Virtual Essay - Ansel Adams

If I had to choose one photographer who had an impact on my life it would be Ansel Adams (1902-1984).  His photograph is shown below and can be found at http://blogbusinessworld.blogspot.com/2009/10/ansel-adams-in-color-by-ansel-adams.html



 I grew up in a home with a mother who loved photography.  Every year, the morning of the first snow fall my mother would gather myself and my brothers and head to this large park in Kitchener-Waterloo.  My brothers and I would play while my mother took black and white photographs of the trees.  The photographs were beautiful and I wish had them to display for you today.  The photographs resembled a photo that hung on the wall in our dining room.  While doing research for this assignment I found that same photograph on the Internet.  It was taken by Ansel Adams, in 1948, the photograph is called Oak Tree, Snowstorm.  This breathtaking photograph is shown below and can be found on the Ansel Adams Gallery Website at www.anseladams.com. 



I have learned through my research that many of the photographs on the walls in my childhood home were taken by Ansel Adams.  I was drawn to these photographs as a child.  I could stare for hours and each time notice something different.  When I first saw this photograph, I only noticed the oak tree.  I was a small child and this was the extent of my creative mind.  I later noticed the trees in the background and was curious as to whether they were much smaller than the oak or just really far away.  I then noticed the mountain creeping up behind the tree.  Now as an adult I notice the top of the mountain and the fog crawling over it. 

The following information about Ansel Adams can be found on his family’s website mentioned above.  Ansel is most famous for his photographs taken in Yosemite Valley.  He first visited there in 1919 for a summer posting as “keeper” of the lodge.  He then returned for four consecutive summers.  He returned often for the remainder of his life each time taking his camera with him.  His fist camera was a Kodak that his parents purchased for him.  Ansel also met and married his wife in Yosemite in 1928.  He was often seen climbing, hiking and crawling around Yosemite Valley in search of the right moment to take one of his famous photographs.  The photo below was taken of Ansel on top of his car in Yosemite Valley, it can be found at the following link http://ylovephoto.com/en/2011/02/20/don%E2%80%99t-take-photos-make-photos/.



Ansel was quoted saying the following :

“Not taking photos is refusing to simply press the shutter button because we have seen something. Making a photo is a matter of attitude, being constructive in front of all pictures. We must choose our framing, choose our exposure, choose our depth of field, choose exact moment. This way, I will build my own photo rather than taking what appeared there. And, any photograph can have such an aim for quality”.

Those He inspired

Ansel Adams is famous for taking photographs of nature.  He has inspired many to be patient with nature to create photographs of their own.  The following is a list of five photographers’ who’s photographs are similar to those taken by Ansel and can all be found on the Ansel Adams Gallery website.

1.       Jeffrey Conley: Below you will find a photograph taken by Jeffrey Conley, it is called Magnolia.

This photograph is very similar to one taken by Ansel Adams, called Rose and Driftwood.  I believe this photo was inspired by Ansel for many reasons.  You will notice that both flowers are at a similar angel.  Both flowers also appear to be white but that could be a trick of the eye because both photographs are taken in black and white.  You will also notice the surface upon which the flowers are placed.  In the photograph above it appears that the flower is placed upon some kind of rough surface.  It could be wood or it could be concrete.  You will also notice that in the photograph below taken by Ansel, the rose is also sitting upon a rough surfaced piece of driftwood. 



1.       Bob Kolbrener: Below you will find a photograph taken by Bob Kolbrener, it is called Bridalveil Fall.



This photograph is very similar to one taken by Ansel Adams.  Ansel took a photograph of a waterfall in lower Yosemite Valley.  The photograph named Lower Yosemite is shown below.  It is similar to the photo taken by Bob Kolbrener in many ways.  Both photo’s are in black and white.  Both shown a large waterfall surrounded by large beautiful trees.  The photo by Bob Kolbrener was taken years after the one by Ansel.  However, the similarities are obvious and Bob was most certainly inspired by Ansel.

3.        Alan Ross: The following is a photograph taken by Alan Ross, it is call Sandstorm, Curling Sand.

This photograph is quite similar to one taken by Ansel Adams.  Below you will find the photo taken by Ansel called Sand Dunes, Sunrise Death Valley.  You will notice that both photographs are taken at a similar angel.  Both are taken of the peak of sand dunes.  The photo by Alan is taken in a different light that the photo by Ansel.  Adam also incorporated more emphasis on the sand dune and the curling sand.  Ansel seems to have put more emphasis on the background as well as the sand dune.

4.        Patrick Joblonski: Below you will find a photograph taken by Patrick Joblonski, it is called Cottonwood Trees.

This photograph is similar to one taken by Ansel Adams and was most certainly inspired by Ansel's work.  Many of the photo's Ansel took were of bare trees during the winter covered in snow.  The photo's were taken in black and white and the trees had an almost "skeletonized" look to them.  The photo above taken by Patrick looks much the same.  It would be easy to see how his work is inspired by Ansel.  The photo below is one taken by Ansel Adams himself and it is called, Trees and Cliffs of Eagle Park.

5.        Tom Mallonee: Below you will find a photograph taken by Tom Mallonee, it is called Burn Area, East of Mono Lake.

This photograph could easily be inspired by one similar and taken by Ansel Adams.  There are a few reasons this was inspired by Ansel but not a replica by any means.  Below you will find a photograph taken by Ansel.  The photo has similarities to the one above.  Both have rows of similar trees which appear to be in a dead state.  The photo by Tom Mallonee it is known that the trees are dead due to the title "burn area".  With Ansel they appear to be dead but the title suggest otherwise using the word "spring".  Both also appear to be taken on grey dreary days, however that could be a trick of the eye because the photo's are taken in black a white.  Although the photo's are not similar between the artists, it is not a far stretch to say that Tom was inspired by Ansel.

Ansel Adams has inspired many with his beautiful photographs.  His work has gained much popularity and some photo's have been sold for as much as $50,000.  I have spoken above about a few of the artists who's work seems to have been inspired by Ansel.  Of course, these are only my opinions of the matter.  The photographs above can all be found on the Ansel Adams Gallery Webpage.  The artists I have spoke of today have been found to be talented enough by the family of Ansel Adams to share his website.

I have also spoken before on previous blog posts about my love affair with black and white photography.  I believe tonight I have come to the realization that perhaps my love affair began as a child in a home with walls covered in beautiful photographs taken by Ansel Adams.

Press Photography Versus Art Photography

In 1901, Charles Caffin said it best, stating that  “There are two distinct roads in photography - the utilitarian and the aesthetic: the goal of the one being a record of facts, and the other an expression of beauty”.  This statement in my opinion describes the difference between art and press photography perfectly. 

Art Photography

Art is describes as the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance (Dictionary.com).  Art photography does express beauty and does so through the eyes of the photographer taking the photo.  Art photography is expressed as the photographer wishes.  Art photography can be manipulated and altered in as many different ways as the photographer wishes in order to portray the image desired for other to see.  The following photograph is an example of art photography. It can be found at the following link http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1jynwM/www.timeoffun.com/art/58-fine-art-photography.  The interesting thing about the website where this photograph can be found is that it actually states that “Fine art photography refers to photographs that are created to fulfill the creative vision of the artist.  Fine art photography stands in contrast to photojournalism and commercial photography” (uros79). 



You will notice that the photographer decided to manipulate this photo in order to create a vision for the audience.  The photo was taken in colour and the colour was removed to make the photo in black and white.  However, the photographer decided to leave only colour for the rose that the girl is holding.  The photographer also added shadowing around the little girl ensuring that the audience’s attention would be focused on the girl in the picture.

Press Photography

Press photography or photojournalism is much different from art photography.  Photojournalism is described as the use of photographs in combination with the reporting of news (Westbrook).  Press photography can be combined with news print such as newspapers, magazines, articles, television as well as the internet (Westbrook).  Press photography is expected to adhere to certain guidelines.  Press photographs are expected to adhere to the principles of journalism; they are expected to be a fair and honest representations of the events and they are expected to be timely and accurate (Icevska).  The following is an example of a press photograph and it can be found at the following link http://www.worldpressphoto.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2102&Itemid=50&bandwidth=high.  This photograph was taken by Jodi Bieber and she won the 2010 Press Photo of the Year for taking it.

There are a few reasons why I choose this photograph.  I was drawn to the honesty of the story behind the picture.  This is a photograph of a young bride who ran away from her husband in Afghanistan.  She was married at 12 and her husband abused her often.  She ran to her parents but they returned her to her husband.  Some of his in-laws took her to the mountains and first cut off her ears, then her nose.  Apparently in Afghanistan, a husband whose wife has run away is said to have lost his nose. This was his wife’s punishment.  Her story can be found at the link above.  Part of what draws people to press photography is the honesty, the pain, the truth and the emotions one feels when looking at the pictures.  One feels so much more when looking at a press photograph because we believe we are sing a snapshot of the truth.

Is It Ethical to Alter Art Photographs?

It is not unethical to altered art photography because the photograph is in essence already a creation.  If following the aforementioned definition of art photography, then it is known that the photo depicts the creative mind of the artist.  How can altering a creation be unethical?  There are no rules for art.  What one sees as art is up to the audience.  A creation is not truth; it is fantasy and therefore would not alter truth in being manipulated.  The following is an altered art photograph.  It was taken by Sarah Long and can be found at the following link http://www.picturesocial.com/photo/psalm-13.  

I thought this photograph was beautiful because of what I thought the photographer wanted me to see.  When I look at this photo I see a beautiful eye, but in that eye I also see what they eye is seeing.  I am sure we have all heard the saying “seeing life through their eyes” and I find it to be an interesting concept.  I do not believe there is anything unethical about what the photographer did with this photograph.

Is It Unethical to Alter Press Photography?

Press photography as described above is meant to depict the truth.  When one looks at a press photograph we believe we are looking at a real moment in time.  We are emotionally moved to feel what was happening at that moment in time because it is true.  There is some hidden unsaid agreement between a press photographer and its audience.  Even the smallest of alterations (or white lies) will destroy the relationship of trust that has already been established.  The following is a photo taken by Stephan Rusik.  It can be found at the following linkhttp://www.petapixel.com/2010/03/03/world-press-photo-disqualifies-winner/. Stephan won a 3^rd place award for his photo titled “Street fighting, Kiev, Ukraine”.  Stephan was also disqualified when it was discovered that he had altered the photograph to remove a foot from the background.  Stephan was shocked and appalled that he was disqualified for such a silly alteration which he claimed did not “remove any important informative detail”.  According to the judges, “The content of the image must not be altered. Only retouching which conforms to the currently accepted standards in the industry is allowed”.

The Original

** Note the foot pictured under the thumb of the fighter **

The Altered

** Note the foot no longer appears under the thumb of the fighter **

It is true that the alteration was small and of little significance.  But that is not the point.  According to Gordana Icevska, photojournalists are supposed to “shoot the truth” and anything else is unacceptable.

Works Cited

Dictionary.com. 19 March 2011 <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/art+?o=100074>.

Icevska, Gordana. "Course Notes Week 9 ." 2011. WebCT. 19 March 2011 <http://sites.google.com/site/shootingthetruth/Home/modules/week-9/course-notes-week-9>.

uros79. Fine Art Photography. 09 December 2010. 19 March 2011 <http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1jynwM/www.timeoffun.com/art/58-fine-art-photography>.

Westbrook, Dillon. A Brief History of Photojournalism. 2007. 19 March 2011 <http://www.photography-schools.com/photojournalismhistory.htm>.

Photo Manipulation

For the purpose of this assignment I chose pictures of my favourite things.  I am in love with flowers.  I love that every flower is different in shape, colour and smell.  Even if you look closely as a dozen roses, each and every rose is different from the next.  I found this beautiful blue flower at http://www.hermann-uwe.de/photoblog/blue-flower.  The photo was taken by Uwe Hermann and it is titled "Blue Flower".

When given the option to manipulate this photo, I tried a few different methods.  I tried to change the photo from colour to black and white.  But that removed too much beauty.  I tried to fade the colours and crop the pictures, I even tried to turn it into a puzzle.  But all the methods too so much away from the photo.  After removing the colour I realized how important the colour of a flower is with regards to it's beauty.  So I framed the photo in a way to make the colour pop.  I also wanted to add words to the picture.  The photographer gave the photo such a simple name, and I wanted to add it somewhere on the photo.  So here it is.

The second photo I chose to manipulate was a black and white photograph.  As stated in an earlier blog entry, I love the antique feel to the photo's.  I love the natural wear and tear over time.  This picture was found at http://www.starstore.com/acatalog/First_Kiss-posterl.jpg .  The name of the photographer who took the picture is not listed.  It is titled "First Kiss".

When given the option to manipulate this photo, I decided to choose another method of aging.  I choose to use a texture call Sepia.  What this did was take the black and white photo and instead of using black tones it uses "pick" tones.  This is just another method of aging photographs.  I also faded the photograph a little in order to make it look like the photo was kissed with a cloud.  I think it looks much more beautiful this way.

The Role of Portraits in the Early Days of Photography and Portraits Today

1.  There are several differences between photographs from the past and photographs today.  There are also many similarities.  Photographs in the past used to be processed using metals, glass and many chemicals.  The cyanotype process for example required silvered plates and the use of ammonium (Historic Photographs).  The gaguerreotype process required the use of metal plates which were then exposed to iodine fumes (Historic Photographs).  By having to use multiples materials as well as multiple chemicals, developing photographs was a lenghly process.  It had multiple steps and required much time to produce a single portrait.  Portraits of the past were not a permanent process.  The glass used could break, the metal could deteriorate and the photograph could not be reproduced again in its original form.  The chemicals used to develop the photographs could also break down, making to photo fade.  The cameras used to take the photographs were also extremely large and took a long time to set up.  The camera obscura for example had 26 different pieces required for assembly (Historic Photographs).  Having to assemble 26 pieces in order to take a photograph would make taking a portrait not an easy task.  It would be impossible to take a photograph whenever you wanted, you would have to plan a portrait session.

Photographs today are most often taken digitally.  The camera has become something that almost everyone carries in their pocket.  This is because cameras come in their original form, in cell phones, in computers and can even be purchased as "hidden cameras" disguised in other objects.  A portrait can be taken immediately and whenever a person wants.  All you have to do is reach in your pocket, press on and you are ready to go.  The wonderful thing about photography today is that the photograph can also be deleted immediately and retaken if you were not happy with it.  In the past you had to wait a long time to view the photograph.  Today it takes seconds.

2.  The subjects of photography in the past were well off, upper class citizens.  They were doctors, lawyers, politicians and anyone who could afford between $2.50 and $4.50 for a photograph.  Mathew Brady's which was a studio that opened in 1853 catered to these luxurious clientele (Lemagny and Rouille).  However, Edward Anthony changed the process of photography and was able to lower is prices to a mere 25 cents.  People would wait in line for their turn, have their photograph taken, he would then pass the photograph to a member of his team who would process it immediately for the client so they could leave with the portrait in hand (Lemagny and Rouille).  By lowering his prices he allowed the joy or portraits to be extended to middle class citizens as well (Lemagny and Rouille).

Today the photographer is anyone who has access to a camera.  Although there are some that study in school to learn the art of photography, some just come to it naturally.  Having a portrait taken today has nothing to do with the social class to which you associate.  Children have their portraits taken annually in school.  The portraits are taken by a non-famous photographer who uses a plain background, asks the children to say "cheese" and the process is complete in minutes.  Most "big box" stores today even have portrait studios where family photographs can be taken and developed while you complete your shopping.

However, today the photographer can also be known by fame and name and worshiped around the world.  There are people who will book a photographer in advance of an engagement just to ensure the photographer will be available for their future wedding.  The photographer today is someone known by name and famous for the beauty their create.  The photographer is no longer the unnamed person behind the camera who asks you to say "cheese".

3.  Technology has largely impacted photography both in the past and today.  In the past, the constant evolution from metal to glass, from ammonia to iodine, changed the way the photograph was created.  For example, Rogers Fenton in Russia, and Thomas Sutton in Italy, used the Le Grey method which involved using glazed paper in the development process (Lemagny and Rouille).  This process allowed photographs to be taken away from the studio and processed at a later date.  The glass process for example, required the photograph to be process immediately after it was taken (Lemagny and Rouille).  Therefore, if portraits were to be taken outside, the photographer has to carry all his processing equipment as well as the camera.  The glazed paper method allowed the photograph to be taken without the necessity of carrying all the extra equipment.

Today technology is ever changing.  As previously stated, almost every person owns a camera.  If not a camera on its own, they may own a cell phone that takes photos, or they have a computer with a webcam.  After looking at the Rogers Wireless website, 6 of the 11 cell phones on showcase displayed photographs on the phones.  Technology advancements has also changed the reason people take photographs.  I have sat in a class where the teacher did not have their shirt properly done up and a student took a picture of the teachers exposed stomach to display on the Internet.  TTC bus drivers have been caught sleeping on the job by someone who had access to a camera on their cell phone.  Technology is forever changing, who knows what's next.  But the evolution of the camera will be popular and wanted by all no matter the cost.

The portrait shown above was taken 1853.  It can be found at the following website.  http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic-art/77209/73908/Johannes-Brahms-1853
You may notice that the picture is not clear.  His hands simply look like a white blob.  There is little definition to his features and had the picture not been preserved digitally it would continue to deteriorate.  Johannes Brahms is the man in the picture.  He was a successful and wealthy pianist and composer (Wikipedia).  Further proving that at the time the picture was taken, only upper social class citizens could afford the luxury of a personal portrait.

This photograph was taken in 2011.  It can be found at the following website. http://newyearnewpics.wordpress.com/.  You will notice that like the portrait above, this photo is also taken in black and  white.  However, the definition on this photograph is much better.  The dogs face should is entirely black, but using digital photography, you can see the folds of skin, you can count the whiskers and see the dogs eyes.  This should all be a difficult task considering all the above mentioned are black on black and taken in black and white.  You will also notice that this portrait is of a dog.  Showing that in today's society photographs are available to all and anyone can afford them.  So much so that people feel the need to photograph a pet.

Work Cited

Lemagny and Rouille. "A History of Photography". AHistoryOfPhotography_revised.pdf - on Jan 24, 2011 4:34 PM by Gordana Icevska (version 1).  Retrieved January 28th 2011.  Web.

Wikipedia. "Johannes Brahms". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johannes_Brahms.  Retrieved January 30th 2011. Web.

The British Library Board. "Historic Photographs". http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/features/photographicproject/photographicprocesses.html. Retrieved January 30th 2011.  Web.

Girl on Roof

Since it did not specify whether we had to upload a picture of ourselves or a picture of our choice, I chose to upload this picture.  I found this picture on the Internet and found it to be beautiful.  I love black and white photographs because they give a vintage feeling to a picture.  I loved this photo also because the girl is in shadows.  You have no idea if the girl is young or old, the race of the girl is unknown as well as her level of beauty.  The picture can be appreciated because of the girl in context.  She is on a roof, looking down and pondering.  She could be watching a pedestrian.  She could be needing a few minutes to herself in order to relax.  Or she could be contemplating suicide.  The photo is beautiful because so much is unknown.

I should apologize because I forgot to give the photographer credit for this photo when I originally posted it on my blog.  This photograph was taken by  Emiro Zsahin.  The photograph can be found on the following site.http://www.behance.net/Emirozsahin.  The site also features many other beautiful black and white photographs.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.