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.