Lecture Notes on Ansel Adams and the Early 20th Century Photography Movement

Introduction

• Ansel Adams: Key figure in early 20th-century photography.
• Career took off in the mid-1920s to early 1930s.
• Part of new wave of photography breaking away from pictorialism.

Pictorialism vs. Pure Photography

• Pictorialism:
  • Aimed to have photography accepted as art.
  • Borrowed techniques from painting and fine art.
• Group F64:
  • Founded by Ansel Adams.
  • Focused on 'pure photography', letting photography explore its own techniques.
  • Advocated for photography as its own art form, without borrowing from other mediums.

Ansel Adams' Early Life and Career

• Born in San Francisco, 1902, to an upper-class family.
• Initially trained as a musician.
• Developed interest in photography during family trips to Yosemite National Park.
• First camera: Kodak Brownie box camera.
• Worked for a photo finisher; involved in local camera clubs.
• Published first formal photographs by age 19.
• Sold prints at Virginia's family gallery, later named the Ansel Adams Gallery.

Transition from Pictorialism to Modern Photography

• Experimented with pictorialist techniques but moved towards precision in imaging technologies.
• Mastered darkroom techniques, significant in promoting his work.
• His first portfolio, 'Parmelian Prints of the High Sierras', was successful.

Prominent Work and Influences

• Paul Strand: Major influence on Adams, pushing him toward intense levels of work.
• 1930s: Productive period with new locations and connections with notable artists.
• First solo museum show at the Smithsonian Institution in 1931.
• Founded Group F64 with Imogen Cunningham and Edward Weston.

Notable Contributions and Accomplishments

• Opened his own art gallery in San Francisco.
• Published essays and instructional books on photography.
• Active in wilderness preservation.
• Developed the Zone System with Fred Archer, a method for controlling negatives and printing.
• Influential in photography education and workshops.

Signature Works

• Moonrise Over Hernandez:
  • Created using a high level of darkroom manipulation.
  • Exemplifies mastery in printmaking.
• Half Dome at Yosemite:
  • Utilized a red filter for high contrast.
• Snake River in the Grand Tetons and other landscapes.

Legacy and Influence

• Ansel Adams' work is displayed in museums worldwide.
• Pioneered techniques in black and white photography.
• Seen as a major influence in both fine art and commercial photography.
• His work continues to be studied for its technique and artistic vision.
• Despite a shift in landscape photography trends, Adams' contributions remain significant.

Conclusion

• Ansel Adams as an iconic figure in photography.
• Emphasized pre-visualization and artistic expression.
• His career serves as a benchmark for photographers seeking control and mastery over their craft.