Bob W wrote: > > > Brett Weston, considered a great photographer by many, burned > > all of his negatives. Some others have punched holes in the > > negs with paper punches. A few have put X marks on them with > > permanent markers. > > > > That's a terrible, terrible thing to do. Like burning an author's first > drafts or notebooks, or Rembrandt's preparatory sketches. And all for the > sake of money. > > Bob
Bob - I don't think it was all for the sake of money. I just learned of that story about Weston here, but my guess is he did that late in life, fearing things he did not want people to see would get published. If the x marks and holes went on good works (at least ones the photographer felt were his best) then that could argued it was for money, but if he did it knowing he was close to death, I don't think it was about money. I think putting x marks on negs or punching holes in ones you want to make sure NEVER get to a print is not so terrible. Also, destroying one's early drafts of work probably isn't for money either... since those would be worth MORE. ann
