Ansel Adams

Photography during the First World War MH29845 (cropped)

Best studio Yosemite 1920s

Error creating thumbnail:

Lodgepole Pines photo by Ansel Adams

Error creating thumbnail:

Ansel-adams-monolith-the-face-of-half-dome

Ansel Adams - National Archives 79-AA-E23 levels adj

Error creating thumbnail:

Georgia O'Keeffe and Orville Cox, 1937

American photographer and environmentalist (1902–1984)

Ansel Adams

Ansel Adams in 1950
Name	Ansel Adams
Birth name
Birth date	(1902-02-20)February 20, 1902
Birth place	San Francisco, California, U.S.
Death date	April 22, 1984(1984-04-22) (aged 82)
Death place	Monterey, California, U.S.
Alma mater
Occupation	Photographer, environmentalist
Years active
Organization
Known for	Black-and-white landscape photographs of the American West
Notable works
Spouse(s)	Virginia Best Adams
Website

Ansel Easton Adams (February 20, 1902 – April 22, 1984) was an American photographer and environmentalist. His black-and-white landscape photographs of the American West, especially of Yosemite National Park, have been widely reproduced on calendars, posters, books, and the Internet.

Early life

Adams was born in San Francisco, California, to Charles Hitchcock Adams and Olive Bray. He was an only child, and his family lived in the Sea Cliff neighborhood. Adams was a hyperactive child and prone to frequent sickness and hypochondria. He had few friends, but his family home and surroundings on the heights facing the Golden Gate provided ample childhood activities.

Photography career

Adams first visited Yosemite National Park in 1916 with his family. He was given his first camera, a Kodak Brownie, during this trip, and he took his first photographs of the park. Adams returned to Yosemite on his own in 1919, working as a caretaker at the Sierra Club's LeConte Memorial Lodge. He joined the Sierra Club and was involved with the organization throughout his life.

In the 1920s, Adams experimented with pictorialism, a style of photography that imitated painting. However, he soon shifted to a more realistic style, influenced by the work of Paul Strand. Adams developed the Zone System, a technique for determining optimal film exposure and development, which became a standard practice for photographers.

Environmentalism

Adams was a dedicated environmentalist. He was a member of the Sierra Club and worked to promote the conservation of the American wilderness. His photographs were instrumental in the creation of Kings Canyon National Park and other protected areas. Adams also served on the board of directors of the Sierra Club for 37 years.

Legacy

Adams's work has been widely recognized and celebrated. He received numerous awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1980. His images are held in collections around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

Related pages

• Photography
• Environmentalism
• Yosemite National Park
• Sierra Club
• Zone System