Opinions on AA.

[Kirk Gittings]

However, when I think of Ansel, I don't first think of Moonrise or his other iconic images; I think of the man. He was a tremendously talented person, who happened to make photographs.

I had a series of phone conversations with him in 82-83 about an article I was writing. I found him to be a real gentleman and very gracious and patient with a young fart (vs. the old fart I am now).

[Brian Ellis]

Ha, ha, I wish I could claim otherwise, but it's just a dumb typo.

I'm disappointed. I thought you called us "old geysers" because we spouted off so regularly. : - )

[Brian Ellis]

Ha, ha, I wish I could claim otherwise, but it's just a dumb typo.

I'm disappointed. I thought you called us "old geysers" because we spout off so consistently and predictably about certain subjects. : - )

[ROL]

nah steven scanboss, the f-stop.
A term paper covering aa would be as simple as a quick google search. There seems to be enough info on the net to sink a ship.

Im just confused, i mean doesn't anyone else find it strange that there have been no other photographers that produced landscape work even close to his? Im not just talking about the dynamic range of his images & tonal range of his prints either, seeing as such a thing with modern day materials (& modern day knowledge) is acheiveable by anyone.

Really? Frankly, that's an absurdly immature and unverified statement. Google landscape or black and white photography. You haven't seen all that's out there and neither have I. Some of the "best" photographers simply don't make their work easily available. Try visiting a few museums or libraries before baiting forums for a--hole opinions like mine.

American photographers often complain that every good location has been over-photographed...then why is it that i am yet to see a faithful copy of an aa composition?

Geezus, that's your yardstick, copying other people's work?

To me this art of ours seems to be governed by science moreso than any other. Is it possible that we just aren't approaching it the right way?

Is it possible only you are not approaching it the right way?


Ansel Adams did more to advance photography as a fine art than any other photographer. He was an artist, teacher, and promoter (though not necessarily of his own work) nonpareil. He literally wrote the book(s) on classical silver photography. It is because of him that I see work every day as good or better than Adams' on my own walls.

[Thebes]

I think AA is as famous as he is due more to his workshops and books, and the marketing of his work, than any exceptional excellence or skill.

I'm not saying he wasn't a great photographer, just that he was no better than a dozen or more others. He did head up that whole f64 thing, surely that added notoriety, as undoubtedly did his rantings against certain other prominent photographers.

I like Caponigro's Running White Deer more than any print I've seen of AA's, so who's better at landscapes?

[Curt Palm]

nah steven scanboss, the f-stop.

American photographers often complain that every good location has been over-photographed...then why is it that i am yet to see a faithful copy of an aa composition?

if that's what you want take a look at jeff nixon's moon and half dome

http://www.jeffnixonphotography.com/B___W_Gallery.php

[f90]

I am Australian, so please forgive my lack of participation as we are running on opposites here.

I certainly did not expect such a landslide of responses. It makes me happy to see that a forum such as this is alive and kicking.

I agree with what most people have said about the man. His self promotion, lively personality, great speaking and writing abilities, contacts, the fact that the outdoors were becoming 'popular', etc. were all likely factors in his success. It's obvious though that none of it would have been possible without the power of his work backing him.

I also agree that some of his work has been bested by others, especially the non-landscape stuff which he did not specialise in. I was more-so talking about the truly unique landscape compositions that he created, the ones that really stand out.

I dunno, maybe it's just me, but i've been studying landscape photography for a few years now and I am still yet to see work as unique as his. I've seen good colour work (david muench seems to have great stuff), but I still haven't seen any better of the poetic b&w.

Despite what some may believe, It appears that science plays a large part in making good images. The process of eliminating visual dissonance is the key to extraordinary images, and is also 100% achievable through critical thinking and scientific process.

I'm not trying cause trouble, I am merely trying to get some intelligent opinions on the matter as I think this is an important subject that is yet to be discussed.

And for those who think that this is term paper research..If only I could be so lucky.

[Kirk Gittings]

I'm very peripherally involved in a new AA exhibit that should be quite interesting-an exhibit of his personal photography collection.

[jloen]

If you don't think he was the best, then who was/is?

To paraphrase a great mountaineer, Alex Lowe, who certainly was IMO the best of his generation,

"the best (insert occupation) is the one having the most fun".

using that definition, I think that numerous amateur photographers probably are the best. You all know what "amateur" means, after all.

[f90]

@Curt Plum, Yes that moon and half dome is almost identical! As I thought about copyable compositions, I realised that moon and half dome maybe the easiest to copy (firstly cause it was made by a fixed plane camera and secondly that there are very few overall values in the image), but I also thought no-one would pick up on it . Even though he did copy the exact values of the AA original, judging from his other work, Jeff Nixor seems to have quite an eye for values and expressing the effect of sunlight.