Ansel Adams
1902–1984 · United States
Interpretation at the heart of the print.
Explore 2 works ↓
Ansel Adams · 1942
Domaine public · Reuse conditions · Artwork record
The story
Adams devoted much of his work to the landscapes of the American West, particularly Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. His activities combined artistic practice, technical teaching and environmental advocacy. With Fred Archer, he developed the Zone System, a tool for controlling exposure and development. His landscapes remind us that a precise negative does not rule out interpretation: printing arranges tonal values and transforms the visual experience of a place.
Understanding the work
Follow the transitions from black to white and the way they guide the eye. Dramatic contrast also results from decisions made after the negative was exposed.
Key works and series
Yosemite; Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico; landscapes of American national parks.
Sources & further exploration
A journey through images.
2 worksClick an image to enlarge it. Captions, collections and reuse conditions appear below each work. Captions describe the photographs; the source records retain catalogue titles and provide context.
Ansel Adams · 1942
Domaine public · Reuse conditions · Artwork record
Ansel Adams · 1941
Domaine public · Reuse conditions · Artwork record
Works in collections.
10 recordsPhotographs to explore on museum and library websites, with titles, dates and processes. Each link opens the collection record and its image where one is available.
