America's Wilderness: The Photographs of Ansel Adams

by Ansel Adams, John Muir, Elaine M. Bucher

2002 marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of Ansel Adams, whose landmark early photographs of wild America, originally taken for the Works Progress Administration, fill the pages of this splendid volume. Adams's breathtaking images are accompanied by excerpts from the writings of Sierra Club founder John Muir, the renowned conservationist who devoted his life to celebrating and preserving the American wildnerness.

Genres: Photography, Art, Nonfiction, Nature, Reference, Coffee Table Books

128 pages, Hardcover

First published November 15, 1990

About the author

People note black-and-white photographs of the American wilderness of American photographer Ansel Easton Adams.

Though wilderness and the environment were his grand passions, photography was his calling, his metier, his raison d'etre.

From: Ansel Adams, Photographer

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ansel_A...

Reviews

[Chip · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this age of digital cameras and photoshop, youTube and social networking, it would seem a waste of time to purchase, let alone browse, an oversized book of black and white landscape photographs. I doubt any of the children of the digital age would give it a glance. Those who know beauty, however, would do as I have and snap this book up and admire it often. These are no ordinary photographs. Ansel Adams was no ordinary photographer. Each photo is a carefully crafted composition, beginning with location. He would set up his camera (after backpacking it for miles across untracked wilderness) and reposition it ceaselessly until he found the right spot to make a photograph. Then it was time to wait for the proper light. He had to choose the correct exposure and film. Finally, for a few moments, everything was sublime and an exposure was made. Yet the composition was only beginning. Adams processed his own film and created his own enlargements in the darkroom, spending days working with a negative to bring forth the beauty of the image he had witnessed when he took the photo.

All of the images are black and white. By removing color, the eye (and the mind) of the viewer becomes aware of the significance of the varying degrees of light. Structural details you wouldn't notice in color become clear when viewed in black and white. Most important of all, and this is due to Adams' diligence in the darkroom, is the balance of light and dark in his compositions. It is a difficult concept to convey in words, but looking at the photos one can see the visual harmony of light and shadow from picture to picture. There is a conversation taking place in the eye, with Adams silently pointing out the light, guiding us to see what he's saying. This communication is art at it's best, and any creative person - writer, photographer, painter, poet - can learn a lot about conveying their ideas by spending a few quiet moments meditating on these images. This is art that transcends time and genre. Soak it in; it will serve you well.

[Shelley Diamond · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected to really like this book. I figured that Adams' photos and Muir's writing would be a perfect match but somehow it failed to touch me. Something about the black and white imagery just didn't connect me to the natural beauty. I think I need the natural color to feel that connection. And I guess I feel that nature can't be touched with words. I think I'm so in awe of nature that it's a nonverbal experience and words about it seem doomed to fall short of coming close to nature's majesty....

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've had this sitting around for a while now, and I have gazed through the photos. I do wish that each picture had a caption of what was pictured rather than have a credit/index for this at the end. There were countless times where I would think a view was familiar (RMNP) to have to look at the book to verify if I was correct or not.However, I decided to actually read John Muir's words today to find inspiration to go outside, and to just be overwhelmed with the beauty our country has, and hopefully, will continue to have despite the forest fires raging in the West currently.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic selection of quotes from Muir to accompany Adams’ photographs. I had not seen many of them and was glad to experience something new from him. I especially like them because they were taken before his move to grander, colder landscapes.

My only complaint is the lack of citations for Muir’s quotes. Full credits are provided for the photos. We are told, in general, which books the quotes were drawn from, but the quotes themselves are not linked to any specific volume.

[Yesmo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to review a book thats just short but brilliant excerpts from John Muirs writings next to incredible photos by my favorite photographer... so, I'll just write that its hard to review that type of book instead.

[Laura Mowle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book. Enjoyed every moment.

[Gina Zappa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ansel. Adams. Photographs. What's not to love here people?!

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exquisite verbal and visual exhibition. Naturally.

[Christopher Manske · Rating 5 out of 5]

This coffee table book is an amazing collaboration between two great Americans who stand for the priceless natural heritage of the U.S.A.

[Whole And · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breath taking images awaken the spirit, even in black and white, with beautiful musings by John Muir. A beautiful book to spend some intimate time with and enjoy with loved ones.

[Jon Ander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muir's texts can result dull and monotonous, apart from cheesy. Maybe is the result of the editor having chosen the most poetic-like texts by him, but they totally fail to support or complement the pictures. In m y case, they distract more than add anything interesting. The pictures, on the other hand, are the gold standard of b&w landscape photography. Period. Hence the 4 stars.

[keereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

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