Has anyone seen "The Photographer"

A film by Willard Van Dyke, about Edward Weston and his photography. 25 minutes, black & white, sound. It was issued in 1948 by the US Department of Information.

I just bought a copy on Ebay.

Brian

a full critique will be in order, pleeeeezzz

Totally!

Yes, i have that one. Haven't seen it in a few years, quess i will have to drag it out and give it another look. It is one of the first one I purchased , and that was when it first came out.

I have a copy. It's a bit disappointing as it was shot in the documentary style of the 40s. There are no interviews, no nat (natural) sound. It's simply video of Weston and an assistant working, and a narrator talking. There is not the detail or insight I had hoped for.

OTOH, you do get to see Weston work. At one point, you see him aim the camera and get a bit of a lood at the ground glass. You see him carefully panning the camera to get the view he wants, and see just how close to some subjects he got. You see him in the darkroom with his lightbulb.

It's not what I had hoped for, but it was well worth the $20 that I paid for it.
juan

If you want to see something really lovely, check out "Illuminations, Ruth Bernhard."

Got the movie the other day. I found it interesting. It is in the 1940's documentary style, but it works for a subject like weston. I think it is a Must see for anyone interested in him.

Brian

An actual documentary of Weston would be pornographic....

Robert, You don't like the way he uses a diaphram, or the way he bellows during exposure?

If HE is using the diaphram, he ain't doing it right....

I originally saw this movie in New York at a library. It was an 'actual' film (not a video!) and they had projectors already setup and everything. It was pretty neat. The film was actually a propaganda film shot by the U.S. Gov't to show conquered Germans how nice life in America was and that we didn't eat our dead, etc. That's why it's shot the way it is - no emphasis on E.W.'s art, just a portrayal of his lifestyle in the good old US of A.

Of little interest photographically, but interesting to see. I see they still come up on eBay once in a while and someone even sells them.

The Brett Weston DVD is GREAT. I also have a good video on Oliver Gagliani.

-Mike

I'd like to see the Brett Weston DVD. I'm more interested in his stuff than his pops. Been thinking about picking it up on Ebay.
I heard there was going to be a movie based on Robert Capa's life. Anyone heard anything about that?
The Rat

Magic Rat,

PBS recently ran a Robert Capa documentary, I think on "American Masters". I thought it was good. Check with PBS. Maybe they can tell you when it can be viewed again in your location. I think PBS sells VHS tapes of most programs.

I'd like to see the Brett Weston DVD. I'm more interested in his stuff than his pops. Been thinking about picking it up on Ebay.
I heard there was going to be a movie based on Robert Capa's life. Anyone heard anything about that?
The Rat
I own both Weston movies. The Brett Weston one is pretty good, although he is kind of a mumbler when it comes to talking. IT is hard to pick out what he is saying in several parts.