I missed the USED retailers! Thanks, John.
Wonderful thread. I just ordered the book Merg referenced from Amazon (one of the used book retailers). I look forward to receiving the two new Brett Weston portfolios from Lodima Press.
John
Merg, can you give us some insight as to why he added the Mamiya RB 67 to his list of cameras he used? I was also wondering what the model / make of the metal tripod he was using in the Art Wright film. I remember having a metal tripod in school and I enjoyed it very much, aluminum with flip locks on the independent legs. I also notice that the tripod is not that tall and he used the center column to bring it up to height in some instances. I enjoy that film frequently and would recommend it to anyone. Still smoke a pipe?
Best,
Curt
Yes the pipe, Brett called it his "social crutch". He was a shy individual, although those who did not know him well would refer to his large ego. Not the case, but fame is often accompanied by distortion.
It is important to realize that Brett was very poor until about 1968. This changed with the sale of his dad's work, along with a large number of his own, to Bill Lane. Before that, "snake time" was accompanied with cheap sherry on ice, unless an "affluent" guest would arrive with Brett's favorite, Jim Beam. Sometimes I had the honor.
I mention this state of finances, because much of what is associated with Brett occurred after 1968; his fancy cars, three houses, expensive darkroom and field equipment, and numerous trips abroad.
As to his 120 film cameras, prior to receiving the Rollei outfit, he had used the TLR Mamiyaflex, mostly for portraits. The Rollei, however, had many advantages as noted earlier, and was responsible for much of the work for which Brett is famous. Obviously, work that would not have been possible with the large camera. With his finances in a healthy state, he was able to add other roll film cameras, including a Pentax, and Mamiya SLR. He usually had the 5x7 Linhof with him on trips after he was unable to use the 8x10.
The first significant health problem to beset Brett was in 1979. What was diagnosed as a spider bite, developed into a massive infection and loss of muscle in his arm. I visited him in the hospital and he was in a predictable low state. However, he had something he wanted to show me that afternoon that brought a smile to his face; the architectural drawings of the house that he was going to build in Waikoloa. The house was completed in 1980. Brett was released from the hospital two days after my visit, but his big camera days were pretty much over.
As for me, I gave up the pipe fifteen years ago. Brett introduced me to the vice at an early age. Every so often Brett would give up his pipes, with a great ceremony of burning the briar in his fireplace; "Merg, I'm quitting for good", he would announce, much to my disappointment, because we liked to share tobacco. However, the cessation was short, and by our next visit he had been to Walgreen's to pick up a couple of cheap pipes. He would break in a new pipe by filling it, lighting it, and holding it out the truck window as he sped down the highway. This was a ritual that I witnessed many times over the years.
Yes the pipe, Brett called it his "social crutch". He was a shy individual, although those who did not know him well would refer to his large ego. Not the case, but fame is often accompanied by distortion.
It is important to realize that Brett was very poor until about 1968. This changed with the sale of his dad's work, along with a large number of his own, to Bill Lane. Before that, "snake time" was accompanied with cheap sherry on ice, unless an "affluent" guest would arrive with Brett's favorite, Jim Beam. Sometimes I had the honor.
I mention this state of finances, because much of what is associated with Brett occurred after 1968; his fancy cars, three houses, expensive darkroom and field equipment, and numerous trips abroad.
As to his 120 film cameras, prior to receiving the Rollei outfit, he had used the TLR Mamiyaflex, mostly for portraits. The Rollei, however, had many advantages as noted earlier, and was responsible for much of the work for which Brett is famous. Obviously, work that would not have been possible with the large camera. With his finances in a healthy state, he was able to add other roll film cameras, including a Pentax, and Mamiya SLR. He usually had the 5x7 Linhof with him on trips after he was unable to use the 8x10.
The first significant health problem to beset Brett was in 1979. What was diagnosed as a spider bite, developed into a massive infection and loss of muscle in his arm. I visited him in the hospital and he was in a predictable low state. However, he had something he wanted to show me that afternoon that brought a smile to his face; the architectural drawings of the house that he was going to build in Waikoloa. The house was completed in 1980. Brett was released from the hospital two days after my visit, but his big camera days were pretty much over.
As for me, I gave up the pipe fifteen years ago. Brett introduced me to the vice at an early age. Every so often Brett would give up his pipes, with a great ceremony of burning the briar in his fireplace; "Merg, I'm quitting for good", he would announce, much to my disappointment, because we liked to share tobacco. However, the cessation was short, and by our next visit he had been to Walgreen's to pick up a couple of cheap pipes. He would break in a new pipe by filling it, lighting it, and holding it out the truck window as he sped down the highway. This was a ritual that I witnessed many times over the years.
Merg - Always thankful for your stories about Brett. Your excellent portrait of him hangs in my work area. Knowing him as well as you did, what do you think he would make of photography today?
Mr. Ross...your contributions to this thread are a true delight, I always enjoy reading your posts - thank you... and, by the way, your photographic images are right up there with the great B&W talents.
Andrew
Merg;
I just received the Brett DVD from Art Wright. I watched it today. Great stuff!! I really enjoyed it. I ordered the book from Carl Mautz but it hasn't arrived yet.
Thank you again for those links
Best
Paul
Just ordered the DVD. THis is one of the most interesting and informative post in a very long time. Thanks for taking the time Merg to share with us. Very gracious of you.
Cheers!
The DVD is great, I've had one for quite a while and view it every once and a while, in the darkroom Art doesn't show any enlarging equipment, Merg can you tell us what enlarger he used? I had the opportunity to buy Cole Weston's enlarger, but it was extremely large and heavy. I received a nice letter from a family member, the enlarger was in storage in Carmel disassembled and just taking up space, I would have had to build another darkroom just to fit it in.
Curt
One more request for a PDF of the article, I'd love to read what Aiken wrote back then.
It is rather amusing to see all of these people popping up to request the article for free, but I wonder if they would be up in arms if the copyright of a photographer was infringed upon in a similar manner....
Just thinking out loud.
"Permitted Uses also may be undertaken remotely through secure access methods:
on an ad hoc basis and without commercial gain, sharing discrete Textual Content or Specimens with an individual who is not an Authorized User for purposes of collaboration, comment, or the scholarly exchange of ideas"
From JSTOR Tos.
.... Brett was very intuitive in his selection and composing. He was very confident in his abilities, so did not need to resort to analytical appraisals.
Precisely!
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