I have decided to research the work of Ansel Adams, who is quite possibly the most famous American Landscape photographer. I’ve seen, studied and read about his works before…but considering his work is being exhibited at the AGO – along with the work of Alfred Eisenstaedt – and the fact that some of his work has influenced and inspired my own, I have decided to look more closely at one of my favourites. Aspens, Northern New Mexico, 1958.

“Aspens, Northern New Mexico” [horizontal]
From Portfolio VII, Plate 6, Edition 49/115
Negative Date: 1958
Print Date: 1976
20” x 24”
AA/1453

Both the grand and the intimate aspects of nature can be revealed in the expressive photograph. Both can stir enduring affirmations and discoveries, and can surely help the spectator in his search for identification with the vast world of natural beauty and the wonder surrounding him.
- Ansel Adams

When one thinks of photography, the name Ansel Adams is sure to pop up. How could it not? He is most notably remembered for his fantastic large-scale masterpieces of the American landscape, which often times reflected his love for nature and the environment. His passion for both his craft and his country, in conjunction with his mastery of technical and visual skill, propelled him to the highest acclaim during his lifetime and beyond. One of his most respectable undertakings was in 1941, when he was hired by the Secretary of the Interior to photograph lands and Native Americans. Adams had intended on making thirty-six photographic murals to hang on the walls of the Department. His hope was that the powerful images, which were to be hung in an “emotionally progressive sequence”, would positively influence congressmen, lobbyists, and government officials. While his vision was never completed due to a turn of events and the commencement of WWII, he was able to make many impressive photographs because of that project. Having once said, “It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the environment”, I realize that this very statement is still relevant. It reminds me that while even today, as the state of our environment is in major flux, it seems that anyone who tries to defend, support or speak-up for environmental sustainability is the butt of a joke on some late night talk show-Al Gore included.

This brings me back to Aspens, Northern New Mexico, 1958., which is a perfect example of Adams’ ability to take a seemingly mundane scene in nature and make it spectacular…to allow us to see the glowing splendor of hope and the beauty of the forest. It’s said that the shot was taken in the mountains north of Santa Fe, in the early morning on a crisp autumn day. He describes the photograph as being that of a “cool and aloof and rather stately” aspen grove who is the highlight of this relatively intricate shot. Adams was well known for “making” photographs, rather then simply “taking” them. To him photographs were more then just something that was captured on film; photographs had to be coaxed out onto paper with the help of a knowledgeable hand and a good set of contrast filters. He would often dodge or burn (while this site is for digital photography the process is the same), his images in order to achieve the proper tonal variations that he had envisioned. It’s no surprise then that he used filters to enhance the general contrast of the scene and allow the stately aspen to glow as it does. The white tree trunks, which reflect the surrounding light, stand out against the dark forest background, and in so doing they allow the viewer to venture deep into the forest. Measuring 20” x 24”, this photographs size alone demands my respect, as only someone who has ever tried to meticulously develop a photograph can truly understand the amount of skill and patience such a work requires.
Much of Adams’ work had influenced my own experiences in photography; from my hikes in the woods to my altered perception of darkroom techniques, I’ve learned that photography is a powerful media for sharing ideas. May we all remember his vision of nature and may we all seek to protect it.

A little quote that I thought was very interesting:
The negative is comparable to the composer’s score and the print to its performance. Each performance differs in subtle ways. -Ansel Adams