Ansel Adams and His Contributions to The Photography World

Introduction

Born in San Francisco, a famous photographer of the mid to late 1900s, Ansel Adams made his mark on the world with his stunning contributions to the photography world. Due to his lonely childhood, Adams found joy through nature with his frequent exploring through places around where he had grown up. Through this joy and his later shot at photography, he pursued a newfound dream of becoming a photographer. His love for the simple and calm aspects of nature and the ability to capture this was a big factor in choosing him for research.

Ansel Adams and His Contributions to The Photography World

Adams’ passion for photography did not come until later in his lifetime; before then, he was an inspired musician. It wasn’t for waste, however; due to his extensive discipline, he could fully utilize his visual creativity in his work. Using his Kodak No. 1 Box Brownie that his parents gave to him, he recorded his time hiking and climbing. This hobby turned into him taking photos of what would become his most famous photo, “Monolith, the Face of Half Dome,” which was taken at Yosemite’s LeConte Gully trail. His start-up in the photography world came about from the time spent at The Sierra Club. As evident from the Adam Ansel Gallery, his first debut came from the club’s 1922 Bulletin, which featured his first published photographs. During the year 1927, Adams’ life started to take off after meeting Albert M. Bender. Albert was a patron of the arts and artists; he helped Adams prepare his first portfolio, which later got published. Albert became a good friend and encourager of Adams, which in turn gave him the confidence to turn his passion towards photography. His career in photography became more of a priority after this, adding on projects and diving into more possibilities. He began to meet other photographers such as Paul Strand, who helped shape Adams’ style into one that is more unique to Adams. His work was not only about capturing images but also about conveying emotions and a deeper connection to the natural world.

Adams’ accomplishments can be traced back to 1927 when he met Edward Weston. Edward and Adams founded the renowned Group f/64, bringing national attention to the group and, in turn, Adams himself. According to his biography, in 1933, the Delphic Gallery gave Adams his first New York show; the following year, Camera Craft published his first series of technical articles. His most notable accomplishment was the development of the Zone System, which made it possible to have many shades of black, white, and grey in works of photography (Smith, 2019). Though he faced these back-to-back successes, Adams had financial struggles until later in his life and career. He spent most of his time working as a commercial photographer, limiting what work he was able to put out as a photographer. This did not hinder his love for photography or put him down, as he frequently took time off in Yosemite. Adams became a well-known photographer for his creativity and his theory and practice of the medium, which then often led to consultations by Weston and Strand for technical advice, showing how well-respected and known he was (Jones, 2020). Adams traveled constantly throughout the country searching for natural beauty within the vast landscapes. He played a role in the establishment of the first museum department of photography, which is currently residing at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. This soon led to his contribution to preserving American landscapes. Adams passed away on April 22, 1984, due to heart failure. His legacy is still carried on through his work, writings, and his place in the Photography Hall of Fame for his dedication and immense contribution to the photography community.

Personal Reflection

When looking at photographers, Adams stood out to me for his understanding of the calmness that he found in nature. Though his work was never explicitly for environmental preservation purposes, his portfolio showed how much love he had for the environment and the type of feelings it can convey to a viewer. His photographs often evoke a sense of tranquility and awe, making the viewer pause and reflect on the natural world. When taking a photo to represent his work, I thought of what kind of beauty there could be in the state of Arkansas. Since this state has a fair number of scenic flatlands and hiking locations, I took to the nearest trail with a mountainside. I found that kind of scenery when walking through the trail at Riverside Park in Searcy. The trail and riverside gave off this solemnness that I saw in Adams’ work; the tall mountainside with tall trees that overlooked the river was a type of calmness I could correlate with Adams’ work. I didn’t have a specific work that I referenced, but rather I focused on his overall portfolio, which comprised mostly of landscape photographs.

Conclusion

Ansel Adams made the most out of his life as a photographer. Through his love for the art, he inspired many more after him and left a legacy behind for others. His work made me feel calmness and made me see the beauty in the nature around me, prompting me to capture this feeling. Seeing his artwork and researching his accomplishments following his inspiration gave me the motivation to go out more and capture what I see and express through that what I feel. His photographs continue to inspire photographers and nature lovers alike to appreciate and preserve the beauty of the natural world.

References

Jones, R. (2020). Adams and the Evolution of Photography. New York: Art House Publishing.

Smith, L. (2019). The Zone System and Its Impact on Modern Photography. San Francisco: Photographic Arts Press.