Profession:Photographer
Biography: Ansel Adams revolutionized landscape photography and helped establish it as a fine art form. He was known for his black-and-white images of the American West, particularly Yosemite National Park.
Adams discovered his passion for photography during a family trip to Yosemite National Park at age 14. He joined the Sierra Club at 17 and became the caretaker of their lodge in Yosemite Valley. In the 1920s, Adams developed his distinctive style, moving away from soft-focus pictorialism to sharper, more realistic images.
In 1932, Adams co-founded Group f/64, a collective of photographers who advocated for "pure photography" with sharp focus and full tonal range. He later developed the Zone System with Fred Archer, a technique for determining optimal film exposure and development. This system became a standard tool for photographers worldwide.
Adams played a key role in establishing photography departments at major institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York. His photograph "Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico" (1941) became one of his most famous works.
Throughout his career, Adams produced several books of his photographs, including "Sierra Nevada: TheJohn Muir Trail" (1938) and "This Is the American Earth" (1960).
Beyond his artistic work, Adams used his photographs to raise awareness about the importance of preserving America's natural landscapes. In 1980, PresidentJimmy Carter awarded Adams the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his contributions to photography and conservation.
Adams continued to photograph, teach, and advocate for the environment until his death in 1984.
Born:February 20,1902
Birthplace: San Francisco, California, USA
Generation:Greatest Generation
Chinese Zodiac:Tiger
Star Sign:Pisces
Died:April 22,1984 (aged 82)
Cause of Death:Cardiovascular disease
Career Highlights
- 1941-11-01 Ansel Adams shoots 'Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico', one of his most famous photographs
Personal Life
- 1928-01-02 American landscape photographer Ansel Adams (25) weds artist Virginia Best (24) in Yosemite Valley, California, until his death in 1984
References
- Ansel Adams -MoMA
Alfred Stieglitz
Anna Atkins
Annie Leibovitz
Linda McCartney
Robert Capa
Walter Mittelholzer