Thoughts on Ansel Adams

Posted by Roger Williams

“There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer.” Ansel Adams

Today while scrolling through the app Threads, I came across a posting by richard.cox.thephotoman referencing Ansel Adams. The posting outlined tenants of Adams that I try to utilize when attempting to capture the images I wish to record.

RW

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Ansel Adams made masterpieces with a box camera.

I've spent 30 years studying his work.

Here are 3 lessons that will change how you use your phone's camera forever:

1. SEE the final photo before you shoot.

Adams called this 'Visualization.'

It isn't just snapping.

It's deciding—in your mind—what the final image will FEEL like.

The light.

The mood.

Try it.

2. The photo is the SCORE. The edit is the PERFORMANCE.

Adams believed the initial shot is just the starting point.

The real art happens in the darkroom.

For us, that's Snapseed or VSCO.

Stop chasing the 'perfect' shot. Capture the moment. Perform the magic later.

3. Chase the LIGHT. Then find the subject.

Ansel Adams didn't photograph mountains.

He photographed how LIGHT fell on mountains.

HUGE difference.

Don't look for interesting things. Look for interesting light.

Quick recap:

1. Visualize the final image first.

2. The shot is the score, the edit is the performance.

3. Chase the light, not the subject.

Gear doesn't matter. Seeing does.

Adams proved it 80 years ago. Your phone can prove it today.

richard.cox.thephotoman