The camera sees more than the eye, so why not make use of it? Edward Weston More Quotes by Edward Weston More Quotes From Edward Weston The great scientist dares to differ from accepted 'facts' - think irrationally - let the artist do likewise. Edward Weston artistfactsthinking There is nothing like a Bach fugue to remove me from a discordant moment... only Bach hold up fresh and strong after repeated playing. I can always return to Bach when the other records weary me. Edward Weston recordsphotographystrong I see my finished platinum print (in the viewfinder) in all its desired qualities, before my exposure. Edward Weston exposurequalityphotography Arguments against photography ever being considered a fine art are: the element of chance which enters in, — finding things ready-made for a machine to record, and of course the mechanics of the medium. I say that chance enters into all branches of art. Edward Weston photographyopportunityart Since the recording process is instantaneous, and the nature of the image such that it cannot survive corrective handwork, it is obvious that the finished print must be created in full before the film is exposed. Edward Weston filmphotographyprocess Now one does not think during creative work: any more than one thinks when driving a car. One has a background of years — learning — unlearning— success — failure — dreaming — thinking — experience — back it goes — farther back than one's ancestors: all this, — then the moment of creation, the focussing of all into the moment. So I can make — "without thought" — fifteen carefully-considered negatives one every fifteen minutes, — given material with as many possibilities. Edward Weston eyedreamthinking Results alone should be appraised; the way in which these are achieved is of importance only to the maker. Edward Weston resultsmakersway People who wouldn't think of taking a sieve to the well to draw water fail to see the folly in taking a camera to make a painting. Edward Weston photographypeoplethinking It seems so utterly naive that landscape - not that of the pictorial school - is not considered of "social significance" when it has a far more important bearing on the human race of a given locale than excrescences called cities. Edward Weston photographyraceschool Restricting too personal, and therefore prejudiced, interpretation leads to revolution - the fusion of an inner and outer reality derived from the wholeness of life - sublimating things seen into things known. Edward Weston fusionrevolutionreality If I am interested, amazed, stimulated to work, that is sufficient reason to thank the gods, and go ahead! Edward Weston amazedinterestreason The painters have no copyright on modern art!... I believe in, and make no apologies for, photography: it is the most important graphic medium of our day. It does not have to be, indeed cannot be - compared to painting - it has different means and aims. Edward Weston photographybelieveart I always work better when I do not reason, when no question of right or wrong enter in,-when my pulse quickens to the form before me without hesitation nor calculation. Edward Weston pulseformreason I start with no preconceived idea - discovery excites me to focus - then rediscovery through the lens - final form of presentation seen on ground glass, the finished print previsioned completely in every detail of texture, movement, proportion, before exposure - the shutter's release automatically and finally fixes my conception, allowing no after manipulation - the ultimate end, the print, is but a duplication of all that I saw and felt through my camera. Edward Weston glassesphotographyideas It's hard not to tell the truth with a camera. Artists are particularly good at that. Edward Weston camerastelling-the-truthartist A photograph has no value unless it looks exactly like a photograph and nothing else. Edward Weston valuesphotographlooks I don't care if you make a print on a bath mat, just as long as it is a good print. Edward Weston bathscarelong Photography suits the temper of this age - of active bodies and minds. It is a perfect medium for one whose mind is teeming with ideas, imagery, for a prolific worker who would be slowed down by painting or sculpting, for one who sees quickly and acts decisively, accurately. Edward Weston photographyperfectideas The creative force in man recognizes and records these rhythms with the medium most suitable to him, the object, or the moment, feeling the cause, the life within the outer form. Recording unfelt facts, acquired by rule, results in sterile inventory. To see the Thing Itself is essential: the quintessence revealed direct without the fog of impressionism - the casual noting of the superficial phase, a transitory mood. Edward Weston fogcreativitymen I was extravagant in the matter of cameras - anything photographic - I had to have the best. But that was to further my work. In most things I have gone along with the plainest - or without. Edward Weston camerasphotographymatter
