Edward Weston
Analysis
Edward Weston was one of the most innovative and influential American photographers of all time. For over 40 years he photographed a range of subjects including landscapes, still lives and portraits. Many of his photographs were made using a large view camera and slide film. In 1930 Weston began taking close-ups of vegetables and fruit. The most famous of these is a series of photos of peppers. The pictures are examples of how simple objects can be made to look beautiful by using their shape and the right light. If the the peppers were lit from a different angle the pictures would look boring. I also like how they look like twisted human or animal shapes.
Edward Weston was one of the most innovative and influential American photographers of all time. For over 40 years he photographed a range of subjects including landscapes, still lives and portraits. Many of his photographs were made using a large view camera and slide film. In 1930 Weston began taking close-ups of vegetables and fruit. The most famous of these is a series of photos of peppers. The pictures are examples of how simple objects can be made to look beautiful by using their shape and the right light. If the the peppers were lit from a different angle the pictures would look boring. I also like how they look like twisted human or animal shapes.
My Response
I made a series of pictures using fruit and vegetables found in our kitchen at home. I used a torch to light the objects from the side or above. This was to try and make strong shadows and more interesting shapes. I then converted the photos to black and white because Edward Weston's work was also in black and white.
I made a series of pictures using fruit and vegetables found in our kitchen at home. I used a torch to light the objects from the side or above. This was to try and make strong shadows and more interesting shapes. I then converted the photos to black and white because Edward Weston's work was also in black and white.
What Went Well
I think that most of the pictures look good because of the shapes made by the vegetables and the dark shadows. I cropped the photos to get rid of messy parts of the pictures or parts of them that were not needed. The best pictures were the ones with the most simple shapes.
Even Better If
The set of images would have been better if I had tried to find compositions that were as simple as possible. Some of the the pictures look bad because they are very messy. I think I could have chosen cleaner and more simple items to photograph. Edwards Weston's peppers are nice and shiny and reflect the light. Most of the vegetables I photographed are dull, I should have chosen items with shiny surfaces.
Top Three
Below are my three best images from the project.
I think that most of the pictures look good because of the shapes made by the vegetables and the dark shadows. I cropped the photos to get rid of messy parts of the pictures or parts of them that were not needed. The best pictures were the ones with the most simple shapes.
Even Better If
The set of images would have been better if I had tried to find compositions that were as simple as possible. Some of the the pictures look bad because they are very messy. I think I could have chosen cleaner and more simple items to photograph. Edwards Weston's peppers are nice and shiny and reflect the light. Most of the vegetables I photographed are dull, I should have chosen items with shiny surfaces.
Top Three
Below are my three best images from the project.