Kim Weston

is a third-generation member of one of the most creative families in photography. He learned his craft assisting his father, Cole Weston, in the darkroom making gallery prints from his grandfather's, Edward Weston, original negatives. Kim also worked for many years as an assistant to his uncle Brett, whose bold, abstract photographs rank as some of the finest examples of modern photographic art.

After spending countless hours and producing thousands of images in both his fathers' and Brett's darkrooms, Kim felt he needed to prove that the process of making a photo in the dark room was more rewarding and important compared to the image. Therfore, for ten years Kim made only one print of each image, and mounted the negative on the back.

"The great thing about this thing we call art is that it has no rules. I wouldn't have it any other way.”

For the past six years, Kim and his wife, Gina Weston, have been sharing their passion, artistry and unique photographic vision with a select group of participants at several workshops held at Wildcat Hill, Edward Weston's former home in the Carmel Highlands. Each workshop combines practical, hands-on instruction in camera and darkroom technique with informal lectures and field trips that immerse participants in the history of the Weston family's contributions to fine art photography.

The Weston Photographic Workshops are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to embrace one's own creative spirit. Each workshop is open to photographers at all levels of experience. The only requirement is a love for the beauty and expressive potential of the photographic image.

"What I've learned as an artist and photographer is we all take from our artistic endeavors what we as individuals need to make the process unique and fulfilling to ourselves," says Kim. "I'm always learning from my students, and hope they take away a renewed passion and interest in photography as an art and lifestyle."

Kim's Artist's Statement :

"I make pictures which are meant to be direct and truthful. I do not explain or rationalize this work or my passion for it. I leave it to the viewer to find the surprises. I hope the work generates feelings; otherwise I have failed".

Kim's view of his work:

"The photographic process is an internal part of my life. It is the process of camera, vision and execution. All steps to a statement either capturing in its whole a (vision) or an interpretation of a feeling hopefully interpreted by the viewer. But through the whole process the finished product must be an immaculate rendition of the vision, the surface is of paramount importance. Which is something I do well and have for 30 years plus. My painted photographs have given me a release from surface importance and visual certainty. I can take my image and tweak it to another dimension which if I think about it was my original direction and interpretation of the subject to begin with".

Kim has been a fine art photographer for 30 years specializing in large format photography. His main body of work consists of silver contact prints made from 8x10 negatives. In addition to the 8x10 format he prints in 11x14 and 16x20 sizes. Kim also photographs with a Mamiya 67 that he inherited from his father Cole Weston. He prints in Platinum and lately he has added paint to his photographs.



Opinion


One can always tell the level of commitment one has by how much they love. If Kim Weston did not love making photographs his works would be of low quality and worth. Just the shear love and pleasure in creating something raises the creater's expectations of themselves and changes the way others see them.

All the #1's in the world got where they are by sacrificeing time and effort to create perfection in something they love. If they did not love their actions would be flawed (usually in the name of a good pay check) and their end results would be rubbish.

When one becomes famous and/or are admired for something they love it never really seems like fame. It allows people to be humble and self respecting rather than egotistical and demeaning to others. Those that love make and create because they care about what they are doing. Often times it matters little if others enjoy or appreciate what is being created so long as the creater finds worth in it (whether it be self-worth or simple satifaction with the end result).

In this way, an image can be absolutely devoid of meaning yet still present itself as an artistic challenge in the form of craftsmanship. Superior craft usually trumps works with great content but are made without love.