The Impact of Ansel Adams on Photography - Assignment 5 Essay

Photo by: Joel Tjintjelaa

Photograph By: Toni Frissell

   The work of Ansel Adams stands out among others due to its high contrast within Adams' black and white photos. Adams used what was around him at the time in 1920 when he started photographing. Living in San Fransisco,  Adams had the best of both worlds to be used as mediums for his photographs. On one hand, he had the bustle of San Fransisco, and on the other, a small trip across the Golden Gate Bridge and he would find himself in the Redwoods.  Adams would use black and white photography to his advantage. Having rich and dark colours mix with the almost stark white sky in some photographs. Adams would almost always use nature as the subject of his photography. Finding that nature itself spoke louder when we took away the tones of colour.

   The set of photographs above demonstrate to an extent, the influence of Ansel Adams. Be it within their use of tone, or the use of the subject. The ideas Adams brought forth are prominent in the photos. To begin, the use of the contrast within the first photograph by Joel Tjintjelaa are reminiscent  of Adams' photographs. The contrast between the white of the ocean and sky, with the gray and black of the bridge in between create a perfect line for the viewer to follow around the photograph and almost makes it other worldly. The image and use of the white tones for the water seems to be influenced by one of Adams' photographs:

Ansel Adams Photograph Example

  More similarities in the photographs that I found also are the heavy use of nature as a subject. One can draw many reasons as to why photographers use nature as a subject. Although, when one uses black and white photography with nature as a subject. The world loses all of its colours, and in it's place that contrast between leaves and rock, sky and ground become apparent. The true beauty of the world comes forth. Adams knew this very well, the shadows cast by mountains on to the tress, the wind rippling through the streams almost frozen for that split second when the photograph was taken. Adams took these opportunities to get his photographs just right, and I also believe that the photographs above looked toward Ansel Adams photographs for that inspiration in black and white nature photography.

Ansel Adams Photo Example

 Ansel Adams also had a great use of light and shadow within his photographs. Taking a photo of the same subject at different times of the day could set a completely different mood of the photograph at the different times of the day. I believe the photograph of the children playing soccer on the beach speaks volumes for this similarity. The sun behind them, most likely late in the day casts long shadows on the beach which creates a completely different tone. The bodies themselves are silhouettes creating a stunning focal point in the photograph. Also due to the placement of the sun, every footstep or hole in the sand pops out with its shadow encasing it. Creating a dynamic and eye catching photo.

Ansel Adams' Use of light and shadow

In conclusion, the photographs listed above, along with photography examples of Ansel Adams' work. Adams' work is rich and full of contrast, his work literally jumps off the page toward you. It is clear that the photographers above look towards Adams' work for inspiration, the use of tones, subject and light are reminiscent of that. I believe that there is a strong correlation between them. The photographers today have looked back and studied the work of the world's first photographers, found what they liked and took it and made something their own.

Discussion Board Week 12 Presentation: The Impact of Digital Technology on Photography

Presented By: Patrick Lennard-White, James Briggs, Matt Schwartz, and Peter Polito

Photography began as an activity only used by that of inventors like Joseph Nicephore Niepce. At first photography was considered to be scientific. With the complicated measurements of chemicals and the proper use of the machine, it took one a very long time to learn, let alone master this art. As opposed to now we can see children as young as four creating photographs with little or no instruction. With the introduction of the digital era, we have seen an extreme increase in photography in itself. Within arms reach right now we have access to a camera, be it the ones on our cellphones or an actual digital camera. Photography is always within our grasp. As technology advances we can begin to see a steady increase in the availability of cameras, not only in price but in size. The days of lugging around a full camera set are long gone, we can now take pictures infinitely better than those with a camera that can fit in our pockets. Technology continues to push the boundaries in producing the highest quality of photos while also making it more accessible for society to use.

Since there is an abundance of cameras it appears we are at a point where cameras are just an additional feature to another piece of equipment (ie: phone or monitor) because they have been able to replicate them at high volume. This could create saturation in the photography field as well with more people creating images the higher possibility someone who is pursuing this as an art may be overlooked or under-appreciated. Society has always loved the idea of capturing memories and storing them in shoebox or album but now they are story on a USB stick and maybe you'll get around to printing them. Everywhere you go you see people taking pictures with whatever device they have available and they may or may not be the quality of a professional photographer; because of this they can share experiences or events that happen with other people. We live in a decade where it is easy to see pictures from across the world or anywhere you can think of because the growing number of cameras that have been produced. We know of the past because of pictures taken then even when cameras were harder to obtain, now I only wonder what the future will know since we take pictures of everything and anything.

The incorporation of digital photography into the realm of modern journalism may be considered by some a distortion of the core ethics that define the profession. The ease of skewing a photograph today makes it difficult to ensure an accurate portrayal of an event is being documented. Before the age of digital photography, the role of a photojournalist was to go out and document reality. Today, the process has changed. Media sources look to online hubs for photo resources, where the legitimacy of a photograph cannot be easily be established.

Using a darkroom to process and edit photos could only allow for a picture to be altered to a certain extent. With the advent of modern photo editing software things like lighting, shadow, composition, and even photo subjects can easily be manipulated. These subtleties can portray so much; and when so easily doctored it becomes much too easy to skew realities.

Probably the most famous example in the recent years of photo manipulation in photojournalism was Brian Walski. His altered photograph was used in The Times, Hartford Courant and the Chicago.

Digital photography has had a large impact on identity formation in teens. The argument can be made that photographs lose significance when film is not involved, but for teens, photographs play a large roll in how adolescents identify themselves amongst their peers. Social media has become a norm for individuals in early adolescence, and the avatar or "display photo" is used to represent the individual online. The display photo is often taken at a social gathering or through the lens of a webcam, but is always changing. This is reflective of how teens feel about photography. Our readings tell us that “most teenagers consider their pictures to be temporary reminders rather than permanent keepsakes”. The temporary reminders are often in the form of “albums” on Facebook or photoblogs. Digital photography makes the “life on stage” sensation during adolescence even more difficult. With the potential of a snap from a cellphone camera or a digital camera in someone's back pocket, the social pressures of adolescents is even more present.

Assignment 1 PART 2

 Art:

Source: http://lazyphotographr.wordpress.com/2011/10/24/more-from-the-occupy-toronto-front-all-ages-acceptable/

Photographer - Colette Stevenson               Source: http://sueedworthy.ca/tag/occupy-toronto/

Press:

Photographer: Darren Calabrese  Source: http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/11/15/occupy-toronto-protesters-given-midnight-deadline-to-leave-park/

Photographer: Darren Calabrese  Source: http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/11/15/occupy-toronto-protesters-given-midnight-deadline-to-leave-park/

1. The main differences and similarities between art and press photography;

 Within these four photographs one can see that there are a few similarities between them, but also some striking differences within these photos I have chosen. I would like to first point out that although the photos chosen are in black and white. Photos of an artistic nature do not generally have to be in black and white. For the similarities within these group of photographs, even though they are all on the same subject of the recent Occupy Toronto movement that has swept us up this last month. They all have a subject. Be it the old lady at the tent, or the woman carrying away her belongings all photos have a subject in which the viewer can be fixed upon. Each photo does also give off interesting framing to many of the subjects, for instance the dog in foreground gives more notice to the protester packing their bags in the background. Also the same can be seen with the photograph of the Canadian flag marching in front of the Bank of Nova Scotia.

 Lastly, the differences that can be seen within these groups of photographs. I find that the art photography (albeit black and white) carries darker and richer tones to improve the contrast of the photographs and make it more dynamic. As where I can see the press photos almost seemed to be washed out by the colour of the sky and the atmosphere around it. Another difference that stands out to me is that in press photography we find that the main focus is majority a person or a grouping of people. Within the art photograph of the Canadian flag we can see there are no people in the photo and yet it gives off a richer image as compared to the photo of the dog and the packer in the background. Art photography uses  shapes and contrast to deliver a message as to where press photography gives the facts as how they are.


2. Is it ethical and acceptable to alter art photographs? Why? Why not?

   I believe that within the realm of art photography it is considered extremely acceptable, even encouraged to alter your photographs. When people look at art photography, they want to escape from the real world. Instead of looking out your window and seeing a flower, you can see that flower from a whole new angle and with sharper contrast than we would normally see it. Art photography is all about taking the every day and making it something extraordinary.

   Although I believe there are limitations to these alterations before it becomes a washed out mess. I believe viewers still want to look upon a photograph and be confused for just a moment until their minds pop into their head saying it is a flower. In regards to the photos we have here. The photographer has taken the images into black and white and increased the contrast to create a dynamic photograph.

3. Is it ethical and acceptable to alter press photographs? Why? Why not?

   When I look at the newspaper I expect to see photographs of the news. How they were shot, not alterations, and showing the full story. I know newspapers have been caught with not telling the full story and favoring one side more than the other due to alterations. In my opinion this is not the way to go about displaying the news. We as people are supposed to make our own decisions, not be told by someone else how we should be. Now I do understand that some altering has to be done. For instance if the photo is to dark or washed out touch ups so the general message can be brought forth, I can completely agree with that. The only point where I believe the alterations should end is when the story starts to change from what it actually is. At no point should that be acceptable but in our day and age. We can see this all the time.