Ansel Adams’ Discipline, Work Schedule & Photography Advice
In the latest episode of Advancing Your Photography, “Ansel Adams’ Photography of Yosemite & Carmel,” we’re inside Ansel Adam’s home and workroom in Carmel By-the-Sea, California. We’re talking with his son Michael, this time, about Ansel’s book, “The Range of Light,” along with the dramatic quality of his art, his work discipline and his advice for you, on how to advance your photography.
The Range of Light
“The Range of Light” _Photo Credit: Marc Silber
“The Range of Light” is the name John Muir gave to the Sierra Nevadas. In Ansel’s book, “The Range of Light,” the images date back to the early ‘2os through the 1960-70s. Ansel had a total library of approximately 40,000 images. A majority of those images were taken in the Sierra Nevadas and Yosemite. In order to create “The Range of Light,” Ansel had to whittle down his 40,000 images to a couple thousand.
“You’re looking at his selection of what he thought was important in Yosemite and Sierra Nevadas.” _Michael Adams
Winter Sunrise in Sierra Nevadas, 1944 _Photo Credit: Ansel Adams
One of the photographs in the book is “Winter Sunrise in Sierra Nevada.” Ansel took the image in 1944 when he was on his way to Manzanar War Recreation Center to meet with the Japanese Americans who were incarcerated. In the original image of the “Winter Sunrise,” there was a white “LP” in the foreground for the Lone Pine High School. Ansel spotted it for years, and eventually airbrushed it out of the photo.
Manzanar Gate, 1943 _Photo Credit: Ansel Adams
Ansel’s Daily Schedule & Discipline
If you could spend a day in the life of Ansel Adams, his son says this is what your schedule would look like:
8 AM- Breakfast
9Am-12p Writing, in the darkroom & developing images at home
12- Break for lunch
1p-6p- Back to writing, darkroom & developing
7pm- Nightcap of glass of wine or vodka tonic
When he was working on a project at home, Michael says his father was on a tight schedule. When Ansel was on the road, it was even “more hectic.” Light dictated Ansel’s schedule. Ansel knew when the light was best and where the light was best, but still, he sometimes had to rush to locations. Storms and clouds could change his plans in a second. His schedule was to get up early to catch the morning light, and stay up late for the sunsets in the evening.
Bridal Veil Fall, 1927 _Photo Credit: Ansel Adams
Ansel’s Childhood & Education
Ansel Adam’s Childhood & Education _Photo Credit: Ansel Adams’ Gallery
Ansel Adams’ received his 8th grade diploma. That was the end of his formal education. Ansel’s parents took him out of school but continued to tutor him in Greek, Latin and math. His father also taught him French. “He had a much wider experience and education than most 8th graders after that,” said Michael.
At the beginning of his photography career, Ansel had a “photofinishing friend” in San Francisco that helped him develop those skills. Other than that, Michael says his father was “self-taught.” Michael said Ansel didn’t have any photographer friends per say that helped him. Instead Ansel experimented and read voraciously.
Why Ansel Didn’t Photograph Big Sur & Carmel
Pacific Coastline, 1946 _Photo Credit: Ansel Adams
Ansel didn’t move to the area until 1960s. He focused on photographs
“I don’t think he wanted to move in on Edward Weston’s part of the world.” Ansel would take a few photographs of Point Lobos or the coastline, but he never did extensive work. Michael said his dad didn’t want to move on the area Edward was so well known about. Ansel supported Edward. Anse’sl wife even published a book with Edward’s photographs in the 1950s.
Ansel’s Advice
Experiment. Get out there and see what the world is all about. Enjoy what you are doing.
Monterey Coastline _Photo Credit: Ansel Adams
Thank you to Michael Adams and the Ansel Adams’ Gallery for allowing us to share Ansel’s wonderful stories and amazing photographs.
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