Art in October - Ansel Adams In The National Parks - Review

ANSEL ADAMS IN THE NATIONAL PARKS
By Andrea G. Stillman, Richard B. Woodward, Ansel Adams
With more than two hundred photographs - many rarely seen and some never before published - this is the most comprehensive collection of Ansel Adams' photographs of America's national parks and wilderness areas. For many people, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Glacier National Park, and other iconic American wildlands exist in the mind's eye as Ansel Adams photographs. The legendary photographer explored more than forty national parks in his lifetime, producing some of the most indelible images of the natural world ever made. One of the twentieth century's most ardent champions of the park and wilderness systems, Adams also helped preserve additional natural areas and protect existing ones through his photographs, essays, and letter-writing campaigns.

Edited and with commentary by Andrea G. Stillman, the foremost expert on Adams' work, this landmark publication includes quotations by Adams on the making of numerous photographs and essays by Wallace Stegner, William A. Turnage of The Ansel Adams Trust, and journalist and critic Richard B. Woodward. This is a must-own for Ansel Adams fans and all those who, like Adams, treasure America's wilderness.

What I Can Tell You: 
I have always been interested in Ansel Adams. As someone who calls themselves an amateur photographer, his use of black and white has always amazed me. It was so fun to open this huge book chock full of Ansel Adams rarely seen photos. It was fascinating to hear the rational behind the photos. Ansel was a visionary who has documented some of the most beautiful nature photos. How can a man who worked in black and white have had such a career? I never know when to use black and white and found myself in awe of Ansel's vision and use of light.

"A photograph is made, not taken." I love that line from the book. This week I told two people who noticed my camera and said, they can't take good photos with their current camera and wish they had a camera like mine. Both were told as nicely as possible, that it is not necessary to spend a lot of money on a camera. It is the photographer who makes the picture, not the camera. My entire life, I have been told, your camera takes great pictures. More often than not I was insulted by the statement. After 8 camera's and many years of maturation, I just roll my eyes at that statement. 

Ansel Adams In The National Parks is a great gift for the photographer in your life, the Ansel fan, or just for someone who appreciates the beauty of the glorious world we live in.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Hachette Book Groups