Research Notes: Ansel Adams -

Photographer Research -

Ansel Adams -

Born: February 20th 1902
Died: April 22nd 1984
Place of Birth: San Francisco, USA
Occupation: Naturalist Photographer, Environmental Activist
Notable Places Featured in his Photography: Yosemite National Park
Groups: f/64

• Ansel Adams was the son of a Lumber Business owner which eventually Adams was to inherit until he became an environmental activist.
• In 1916 Adams began developing his passion for photography following a trip to Yosemite National Park.
• Adams learnt darkroom techniques, read magazines and attended a photography club in his early years as a photographer.
• Ansel Adams sold his early works in "Best's Studio".
• Adams later married the daughter of the owner of "Best's Studio" and inherited the business following his father-in-laws death in 1935. The business is continued today under the name of the "Ansel Adams Gallery".
• Adams first professional breakthrough followed the publication of "Parmelian Prints of the High Sierras" which lead to multiple other commercial assignments.
• Adams joined other photographers who were using their work to affects social and political change and became an environmentalist photographer.
• Adams died in 1984, aged 82, after a heart attack. 

The f/64 Group:

Ansel Adams founded the f/64 group which consisted of 7 San Francisco photographers. The higher the f/ value the wider the depth of field meaning more of the image is in focus. These photographers ensure that they have all of their image in focus with extreme detail so that when it comes to the zone system more tone and depth can be created.

1. Ansel Adams
2. Imogen Cunningham
3. John Paul Edwards
4. Sonya Noskowiak
5. Henry Swift
6. Willard Van Dyke
7. Edward Weston

The Zone System:




Translation of The Zone System to Modern Day:
In modern photography the zone system would be most relevant in the editing process f images for example in Photoshop. To achieve the effect of Adams a modern photographer could use histograms to change the tonal contrast of the image to create depth, add drama and improve the subject landscape of the photograph.


Pre-visualisation:
Pre-visualisation refers to picturing how the image will appear as a finished product before it is captured and developed.

Whilst, it can be argued that the concept of pre-visualisation is archaic now due to the use of DSLR cameras rather than film it can still be applied to modern photography. A photographer should pre-visualise how the image will appear after being edited, for example into black and white and through the use of histograms for tonal contrast, and assume how they can best take the photograph.

Ansel Adams Examples:

This image is extremely intense through its use of contrast and tone. The shape of the subject of the image is dramatic and the implementation of the zonal system provides a variation of tonal areas from near black to slight tone. The composition is also well thought through as it complies to the three-part grid system which takes the viewers eye throughout the entirety of the image due to the various focal points. 

This image is also dramatic due to the use of highly contrasted areas. Whilst some may argue that the image does not feature that interesting a subject landscape the zone system and development process feature significantly in this photograph. The leading line of the sand dune draws the eye along and through the image giving it depth whilst the lines on the dune are exaggerated through near black zones and what appears to be pure white zones. 

Finally, this image like the others taken by Ansel Adams, is intense and brooding. The leading line of the meandering river takes the viewer through the image as if they are participating in the taking of the image like Adams himself; the use of the leading line adds depth to the image. The near black zones of the trees cast silhouettes that create an eerie yet beautiful atmosphere within the image whilst the pure white zones on the snow-capped mountains add a sense of conflict between light and dark.