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How Did Ansel Adams Influence Photography ?
Ansel Adams stands out to be the most admired photographer of America. In fact, it would not be wrong to refer his name as a legend, and his works a milestone in the history of photography. |
He was born on February 20, 1902 in San Francisco, California. During his early years he was a reckless, hyperactive and dyslexic child and no school would want him.
The initial years of his life saw Adams ardently pursuing his passion towards music. He had an ardent desire to become a concert pianist. His interest in photography gradually bloomed during his frequent trips to Yosemite. Very soon, his love toward photography took over his music. The young artist was immensely influenced by Yosemite and accomplished nature photographers at that time.
In the year 1927 was a landmark in Adams’ life; he made his first fully visualized photograph monolith, the Face of Half Dome and also got patronage of Albert M. Bender, a benefactor of arts and artists in San Francisco. When Adams started his career in photography, it was predominated by the Pictorial style. Although Adams did not appreciate this style, he still accepted the pictorialist techniques and materials. He preferred portraying nature in comparison to allegories, nudes and portraits. The influence of another photographer, Paul Strand is clearly visible in Adams work. It was the influence of this man that altered Adams style of photography from ‘pictorial’ to ‘straight’. Straight photography stressed upon the clarity of the lens, which led to the final print which needed no corrections.
It was the year 1932 that saw Adams establishing the Group f.64 along with a few colleagues, namely Weston, Cunningham, Alma Lavenson and Van Dyke. It was this group that slowly rose to heights marking a new photographic era. However, there were discrepancies amongst the members on the viewpoint of the social responsibilities of a photographer. While some canvassed the belief that photography plays a cardinal role in showcasing the grim shades of our social set up, others that included Adams believed that the focus should be on self expression.
Although the work of Adams is commendable, he has also been criticized by many for his lack of sensitivity towards the social cause linked to the stream. He resented the view that the sole significance of photography lay in highlighting the poverty of the world. To him photography was about beauty rather than humanity. He believed that it was no less important to showcase the attractive essentials of the world as was ugliness and desolation.
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