Andrea G. Stillman

So Ansel Adams is widely regarded as the pre-eminent photographer of the North American landscape and that view is amply justified by this book spanning his entire career from amateur teen to elder statesman of the photographic world. More surprisingly it also demonstrates that Adams was also capable of great work in the genres of protraiture, architecture and macros, too.

The book is organised by decade and it is interesting to note that Adams attained technical mastery before he fully grasped compositional mastery. (He openly admitted this and it's clear in the book.) Now my photographic skills are insignificant compared to many a dedicated amateur, let alone one of history's greatest, but the bit I find interesting and rewarding is the framing of a picture. Technicalities bore me. It's encouraging to find that even a genius such as Adams surely was had to actively learn how to do it.

Anyway, great book if you want an overview of Adams' personal (as opposed to commercial 'gun for hire') work.… (plus d'informations)

Ansel Adams was a pioneering photographer and environmental activist. The book covers these periods in his life:
Introduction:
--1916-1930: Yosemite and the High Sierra
--1931-1939: Group f/64 and Alfred Stieglitz
--1940-1949: National Parks and Monuments
--1950-1959: Conservation, Publications, and Commissions
--1960-1968: Carmel

it's mostly about his photography, but intertwines activism.
His photographs, mostly in black and white, are some of the most stunning examples of nature and urban scenery… (plus d'informations)