Ansel Adams
Ansel Easton Adams was a famous Californian photographer, born February 20, 1902 and died April 22, 1984 (age 82). On top of being a big-time photographer, Adams was also an environmentalist, which really shows in his black and white landscape photos. He specifically photographed the American West, especially Yosemite park, and these photos have been widely used on calendars, posters, and in many different books.
Working alongside Fred Archer, Adams developed the Zone System, which was a way to determine proper exposure and to adjust the contrast of the final print- resulting in clarity and characteristic of a certain depth. Adams used large- formatted cameras because their high resolution ensured a high sharpness in his images.
In 1927, Adams produced his first portfolio, where he targeted the sky and created a blackened effect using a dark red filter. He became more established between 1929 and 1942, his photographs maturing and becoming more well-known in the professional world.
Adams did experiment in photographing with color, but he simply preferred shooting in black and white. He felt color was distracting and diverted an artist's attention away from achieving his full potential when taking a photograph. He also felt he had more control with black and white, as he is sometimes nicknamed the "Master of Control"
Adams died on April 22,1984 at the age of 82 from cardiovascular disease. He was survived by his wife, two children, and five grandchildren. Publishing rights for most of his photographs are now handled by the trustees of The Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust.
I chose to research Ansel Adams because I have always been a fan of his work. My dad introduced me to him a few years ago when he looked at a picture I took and told me it slightly resembled Adams. I've been fascinated by the landscapes Adams has portrayed. I was also always curious why he primarily used only black and white and why his works shot in color aren't very well known.
Working alongside Fred Archer, Adams developed the Zone System, which was a way to determine proper exposure and to adjust the contrast of the final print- resulting in clarity and characteristic of a certain depth. Adams used large- formatted cameras because their high resolution ensured a high sharpness in his images.
In 1927, Adams produced his first portfolio, where he targeted the sky and created a blackened effect using a dark red filter. He became more established between 1929 and 1942, his photographs maturing and becoming more well-known in the professional world.
Adams did experiment in photographing with color, but he simply preferred shooting in black and white. He felt color was distracting and diverted an artist's attention away from achieving his full potential when taking a photograph. He also felt he had more control with black and white, as he is sometimes nicknamed the "Master of Control"
Adams died on April 22,1984 at the age of 82 from cardiovascular disease. He was survived by his wife, two children, and five grandchildren. Publishing rights for most of his photographs are now handled by the trustees of The Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust.
I chose to research Ansel Adams because I have always been a fan of his work. My dad introduced me to him a few years ago when he looked at a picture I took and told me it slightly resembled Adams. I've been fascinated by the landscapes Adams has portrayed. I was also always curious why he primarily used only black and white and why his works shot in color aren't very well known.
Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico 1941
Some may call this Ansel Adams’ most popular image, and it probably is. The photograph became so popular and collectible that Adams personally made over 1,300 photographic prints of it during his long career.
The picture has three separate elements, the town of Hernandez in the foreground, a rim of clouds illuminated on the horizon by the setting sun and the glowing moon alone in the dark sky above.
Ansel Adams had recalled that he was driving after an unsuccessful day in the field, when he saw a landscape that he wanted to shoot. He only had time for one single exposure before the light changed, and shot this miraculous image quickly, some say it's all by chance. I personally like how he captured the night sky and the setting sun reflecting on the clouds and the mountains, along with the high levels of contrast. There is just so much going on here- the pitch black sky, the white clouds, the gravestones, the mountains. It gives off an almost eerie kind of feeling- especially with the almost full moon and truly fascinates me.
The picture has three separate elements, the town of Hernandez in the foreground, a rim of clouds illuminated on the horizon by the setting sun and the glowing moon alone in the dark sky above.
Ansel Adams had recalled that he was driving after an unsuccessful day in the field, when he saw a landscape that he wanted to shoot. He only had time for one single exposure before the light changed, and shot this miraculous image quickly, some say it's all by chance. I personally like how he captured the night sky and the setting sun reflecting on the clouds and the mountains, along with the high levels of contrast. There is just so much going on here- the pitch black sky, the white clouds, the gravestones, the mountains. It gives off an almost eerie kind of feeling- especially with the almost full moon and truly fascinates me.
Sand Dunes, Sunrise, Death Valley National Monument, California 1948
Adams described what he saw when he shot this: "A searing sun rose over the Funeral Range, and I knew it was to be a hot day. Fortunately I had just arrived at a location where an exciting composition was unfolding. The red-golden light struck the dunes, and their crests became slightly diffuse with sand gently blowing in the early wind. Just then, almost magically, I saw an image become substance: the light of sunrise traced a perfect line down a dune that alternatively glowed with the light and receded in shadow." Adams described how he was able to be on the spot just as the sun rose. He parked nearby and spent the night sleeping on top of his car and waited to shoot the magical moment.
I admire the sense of value and lines Adams captured in this photograph. At first, I questioned what exactly I'm looking at, but then quickly realized. Adams shows the sun reflecting perfectly off of the sand dunes and that the sun is not directly above.
I admire the sense of value and lines Adams captured in this photograph. At first, I questioned what exactly I'm looking at, but then quickly realized. Adams shows the sun reflecting perfectly off of the sand dunes and that the sun is not directly above.
Road, Nevada Desert 1960
The endless road gives the picture dimension. The camera is placed in line with the road on ground level. This is a good example of perspective and balance also plays a part. The pitch black desert is separated from the rough sky by the horizon. The road running directly through the middle of the shot for what seems to be forever. To develop the images of the clouds, Adam's must have "dodged and burned" the sky area because of the different exposure it seems to have while compared to the rest of the photograph.
The main focus of the picture is the endless road traveling towards the mountains ahead. The foreground only shows the closest and flatest part of the road. The middleground shows a drop in the road. this is the part just below the horizon. The back ground is the part above the horizon.The mountain is a small, black area located in the middle of the picture. Above is the sky with large, thick white clouds.
At a local an Ansel Adams exhibition, in the the past year this was subtitled "Thunderbird", which is part of the western Native American culture. Step back a bit and it'll be easy to see why. The car becomes the bird's eye, the road forms the wings, and the road past the car shrinking in the distance forms the beak.
The main focus of the picture is the endless road traveling towards the mountains ahead. The foreground only shows the closest and flatest part of the road. The middleground shows a drop in the road. this is the part just below the horizon. The back ground is the part above the horizon.The mountain is a small, black area located in the middle of the picture. Above is the sky with large, thick white clouds.
At a local an Ansel Adams exhibition, in the the past year this was subtitled "Thunderbird", which is part of the western Native American culture. Step back a bit and it'll be easy to see why. The car becomes the bird's eye, the road forms the wings, and the road past the car shrinking in the distance forms the beak.
Tetons and Snake River, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming 1942
This is also one of Ansel Adam’s most popular images.
Taken in 1942 in northwest Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park, the photo showcases the beauty of the Teton Mountain Range and the Snake River before it, and highlights Adams’ mastery of large format photography and composition for landscapes.
It looks as if the photo was taken very early in the morning, as the sun is just emerging out of the mountains and reflecting off the water.
I think this photograph is very inspiring, because of the lighting. It also shows the dark side and the light side, so on top of high contrast in the photography world, this photo metaphorically contrasts ideas.
Taken in 1942 in northwest Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park, the photo showcases the beauty of the Teton Mountain Range and the Snake River before it, and highlights Adams’ mastery of large format photography and composition for landscapes.
It looks as if the photo was taken very early in the morning, as the sun is just emerging out of the mountains and reflecting off the water.
I think this photograph is very inspiring, because of the lighting. It also shows the dark side and the light side, so on top of high contrast in the photography world, this photo metaphorically contrasts ideas.