Ansel Adams: The National Parks Service Photographs

by Ansel Adams, Alice Gray (Introduction)

The invitation to photograph the nation's parklands was the perfect assignment for Adams, as it allowed him to express his deepest convictions as artist, conservationist, and citizen. These stunning photographs of the natural geysers and terraces in Yellowstone, the rocks and ravines in the Grand Canyon, the winding rivers and majestic mountains in Glacier and Grand Teton national parks, the mysterious Carlsbad Caverns, the architecture of ancient Indian villages, and many other evocative views of the American West demonstrate the genius of Adams' technical and aesthetic inventiveness.

In these glorious, seminal images we see the inspired reverence for the wilderness that has made Ansel Adams' work an enduring influence on environmentalism as well as art.

Genres: Photography, Art, Nonfiction, Nature, Travel, Art and Photography, Reference

352 pages, Hardcover

First published May 21, 1992

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

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

"In 1941, Adams was offered [a commercial] assignment that directly engaged his inner sensibility, one that not only required technical virtuosity but also called upon his self-expression as an artist, conservationist, and citizen: he was asked to photograph the national parks, monuments, Indian lands, and reclamation projects administered by the Department of Interior." -- page 7

From autumn 1941 until late spring 1942 photographer Ansel Adams was sent on an assignment by the U.S. Department of Interior to photograph natural landscapes (in western and northwestern states including Arizona, California, Montana, and Wyoming) for subject matter to eventually decorate a new federal government building. The project fizzled - America's involvement in World War II was the main factor - although Adams had followed through on his end so the dozens of pictures were saved and not forgotten. Presented here in an expanded edition - this book was originally published in 1992 - are those trademark stark but stylish b&w images from parks such as the Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone. This was a very nice collection, with the right amount of detailed introductory text which provides necessary background information.

[w gall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic b & w photos of spectacular scenery in US National Parks (mostly those out west in the Rocky Mountain region) I could hardly put it down at first.

[Amy (Other Amy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a delight. Largely because all things Ansel Adams are a delight, and also because these images of the American west speak to me in the language of home, everywhere and always.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cover alone is enough to throw me into reverie: the Grand Tetons and the Snake River. My family used to vacation in the West in summertime when I was a child, and my wife grew up in Wyoming. More commonly the landscape I paint in my head would involve a lake and pine trees, with a boat somewhere in the picture, but the Rockies have an obvious grandeur that leaves me (as most people, I suppose) awestruck.

[Karyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masterful as always.

[Ari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this as a gift and picked it up recenty and started looking at it for the pictures. However, there's a lot more to this one than pictures. Actually, if you're looking for the Ansel Adams classics that everyone knows, don't look here. This book is something else entirely, lots of 'lost negatives' that haven't been published much or at all before, lots of the 'famous pictures' from another perspective, or 3 or 4 steps off. Really fascinating to see the light and outlook on the entire scene change from what you think you know. Also, throughout the book, and in a special appendix at the end are numerous copies of letters and telegrams that Adams wrote, especially to lawmakers dealing with the National Parks creation/preservation, over the course of his career. A new take on Ansel Adams as activist. Worth the read!

[Grant]

I made the mistake of not checking the dimensions of the book when I tucked it into an online order a while back (no, 'pocket' or 'tiny' were not in the title...). Despite paper and print quality, the small square pocket size just doesn't work for murals and landscapes like this, especially since they have to be split across two pages.

In terms of the content itself, there's plenty of lovely work that complements the more famous Yosemite studies, and a sprinkling of macro or portrait shots that show Adams wasn't "just" a landscape photographer. I think being a little more liberal with thinning out the selection of images might have helped...there a few duds per se, but there are some less remarkable images or examples of Adams shooting different compositions or focal lengths of the same scene that didn't feel entirely necessary.

[Alison Whiteman · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Wilderness, or wildness, is a mystique. A religion, an intense philosophy, a dream of ideal society- these are also mystiques." -Ansel Adams

Donald Trump, we the people of this nation will not allow you and your minions to destroy our National Parks.

This is an amazing book. Never have we had to fight this hard to preserve the sacred earth as we have during this absurd administration.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Photos are very nice if black and white photos are your thing (the ones of man made stuff were a fitting but unusual inclusion as most books about AA’s stuff are very nature heavy for obvious reason). The intro was actually a great primer on why a reader should care about this kind of collection - especially beneficial for folks that don’t have much experience with this kind of work.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1941, Ansel Adams began to photograph the National Parks for a project that was cut short by America's entry into WWII and never continued after the war. This book contains many dramatic shots of the Grand Tetons, the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, the Hoover Dam, and many other locations. Breathtaking and timeless.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a pleasure to see photos of some of the parks I have visited and a want to get out and visit the ones I have yet to see.

In 1941, the Interior Department contracted Adams to take photographs for the Mural Project. Due to the US involvement into WWII the project was abandoned. This is the results of some of the photos which had been taken. The book is broken down into the different parks.

[Lk]

I mean it's Ansel Adams, you know what photographs to expect. My only gripe was how Alice Gray started with "As artist and activist, Ansel Adams..." in her Introduction without giving much depth to the "activist" hat in her text.

[Edmond · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures throughout the years. I wish the book was a bit organized and had shown him photograph them. Nowadays we need more of the beautiful pictures he took and his thoughts on the pictures.

[Judi French · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE BOOK OFFERS A COLLECTION OF ANSEL ADAMS' PHOTORGRAPHS OF THE NATIONAL PARKS AS WELL AS HIS ESSAYS AND LETTERS ON PROTECTING THEM.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning and profound photos. Thought-provoking and still-relevant writings. I borrowed this book from a library but am eager to purchase this book to revisit again and again.

[Artie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't read the text, just enjoyed the photos.

[Rachel Helden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing artist and work that sings as much today as when this was first published. Includes quotes from Adams that I really enjoyed as well, giving readers an inside look at the man himself.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

holding the Tetons in my hand, remembering the drive when I stopped in Zion, wondering which shots might have become murals, wanting to know the Native names for every peak & place

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ansel Adams is the father of national park photography. I could look at his photos all day and be inspired!

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up in the gift shop at Zion National Park last week. It's fantastic! Ansel Adams photographs really don't need any commentary.

What I really liked about this book is how the author included letters and telegrams that Ansel Adams sent to members of Congress. He frequently lobbied for preservation of some of our national parks. He wasn't just a guy who took pretty pictures. He was the head of the Sierra Club for a time and he was very active in protecting the national parks that he photographed.

On a side note, this book helped me compose mountain shots at Red Rock Canyon several days later.

[BJ Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ansel Adams first personally experienced the beauty and grandeur of Yosemite National Park when he was 14 years old. About a decade later, he began his lifelong work of preserving the beauty of nature by photographing as much of the wilderness areas as he could, and by using those photos to lobby Congress to preserve the national park areas. Many of the letters he wrote to presidents and to various members of government are included here.

The photos in this book remind me of areas already visited and enjoyed, and make me want to visit other parks that are known to me only by name.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, 80 awesome images of US National Parks and Monuments and excerpts from several of Ansel Adams essays and letters in support of improving the NPS, our National Parks and conservation. Whether you are conservative or liberal, I'm sure you'll agree with his thoughtful writings. I know I do! I can't help feel that we've over commercialized our parks. Our family was amazed a few years back when we visited several of Canada's National Parks and saw absolutely no concession stands and very little signage. Course there was also fewer people!

[Lesley Looper · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful collection of photographs! Many of these were popular shots, but I also enjoyed seeing ones I hadn't seen before (or remembered, anyway). Seeing this book made me want to return to Yellowstone and Grand Teton, and to see many national parks that I've missed.

[Reuel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Photo essays. Beautiful photos.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not know much about Ansel Adams, however, this book not only told me who he was and what he was about, it enabled me to see into his thought process and his idea of beauty.

[Stephanie Cosby · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT

[Tina Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ansel Adams does not disappoint! His images are amazing, and the stories that he tells about capturing them!

[Sheila Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ansel Adams is one of, if not the greatest nature photographers of all time. This book is a great look of the US National Parks through the lens of his camera.

[David Corleto-Bales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big flaw: not enough Oregon.