Who was Ansel Adams?
Ansel Adams was a black and white photographer best known for his landscapes and development of the Zone System. This man single handedly predicted the future of dynamic range and HDR. You could say he created it.
*All images and quotes by Ansel Adams.
– Ansel passed away in 1983 during an Era of Film Development. Today, you could still gain major technique and incredible inspiration from Ansel. The George A. Romero of my Photography world.
Ansel Adams confesses his shortcomings. “I made many drab shots and suffered some embarrassing failures,”
Quoted from a National Geographic interview.
A simple reminder..
“A good photograph is knowing where to stand.“
This applies physically, and mentally. What greater purpose are you fulfilling? And if you’re standing in the right spot surely you’ll nail the composition.
“Photography is more than a medium for factual communication of ideas. It is a creative art.“
He’s saying aside from documentary, and capturing modern innovations with our cameras. We often overlook the Photo as being innovative art itself. Ansel analyzed the channels of his photos to unknown creative boundaries. Something so unique and innovative, that his reputation even now proves that he was successful in this pursuit.
“A true photograph need not be explained, nor can it be contained in words.“
I LOVE this one. I referenced it in my Portrait section. Sometimes we feel enough is said when we just look at the art. Many of Ansel’s landscapes were so diverse and full of depth you could just stare it at and admire the process behind it. However people like Brandon Stanton make a few words with the Photo absolutely breathtaking.
“There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs.“
This is a pretentious statement. There’s definitely rules! Ansel was very methodical. But I figure he means to take those rules and hone them to create a piece of Art that excels standard application. A good photo is a good photo because they followed the rules.
“Dodging and burning are steps to take care of mistakes God made in establishing tonal relationships.“
One of my favorites. Metaphorically this is superb. Dodging and burning is a post process technique used to darken and add contrast to an area. During film you’d submerge your photo in the developer in different areas, for extended periods of time creating a darker layered exposure. You do the same process now via software like Photoshop or Lightroom. Simple click and slide. I think Ansel would very much approve of Photoshop. This quote is also rather comical.
‘Landscape photography is the supreme test of the photographer—and often the supreme disappointment.’
This statement is obvious for landscape photographers. This applies to many varying fields of photography. But the hard truth to it is we can bring the best lens, the best camera, the most secure tripod. But we could still leave that moment in time and review something inaccurate.
‘You don’t take a photograph, you make it.’
One of his most commonly recognized phrases. It has far more emphasis today. People often forget the hours and attention to detail that’s behind each photo. There’s always a creative process. And often no short route to get there.
‘There is nothing worse than a sharp image of a fuzzy concept.’
Buzzfeed.
Really though, you cant portray depth and emotion without a sharp concise image. I talked about this briefly in my Brownies recipe post. How important it is to have that final image, that goal set in your mind.
‘We must remember that a photograph can hold just as much as we put into it, and no one has ever approached the full possibilities of the medium.’
What a profound statement. Remember that a photo is an extension of our passion and ourselves. What we put into the task truly represents our character and limitless potential. How can we get to full potential when the possibilities continue to evolve and evolve?
‘When I’m ready to make a photograph, I think I quite obviously see in my minds eye something that is not literally there in the true meaning of the word. I’m interested in something which is built up from within, rather than just extracted from without.’
*Millie Tibbs – Mount Analogue (above)
Quote by Ansel Adams.
To find something existential from within. Not something you find, capture and take home. What if you could put something INTO the photo. Beyond what metaphysical properties are represented.
Ansel took shadows and highlights to a new level. Development processing, and types of paper and cameras constantly exploring to create. It’s nice to be able to remind ourselves of what Ansel said every now and then.
For further study, pick up the essential collection:
– The Negative, The Camera, The Print –
Purchase as a set, or separately.
Obviously dated, but the insight is incredible and still has some beneficial technique such as the “Zone System”
