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Ansel Adams(1902-1984)

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Imogen Cunningham and Ansel Adams
Ansel Adams is widely regarded as one of the most famous photographers of all time, particularly in reference to his striking images of the American wilderness. Adams placed great value upon technical mastery of his craft, carefully evaluating gradations of light in the image, manipulating degree of exposure, and constantly experimenting with new techniques. Along with contemporaries Imogen Cunningham and Edward Weston, Adams founded the group f/64, devoted to what they termed "straight photography," as opposed to staged or embellished images. Adams was also pivotal in the establishment of the Department of Photography at the Museum of Modern Art.

Ansel Adams (1902-1984) was born in San Francisco four years before the great earthquake of 1906. An aftershock of the earthquake threw him to the ground, breaking his nose and marking him for life. Adams first visited Yosemite in 1916 -- only two years after John Muir's death and three months before the founding of the National Park Service -- and was transfixed by the beautiful valley. In 1919, at age 17, he had his first contact with the Sierra Club when he took a job as custodian of the Club's LeConte Memorial Lodge, the Club headquarters in Yosemite National Park.

Adams's interest in photography grew and often brought him up to the mountains accompanied by a mule laden with photographic gear and supplies. He became known as both an artist and defender of Yosemite. In 1934, Adams was elected as a member of the Board of Directors of the Sierra Club, a role he maintained for 37 years

In 1968 Adams was awarded the Conservation Service Award, the Interior Department's highest civilian honor, "in recognition of your many years of distinguished work as a photographer, artist, interpreter and conservationist, a role in which your efforts have been of profound importance in the conservation of our great natural resources." In 1980 Adams received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, for "his efforts to preserve this country's wild and scenic areas, both on film and on earth. Drawn to the beauty of nature's monuments, he is regarded by environmentalists as a national institution."
BornFebruary 20, 1902
DiedApril 22, 1984(82)
BornFebruary 20, 1902
DiedApril 22, 1984(82)
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank

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Known for

Ben Casey (1961)
Ben Casey
7.1
TV Series
  • Art Department
Electrode Universe
7.9
Short
  • Art Director
  • 2013
Ansel Adams, Photographer (1957)
Ansel Adams, Photographer
7.3
Short
  • Soundtrack
  • 1957
Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie in Today (1952)
Today
4.6
TV Series
  • Self - Guest

Credits

IMDbPro

Art Department



  • Ben Casey (1961)
    Ben Casey
    7.1
    TV Series
    • special photographs
    • 1962

Art Director



  • Electrode Universe
    7.9
    Short
    • consulting art director
    • 2013

Soundtrack



  • Ansel Adams, Photographer (1957)
    Ansel Adams, Photographer
    7.3
    Short
    • performer: "Prelude", "Prelude in C Major"
    • 1957

Personal details

  • Official sites
    • Ansel Adams Museum Graphics
    • The Ansel Adams Gallery
  • Born
    • February 20, 1902
    • San Francisco, California, USA
  • Died
    • April 22, 1984
    • Carmel, California, USA(heart failure aggravated by cancer)
  • Spouse
    • Virginia Rose BestJanuary 2, 1928 - April 22, 1984 (his death, 2 children)
  • Publicity listings
    • 1 Print Biography
    • 2 Articles

Did you know

  • Trivia
    Nature photographer.
  • Quotes
    A good photograph is knowing where to stand.

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