Andrew Besford
2nd Hour
Digital Photography
Ansel Adams
Ansel Adams was born in San Francisco, California in 1902. He was a famous photographer of the American West. He was most known for his work for Yosemite National Park. His images helped set up photography for fine arts.
Ansel Adams family came over to California from England, his grandfather founded a lumber business which later on Adams he would get into that industry for the redwood forests. When Adams was four he was in an earthquake and he broke his nose and it would be crooked for the rest of his life. When he was young he was let go from many schools due to his poor behavior so he was taught from tutors and family members. Adams taught himself how to play the piano and that was his passion before he got into photography. At the age of 14 he took a trip to yosemite National Park and that’s when he really got into photography. He studied darkroom techniques, read photography magazines, and also he joined a camera club.
At the age of 26 in 1928 he married a woman named Virginia Best. She is the daughter of the Best Studio proprietor. Between the years 1928 and 1942 his work developed. He had a very successful portfolio which led to numerous commercial assignments. Adams started to focus on close ups as well as large forms ( a lot to do with landscaping). He spent some time in New Mexico with a few artists and published some books and essays on photography that were very informational. During this period of time Adams joined some photographers to join their commitment in affecting the social and political change. Adams first cause was to protect wilderness areas that included Yosemite.
Not that long before Pearl Harbor in 1941, Adams shot a photo of the moon rising over a village that was a huge success that led to helping him get financial stability.
In the 1960’s a lot of Adams work was being shown in large galleries and in museums also. In the 70’s Adams spent a lot of time printing negatives to satisfy demand for his work. Adams died of a heart attack on April 22, 1984. He lived to be 82.
"Ansel Easton Adams." Bio. A&E Television Networks, 2014. Web. 14 Nov. 2014.
http://vault.sierraclub.org/history/ansel-adams/