Weston, Edward. EW 100. Centennial Essays in Honor of Edward Weston.

Issued as Untitled 41 by the Friends of Photography, 1986. Edited by Peter C. Bunnell and David Featherstone. Contributors: Robert Adams, Amy Conger, Andy Grundberg, Therese Thau Heyman, Estelle Jussim, Alan Trachtenberg, Paul Vanderbilt, Mike Weaver and Charis Wilson (formerly married to Edward Weston). VG+ with minor wear. 136 pages, 10 plates, wraps. Summary:

EW 100: Centennial Essays in Honor of Edward Weston is a scholarly tribute published in 1986 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Edward Weston, one of the most influential figures in 20th-century American photography.

Rather than a standard biography, the book is a curated collection of essays that re-examine Weston’s legacy through various lenses—critical, historical, and personal.

Key Themes and Insights

• Evolution of Style: The essays trace Weston's transition from his early Pictorialist roots (soft-focus, painterly images) to his pioneering role in Group f/64, which championed "straight photography" characterized by sharp focus and high contrast.

• The "Weston Eye": Contributors analyze his unique ability to transform everyday objects—peppers, seashells, and cabbage leaves—into semi-abstract, monumental forms that reveal the "essence" of the subject.

• Philosophical Rigor: The book delves into Weston’s intense dedication to his craft, often documented in his Daybooks. It explores how his disciplined approach to "previsualization" (seeing the finished print in his mind before clicking the shutter) changed the medium.

• Personal Reflections: Some essays provide a more intimate look at his life in Carmel, California, and his relationships with other luminaries like Ansel Adams and Tina Modotti.

Notable Contributors

The volume features perspectives from respected curators, historians, and photographers, including:

• Beaumont Newhall: A pioneering photo-historian.

• Amy Conger: A leading Weston scholar.

• Charis Wilson: Weston’s former wife and frequent model, providing firsthand biographical context.

Why It Matters

EW 100 serves as a critical bridge between the romanticized view of Weston as a "lone genius" and a more modern, nuanced understanding of his place within the broader context of Modernism. It remains a vital resource for those looking to understand how photography evolved from a hobbyist’s craft into a sophisticated fine art.