Ansel Adams was an American landscape photographer known for his black and white photos of the American West in the 1920s-1930s. His career began in 1927 with a successful portfolio that led to commercial assignments. In the 1930s, his work matured as he experimented with close-up and large-scale landscape details like mountains and factories. The student discusses their favorite Adams photo, which features the sun's reflection on water and more light than usual in his black and white images. They also note the tilted camera angle used, which they prefer over straight-on landscapes. While admiring Adams' work, the student notes finding colorized versions they prefer and understands equipment limitations of Adams' time.

1. Unit 57: Photography and
Photographic Practice
Research of other
photographers work by
Ashleigh Darlington
landscape photographers

2. He was an American environmentalist who
was best known for his black and white
landscape photographs of the American
West. His photography career began in the
1920’s when he produced his first portfolio in
1927 and it was a great success as from that
portfolio he earned nearly $3,900 and then
because of that he soon after received
commercial assignments where he
photographed the wealthy patrons who
bought his portfolio. By the 1930’s Adams
work had matured and this in particular was
a very production and experimental time for
him. He expanded his work and began
focusing on detailed close-ups as well as
large forms from mountains to factories.

4. Out of all the Ansel Adams images I
looked at this one is my favourite I like
how we can see the suns reflection in
the water and there is more light in this
image than there is usually in his images
because as they are black and white this
one has more white because of the sun
and the sea. So I like how he used the
colour white for these more than the
black. The photograph also looks like it
has been took on a slightly tilted
angle, which I prefer with landscapes
rather than just being straight on
because you get more in when the
camera has been tilted.

5. I do like the photographs produced by Ansel Adams however when I was doing my
research I found quite a few images of his that have been converted into colour
and I do prefer them a lot better in colour:
However I understand because of the time Ansel Adams did his photographs he
didn’t have access to the equipment and software and colour that landscape
photographers have this year. So I do still like his work there are just other pieces
of work by more newer landscape photographers that I prefer. I would use his
inspiration on some images maybe just a couple in black and white.