Tim Layton and it is absolutely stunning!

I want other people to know the attention to detail that Tim puts into the making of his fine art.

As a fellow large format photographer and printer of my own B&W darkroom prints, I can tell you that Tim’s work is exceptional.

Now having this print in my hands, I can tell you that this selenium-toned print looks three-dimensional. That is high praise considering we work in a two dimensional medium. If you have not already joined Tim’s Fine Art Print Club, I strongly recommend that you join now! You will not regret your decision. -John D'Angelo, NY

"The size of your prints are amazing, but it’s the minute detail and tonal range you capture that give your images their aesthetic qualities. Every one of your handmade fine art prints that I have seen, has blown me away to the point I pause the video to look at them more closely. It never ceases to amaze me how you create images that look so simple, and yet many of us watching that doesn’t mean easy. I can only dream of capturing anything 1/10th as beautiful as you do." -Mark Harris

"I have been following Tim's journey for some time now; I shoot mostly 4x5 and some 8x10, and have a small business, Zee Zee LightBenders, that specialises in alternative printing in cyanotype, Salt, Kallitype and of course traditional black and white silver gelatine. I have been following Tim's quest on the Wild Horses of Missouri and was lucky enough to purchase "The Nomads" print. I live in Africa, so nothing moves with speed. 60 days later I received the package from Tim, no fault of his, that's how we roll in Africa.
Well, was the wait worth it? - ABSOLUTELY!!!! A beautiful print on textured paper. I went on a Namibia trip to see the wild horses there in January this year so I can absolutely relate to this experience.

Keep up the good work Tim, love your work and contribution to conservation" -Rodney Rudman, Cape Town, South Africa

Join Tim Layton on YouTube "The artwork by Tim Layton is very unique, all handmade, from the negative to the final print on Ilford MGIV fiber paper and gently toned in selenium. The tones are subtle, and distinct, and placed in just the right grey scale zones so the overall contrast of the print feels complete - from pitch black to delicate highlights. Holding one of his prints in your hands and viewing it carefully in daylight will reveal the beauty of his handmade darkroom prints. In addition, Tim's prints are simply beautiful and artistic." -Anders Blomqvist, Sweden

If you want to help support our film and darkroom work, click on the Amazon or B&H Photo logos below and we earn a small commission when you use our links at no additional cost to you. Every little bit helps and we appreciate your support.

What Are Members Saying About The Darkroom Underground?

Join Tim Layton on YouTube There is no shortage of people providing information on photography on YouTube and the internet. Some are even aimed at the analog photographer, but what Tim has done with the Darkroom Underground (DU) is nothing short of pure brilliance. DU is not only for the analog photographer it is also for the Large Format & Ultra Large Format Photographer. I don’t know of anyone else who is covering ULF.

He has simplified learning with wonderful videos that are supplemented with show notes so you have all the information for you to do this on your own. But unlike anything else out there you have Tim as a resource, too. He has always been easily available for questions or clarification and he welcomes suggestions for future shows.

If you are serious about learning all aspects of analog and LF/ULF this is the place to be. -Michael Wellman

"Tim Layton is providing very useful information for all those who are interested in analog photography and large format cameras. He covers in a very detailed and entertaining way the different aspects of this field. He always takes the time to explain the details and share all his know-how. Nothing is hidden or secret. Everything is on the table.

The videos and blogs are shot and edited in a very professional way. Tim is always ready to receive and share the suggestions and ideas coming from other people. He is a very good community manager.

I would like also to underline the growing role of his son, Tim Junior who contributes also greatly to the quality of the videos, text and explanation. Last but not least, Tim is always welcoming suggestions and questions and ready to interact. I recommend warmly the work of Tim Layton. -Stéfane France

ANALOG PHOTOGRAPHY TRAINING LIBRARY

Tim Layton Fine Art All Access Pass B&W Darkroom Photography Video Workshop

Read Testimonials from photographers and collectors from around the world.

Buy Your Photography, Video, & Technology Gear at No Additional Cost To You From B&H Photo

B&H Photo Video COLOR FILMS, DEVELOPERS, DARKROOM GEAR

Fujichrome Provia 100F - Fujichrome Velvia 100 - Fujichrome Velvia 50 - Kodak Portra 160 - Kodak Portra 400 - Kodak Ektar 100 - Fujicolor Pro 400H - Fujicolor Crystal Archive Silver Gelatin RA4 Paper - RA-4 Color Print Processing Developer & Processing Chemicals - Color Darkroom Enlargers

ILFORD B&W FILMS & DEVELOPERS

Ilford HP5 Plus- Ilford FP4 Plus - Ilford Delta 100 - Ilford Delta 400 - Ilford Delta 3200 - Ilford Pan F Plus - Ilford XP2 Super - Ilford SFX - Ilford ID-11 - Ilford DD-X - Ilford Microphen

KODAK B&W FILM DEVELOPERS

Kodak Tri-X - Kodak T-Max 100 - Kodak T-Max 400 - Kodak Portra 160 - Kodak Portra 400 - Kodak Ektar 100 - Kodak P-3200 - Kodak Ektachrome - Kodak D-76 - Kodak XTOL - Kodak HC-110

DARKROOM SUPPLIES & EQUIPMENT
Jobo CPP-3 processer - Ilford RC Pearl Paper - Ilford RC Glossy Paper - Ilford Multigrade Fiber Paper - Ilford Stop Bath - Ilford Rapid Fixer - Neutral Fixer - Kodak Photo-Flo - Hypo Clearing Agent - Darkroom Trays - Chemical Storage Jugs - Nitrile Gloves - Film Archival Storage Sleeves - Archival Storage Binder - Archival Print Storage Boxes

Note: I participate in affiliate programs where I earn a small commission on some select products that I provide links for on my website at www.timlaytonfineart.com. When you use these links, I earn a small commission and there is no additional charge to you.

Comments

Michael Wellman(non-registered)

Thanks for this recommendation. Weston is one of my favorite photographers and I have many of his books. I was unaware of his earlier works and after reading your review I knew I had to have this book. The writing of Westons earlier years is superb and is as good as the pictures themselves. I love his images from this time. They are simply gorgeous. Now I have to go and see them in person. Thanks Tim.

No comments posted.