Ansel Adams, "The Tetons and the Snake River"

     I have always considered art photography a beautiful and mysterious means of expression.  It's biggest problem is that unlike many other forms of Art, photograph is often used for a wide variety of purposes, so the pure Art does get lost, tossed and mixed up in advertising, self promotion, and a host of other things.   This is not necessary bad, but simply only a product of it's success.

   When a painter selects his/her subject, sketches are made and vistas can be arranged and rearranged to suit the all important composition.   A photographer does not have that luxury.   When  Ansel Adams (1902-1984) took this photo he didn't just reach in his pocket and whip out his phone.  I have no idea how far he walked to see this landscape, but realize, it was necessary for him to set up a tripod, connect the large, heavy viewfinder camera to it, determine the correct camera settings, and then wait for the natural lighting to be perfect.   Not an easy task.  But he was not done creating the final image.  

   Next came the darkroom.  At the scene Adams created a negative with the camera, so in the studio darkroom the negative was turned into a print using a variety of equipment and chemical solutions.  In so doing, Adams was able to creatively "play" with the lighting, skillfully altering certain parts, if he desired, making them either darker or lighter.  But often, in so doing he loses detail.  It is a difficult but exciting process.  The artist is creating, and this is what makes Art.  

    This week's image is really exciting.  What is the center of interest?  It's hard to determine, and that is just fine.  The huge C curve of  the river points right up to the peaks, and they draw our attention to those fabulous clouds, sky.  Notice the darkness, especially on the left, balanced by the darkness on  the upper right.  This is high contrast, deep blacks, and sparkling silvery whites.  The other parts of the landscape have just enough texture to create interest, but not detract.

   One other note:  Those prints that Adams created himself in his studio are of high value.  Any other prints taken from Adam's original negatives are of lesser value.  But commercial copies of prints have no important value.  

   "The Tetons and the Snake River" was created in 1942 while Adams was employed by the United State Government.  The site is in the Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.  Original images are part of the National Archives of the United States. 

   Make Art a part of your life, it's a beautiful thing to do.