Weston Beach, Point Lobos, California

Edward Weston is a photographic hero of mine. His, Pepper #30 is a favorite example of a photograph that achieves the level of timeless art, which is rare in any medium. Pepper #30 is inspiring on many levels. What is it that makes this one, that much better than the others; did he finally find the right pepper? Was it the fact that he photographed peppers more than 30 times? Or, is there some other magical ingredient involved? Is it a combination of composition and exposure; inspiration and execution?

 I’ve also been inspired by several of Weston’s images showing the details of his Point Lobos backyard; the cypress and stonecrop, and of course those pebbly beaches. I’m quite certain repetition is one of the ingredients of his success. It also occurs to me, the images that are most memorable often show rather intimate details in near abstraction. The most successful of his images transcend design and subject matter, to connect with the viewer on a universal level.