Edward Weston - A Legacy

Donald Miller · Dec 7, 2004

EricR said:
Just to let everyone know Michael has sent me the book and I've had it for about 2 weeks. Currently I am doing a type of densitometer analysis of several prints between 3 Weston books I now have. So far the results are interesting. My review will not only encompass the print/reproduction quality but the overall impression and usefulness of the book as both a research tool and just plain nice to look at book.

I hope to have this done by weeks end.

It would be nice to have the actual prints to compare the reflection density of the three books to the actual prints. If anyone has an original Edw Weston print that they would be willing to share for a short indefinite time and that is contained within any of the books I promise that I will do the analysis and return it when I get good and ready...fair enough???

Robert Brummitt · Dec 7, 2004

I went to a EW show recently. I was very impress with the collection and since I work with color I had fun with the dozen color trans of EW's. I also enjoyed the letters and cards from him to his sister and back. There was history in them. I wonder if that will change with computers and email?
The only thing was the room that the prints were shown in was dark compared to the rooms showing paintings. They had maybe 1 single light to each print.
Does anyone know why that was? Are EW's prints fading? Was they lighting such as to make the viewers get close for the details?

Donald Miller · Dec 7, 2004

Robert8x10 said:
I went to a EW show recently. I was very impress with the collection and since I work with color I had fun with the dozen color trans of EW's. I also enjoyed the letters and cards from him to his sister and back. There was history in them. I wonder if that will change with computers and email?
The only thing was the room that the prints were shown in was dark compared to the rooms showing paintings. They had maybe 1 single light to each print.
Does anyone know why that was? Are EW's prints fading? Was they lighting such as to make the viewers get close for the details?

I have noted the same thing regarding the lighting of the EW prints at the Amon Carter in Ft Worth. The light seemed inordinantly dim. The prints that Edward produced have always been acknowledged as being printed very heavy but also very rich. He intended them to be viewed under rather bright light. When viewed under those conditions the prints absolutely glow. It makes me wonder why they are not presented in the manner that he intended.

John McCallum · Dec 7, 2004

EricR said:
Just to let everyone know Michael has sent me the book and I've had it for about 2 weeks. Currently I am doing a type of densitometer analysis of several prints between 3 Weston books I now have. So far the results are interesting. My review will not only encompass the print/reproduction quality but the overall impression and usefulness of the book as both a research tool and just plain nice to look at book.

I hope to have this done by weeks end.

The approach certainly seems comprehensive. Looking forward to your results.

Robert Hall · Dec 7, 2004

I have the Legacy book and a couple of the prints that are in it. I have to say there is a fairly large contrast gain in the reproduction.

I gave it a look while at the Huntington when the show was on, and the show was beautiful. I bought a couple of the books as presents and while I wouldn't say it was a horrible reproduction, I've seen some really bad ones, it does gain contrast.

Michael A. Smith · Dec 16, 2004

Although I am sure our Lodima Press book will have the deepest black tones when measured with a densitometer, that is not the point. The point, as I see it, is which reproductions come closest to the original prints. A few weeks ago Paula and I visited the person who has Edward's own copy of Pepper #30--the best print of it according to Brett, who inherited it. We put the reproduction in our book next to the print. They were very close. And the wife of the couple said, "I like the reproduction better."

Eric Rose · Dec 18, 2004

Michael A. Smith said:
Although I am sure our Lodima Press book will have the deepest black tones when measured with a densitometer, that is not the point. The point, as I see it, is which reproductions come closest to the original prints.

I have to agree with you, however to provide a base line for those that do not have a copy and to eliminate as much subjective analysis as possible that is why I chose to include this type of comparison. It certainly isn't the only thing I am doing. Hope to have the final piece done by the end of the weekend. If I can ever make it back home!

Edward Weston - A Legacy

Donald Miller

Robert Brummitt

Donald Miller

John McCallum

Robert Hall

Michael A. Smith

Eric Rose

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