merg_ross

<p>James and Les, thanks for looking, and for the comments.<br>

Merg</p>

<p>Mikael,<br />Thank you, I appreciate the feedback. My daughter did the design, and will be pleased to hear.</p>

<p>Charles, thanks for looking, and for the kind comments.</p>

<p>The annual update of my website has just been completed. The images span the years 1953-2009. Please have a look.<br>

<a href="http://www.mergross.com">www.mergross.com</a></p>

<p>Much of the foregoing information is correct.<br>

I am not familiar with John Woods' photograph of Brett at Point Lobos, however, the Photography West Gallery in Carmel has used my portrait of Brett on their website for several years. It was also made at Point Lobos, in 1969 (and is on my website).<br>

I hope that John's book is eventually published.<br>

<a href="http://www.mergross.com">www.mergross.com</a></p>

<p> </p>

Thank you for the kind comments, Vick and Fred. Yes, I was fortunate to have been bitten by the photo bug at a young age, and having the opportunity to meet some of the early "stars". I didn't think much about it at the time, but seeing how highly regarded some of them are today, makes those early memories special.

My website of large format images has been updated today with the addition of about three dozen images. Please

have a look and report any problems. Thanks.

 

www.mergross.com

I have a 45cm Apo-Nikkor (Nippon Kogaku No.5781) with Waterhouse stops.This was purchased around 1960. The accompanying brochure lists coverage @ 1:1 as 35x43 cm or 14 x 17 inches. There were also 30cm and 60cm versions.

 

Merg Ross

John,

Try, The Filter Connection (www.2filter.com). I purchased a 60mm & 57mm for Schneider lens last year. Phone: 1-800-882-2832.

The Spectrum Gallery in Fresno will be exhibiting my large format

photography from April 30 through May 23. This is a retrospective

show of work produced from 1953 to 2003. My home base is in the Bay

Area and I will be at the gallery reception on May 2 from 2-5. For

gallery hours please check www.spectrumphotogallery.org. The

gallery is a non-profit organization whose mission is to educate the

public about fine art photography.

 

Regards,

 

Merg Ross

I believe it is Dan Smith from Utah.

John,

I also have the "Message from the West Coast" portfolio in which my father, Donald Ross, is represented. As you may know, each photographer received a portfolio, five were available in the United States and the balance ended up in Japan, mostly in museums.

 

Two years ago this month I contacted Sotheby's to get an idea of value. At that time they felt the auction market value for the portfolio was below their minimum consignment level of $3,000-$5,000. They referred me to the director of Photographs for Sothebys.com, Nigel Russell. Mr. Russell contacted me but I decided to hold on to the portfolio for the time being.

 

Please let me know what you discover in your search.

 

Regards,

 

Merg Ross

The original "Time in New England", published in 1950, has 106 reproductions of which 15 to 20 could be considered nature closeups. The reproducrions are not particularly good, in my opinion, but probably worth the $6.00 jacket price.

I need to make slides (35mm) from a large number of exhibition black

and white photographs. In the past I have used color reversal film

but was never completely satisfied with the results due to a lack of

true blacks and whites. Is there currently a process available using

black and white reversal film? Thanks for suggestions.

This was my first 8x10 view camera in the 1950's. If you are interested in using it to make photographs you will not be disappointed. The front can be easily modified for tilt.

To expand slightly on Mark's and DJ's correct comments.

 

In Mexico Edward used the 8X10 View and 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 Graflex. For lenses were the Wollensak Verito f:4 and Graf Variable (an anastigmat corrected for f:3.8) and the Rapid Rectilinear 11 1/4" in barrel which he used with a Packard shutter. This is the lens he gave to Brett in 1937, who later passed it on to the Eastman House.

Bill, should you happen to have access to a copy of Edward Weston/Fifty Years (Aperture, 1973) please compare those reproductions with the Huntington book. I believe you will see a pronounced difference, Aperture being more faithful to the original prints. Pay particular attention to the highlights. Regards.

I have to agree with Michael on this one. The reproductions are far too contrasty and bear little resemblance to the scale of an EW print.

 

That said, the book deserves a place in a Weston collection.

FWIW: For those on a budget Calumet is now offering a package

including: a used 400-Series 4x5 camera,case, new 150mm Caltar II-E

lens, focusing cloth and four film holders for US$399.00. I still own

several of the 400 series purchased in the 1960's when starting my

career as a freelancer and can attest to their durability. By no

means fancy but surely an economical approach to large format. Just a

thought for those contemplating spending thousands on their first

exposure. Get hooked and you may well spend thousands later.

Tim, I have two of the 15" Apo Raptars of which you speak. I think your question has been adequately addressed but will add the following: the reverse printing appears on the "Wollensak Rochester U.S.A." lens while the non reverse lens is simply "Wollensak U.S.A."

A very sad day, indeed. My condolences to Steve's family and friends.

Steve, I wish you a speedy recovery and thank you again for all of your past help.

Merg

Bill-

Cole's comment regarding Chandler and his father ring true. I never met Chandler but knew Brett very well. He had not spoken to Chandler for years because of disparaging comments Chandler had made about Edward. Brett, of course, was very close to his father and as a result harbored a great deal of animus toward Chandler. While Edward was alive Neil and his family lived on an adjacent parcel in a house that Neil had constructed. I recall that during this period Brett often visited his mother at her home in Carmel proper. I don't recall her ever living with Neil's family but that could be. I don't believe Flora remarried. She was born in 1879.

Karl-

Yes, I was referring to the Amy Conger book on the Weston archive at CCP. There is a short (50 page) biography included that is excellent. It is good to hear that Dr. Conger may be working on a more extensive biography.

The Amy Conger biography (to which Karl refers) was printed in 1992 and copyrighted by the CCP in Arizona. It is a massive book with hundreds of reproductions (1,826 to be exact). Priced at $100 and well worth the price. ISBN-0-938262-21-1.