Ansel Adams is practically a household name. I’ve had a deep love and appreciation of his photographs ever since my grandpa gave me a poster of “Moon and Half Dome” when I was in grade school. His black and white perspective and ability to stand for days (rain or shine) waiting for the “perfect” shot really paved the way for many digital photographers today. Ansel was also a huge advocate for saving beautiful places. Often referred to as the “most important landscape photographer of the 20th century,” his landscape photographs like those of Yosemite, the Tetons, New Mexico, and Alaska set the stage for nature photographers across the globe.
One thing I learned about Ansel while researching this assignment was that he was also a pioneer of “sharp” focus breaking from the popular fine art photography of the time. The Encyclopedia Britannica defined this beautifully with this description of his work: “This acute attention to the specifics of the physical world was also the root of his intense appreciation of the landscape in microcosm, in which a detail of the forest floor could be as moving as a grand vista.”
Additionally, Ansel contributed to the photography we know today through his development of “zone systems,” which similar to a histogram, is a tool that can be used to help ensure correct exposure. Ansel’s base rule was: “Expose for the shadows; develop for the highlights.” This range in his black and white photography (or shades of gray) gave incredible contrast, depth, and detail to his prints which was revolutionary at the time.
My favorite of his quotes: "You don't take a photograph, you make it..." - Ansel Adams “Life is your art. An open, aware heart is your camera. A oneness with your world is your film. Your bright eyes and easy smile is your museum.” - Ansel Adams