Ace photographer Edward Weston was born on March 24, 1886, in Illinois, USA. In 1932, he co-founded the influential 'Group F/64,' with Ansel Adams and Willard Van Dyke. His famous works, mostly done with an 8" X 10" view camera, included a series of landscapes, nudes, and still life. His interest in still life, especially certain vegetable, as evident in his "Pepper #30," was rooted into the initial years of his career, which started more as a hobby. After being gifted a Kodak camera in the year 1902, Weston began photography in the public parks of Chicago and at his aunt's farm.
Edward had an uncanny ability to bring out sensuality even in the vegetated life. His frames covering the ordinary peppers (vegetable) formed a complete body of work, with over 60 different photographs. The picture that earned him highest acclaims belonged to this series, titled "Pepper #30," which was taken in the year 1930. It is a black and white shot, closely focusing on a curved pepper. Weston was highly fascinated by the shapes and curves of this vegetable, which, according to him, carries an analogy to the human body. A careful and well-prepared shot of these peppers also gave an impression of magnificent abstract sculptures. One glance on "Pepper #30" makes it look like a picture of a well-carved figure, with an underlying voluptuousness. Only a closer examination reveals the object as an ordinary vegetable. Weston was a master of the use of light in all his works, especially the still life. The mesmerizing power of "Pepper #30" is greatly attributed to the effect of light. The source of light is placed transverse above, such that it illuminates the frontal portion of the vegetable. The frame can be divided into two portions - the upper one with pitch-dark background and the lower one, which is partially lit. The brightly shining upper half of the pepper remarkably stands out against the black background, whereas the lower half is demarcated only by its own shadow.
Edward Weston took a great care in capturing the frame from an angle that portrays the pepper in three dimensions, rather than as a flat image. Deciding upon the darkness of the original print is also challenging for images that thrive upon the interplay of lighting. Weston's rich experience is demonstrated from "Pepper #30," the 23.97 cm X 19.05 cm print of optimum strength that underscores the sensuality and the mellowness of the picture. The prodigious appreciation of an isolated piece of an otherwise common object is what makes Edward's this work, an epitome of artistry!
Annette Labedzki received her BFA at the Emily Carr College of Art and Design in Vancouver, B.C. Canada. She has more than 25 years experience. She is the founder and developer of an online art gallery featuring original art from all over the world. It is a great site for art collectors to buy original art. Is is also a venue for artists to display and sell their art . Artists can join for free and their image upload is unlimited. Please visit the website at http://www.Labedzki-Art.com.
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