Visionary, folk hero, environmental legend and consummate artist, those are just a handful of words often used to describe Ansel Adams. His iconic black & white photography is known by shutter bugs, nature lovers and artists worldwide. However, there may be some folks that have yet to discover his brilliance. For them, here’s a glimpse at a true master of the lens:
Born in San Francisco, Adams was taken with a love of nature early in life. When he reached his teenage years, he parlayed that into work with organizations like the Sierra Club. It was there, in the mid-1920s, that he is said to have launched his remarkable photography career. A series of his initial, notable works was published during the same time period. Known as the Parmelian Prints of the High Sierras Series, it contained 18 jaw-dropping prints, including the Monolith, The Face of Half Dome. It truly shined a spotlight on the region’s unparalleled beauty.
From there, his career expanded to include black & white photography with political and social connections. Among them were his Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico and World War II photos taken at Manzanar. He also switched styles. Some of his early work has been described as pictorialist for their soft focus. Photos taken in his later years, on the other hand, were considered to be more modern and sharply focused. At the time, he wasn’t the only consummate artist to change direction. Others were Laura Gilpin, Edward Weston, Margrethe Mather, Imogen Cunningham and Edward Steichen.
Later, in the mid-1970s, Adams and several others founded the Center for Creative Photography. It is a renowned depository of artwork that remains in existence to this day. It, along with various other institutions scattered across America, contain examples of Adams’ black & white photography. Enthusiasts may also opt to buy prints of his outstanding work through Fulcrum Gallery.
