Happy Birthday, Ansel Adams!

Ansel Adams

(born: February 20, 1902 - died: April 22, 1984)

Ansel Adams was born on February 20, 1902 in San Francisco, California. He grew up near Golden Gate field and broke his nose during the 1906 earthquake that scarred him for life. He was self-conscious about his nose during his schooling which he only received an eighth grade education. From a young age, he was always fascinated with the outdoors, exploring new places. He wanted to pursue a career in music, but learned the photography was his calling.

In 1916, his family took a trip to Yosemite National Park. That is where Ansel took his first amateur shoots. It is said that that was the beginning of his photography career. When he arrived back home, he found a job as a photo technician from a commercial firm. Ansel Adams was an environmentalist and devoted most of his time trying to save the wilderness and so forth. He joined the Sierra Club, which gave him a chance to spend a lot of time in Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada admiring his surroundings.

Ansel’s pictures began to be published in the Sierra Club’s official publication. This is about the time he knew that photography was for him, not music. Some of his first photographs were in Parmelian Prints of the High Sierras and Taos Pueblo. His first official show was held at the M.H. de Young Memorial Museum. Adams continued to open the Ansel Adams Gallery for Arts. In 1937, Ansel moved to Yosemite. There he published many volumes of his photography. His love for the environment has caught on his photography and people know him because of that.

Ansel Adams died on April 22, 1984. He is still known for being one of the best classic photographers and his pictures are still studied by photography students all over the world.

Value is a big element in this photography. You can see the contrast between black and white and all the shades in between. The sky above the mountain gives us a different aspect; whereas; if we did not see the sky, we would not have the same thoughts. Even though this is obviously a black and white photographer, there is an immense amount of color. There are many different shades of grey especially in the sky. The clouds give the picture a spookier effect. You can also see texture in the mountains with the extreme contrast between the snow and the mountain tops.

Evening, McDonald Lake Glacier National Park: Photo by Ansel Adams 

Canyon de Chelly Mational Monument, Arizona
1942