Ansel Adams

Image from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ansel_Adams

I've always had a fondness of black and white photography. At the end of the spring semester I had the chance to research Ansel Adams and his work for a 2D assignment. While I had seen some of his art before, I never paid much attention to it or the artist. His landscapes are a testimony to the early photographer's skills and dedication and shows off a part of nature that not everyone has experienced first hand. His photographs, especially those of Yellowstone, have stunning contrast and depth. Below is one of his many shots of the grand canyon, specifically Bright Angel Canyon.

Image from:  http://shop.anseladams.com/Grand_Canyon_Bright_Angel_Canyon_p/1901016.htm

His photographs stand out so well because they capture such amazing landscapes, even without the use of color. I also appreciate how it's cropped off most of the sky, focusing on the vastness of the land, and how the light and shadows make it stand out to the viewer. What draws my attention first is the dark crevice cutting diagonally across the image, which is much more interesting than a straight vertical or horizontal line. I think the only aspect that would have made this image more stunning is if it had been a cloudy day, and therefore more shadows, but I find it hard to criticize his amazing photographs.

More of his work can be found here: http://www.anseladams.com/