Artist Spotlight: Ansel Adams

When I asked for ideas for inspiring artists awhile back, Ellie mentioned Ansel Adams. I was already a little familiar with his photographs, and he truly was an amazing photographer. So I decided to feature him in my artist spotlight series, and I looked up his photographs online. There are tons of images to be found through the National Archives, and I came across some that I'd never seen before. If you've seen any of Ansel Adams' work, you've probably seen the big, sweeping, beautiful landscapes. Those are amazing, but as I looked through the archives page, I found that he did a lot more than that. So I tried to pick a nice variety of his photos to feature.

This is what I think of when I think of Ansel Adams. A gorgeous black and white nature image that really shows the magnificence of the scene. I like the shadows in this image a lot.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

I love the composition and contrast in this image. The mountaintop is aligned to the rule of thirds grid, which makes for a strong composition. In drawing, when you're using pencil, you want to get a "full value range" by shading different shades of gray from white all the way to almost black. This photo really embodies that concept. The mountaintop is almost black, while the sky just above it is almost completely white.

Coloseum Mountain, King's River Canyon, California

I like these next few images because they hold true to my own experiences. Burned forests I've seen in national parks really do look like this. And geysers in Yellowstone National Park (I saw Old Faithful) really do look like this. I guess it shouldn't surprise me, but I think it's wonderful and amazing that a black and white photo from quite a few decades ago gives such a realistic image of life.

Burned area, Glacier National Park, Montana

Castle Geyser Coye, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Old Faithful Geyser, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

One thing that surprised me a little was to see two close up images of nature in the midst of all of Ansel Adam's wide angle, sweeping landscape photography. This is so different from the well-known Ansel Adams photographs, but it's an excellent image nonetheless. The contrast is very nice.

In Glacier National Park, Montana

I have a thing for power line pictures and power lines as graphic elements. I'm not sure why, but I just really like them. I guess the way they contrast with the sky and incorporate clear lines is nice. I had no idea Ansel Adams took pictures of power lines, though! This one is great. The black and white values are excellent.

Transmission Lines in Mojave Desert, 1941

I love this picture because it has people in it. The cave itself is fascinating, I'm sure, but there's something to seeing the huge rocks compared with people that really drives the scene home. Of course it's also fun to see their vintage outfits. I also really love the composition in this image. The people are aligned nicely on the rule of thirds grid.

The Rock of Ages, Big Room, Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico

Ansel Adams' images of pueblos are great, as well. The deep shadows in this one make it look very deep and moody.

Cliff Palace, Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

I really like this image of a church. The perspective Adams used is so creative: looking through one door to see another door.

Church, Taos Pueblo, New Mexico, 1942

Some of my favorite images I found on the Ansel Adams archive are these ones of children. I didn't know he took any portraits since I always saw landscapes, but these are so precious. I love these little girls' smiles!

At San Ildefonso Pueblo, New Mexico, 1942

This is such a great portrait as well. It has great composition, but what I love about this one and the one above is that they are so real. We talk about "lifestyle portraiture" today, but it sure isn't a new thing. Ansel Adams had it down pat.

Navajo Girl, Canyon de Chelle, Arizona

I'll end with what may be my favorite Ansel Adams image. Maybe it's "just another landscape," but I think it's special. There's something about the crispness of this photo, the contrast, the light, the shadows, and the visible texture of the rocks that is just wonderful. It looks living, like a real place.

Canyon de Chelle, Arizona

I hope you like Ansel Adams' work as much as I do. His work is almost legendary and has certainly passed the test of time. Do you have a favorite photograph that I featured?

link: ansel adams archive