Was Edward Weston using 4X5 with girlfriend and only contact print ?

[GregY]

Why is it unimportant? Brett’s prints of his father’s negatives were clearly better.

When i look at a photo (not side by side copies) i don't think ....how could this be better....

 

[Don_ih]

Brett was a better printer

He was incubated in a darkroom, so it's not surprising.

 

[MarkS]

The issue of Edward's prints vs. the later prints made by Brett is covered in detail in the introduction to one of the "Weston's Westons" books- perhaps "California and the West".
Which prints are "better" is a personal opinion... should we respect the artist's original intent, as expressed in Edward's prints? Brett's prints of the same negatives reflect (to an extent) his own vision- although each was approved by Edward himself.
I don't think anyone has studied the prints Cole made in the 1970s and later, from Edward's negatives, against the ones made by EW or BW.
That would be interesting... but in this case "better" is in the eye of the beholder... and none of them are wrong.

 

[Pieter12]

The issue of Edward's prints vs. the later prints made by Brett is covered in detail in the introduction to one of the "Weston's Westons" books- perhaps "California and the West".
Which prints are "better" is a personal opinion... should we respect the artist's original intent, as expressed in Edward's prints? Brett's prints of the same negatives reflect (to an extent) his own vision- although each was approved by Edward himself.
I don't think anyone has studied the prints Cole made in the 1970s and later, from Edward's negatives, against the ones made by EW or BW.
That would be interesting... but in this case "better" is in the eye of the beholder... and none of them are wrong.

I think the fact that Edward approved Brett's prints might be an admission that Brett was a better printer. There is no shame if someone is more technically adept. Kim (Cole's son) might be able to weigh in on this, having worked with both Cole and Brett and surrounded by his grandfather's images. Pretty much all the Westons seemed (and continue) to be excellent printers from what I have seen in person. Maybe Brett was just a bit better than his father.

 

[GregY]

& look at prints....not copies in books