The Ansel Adams Guide: Basic Techniques of Photography, Book 1

Ansel Adams Guide to the Basic Techniques of Photography #1

by John P. Schaefer

With new illustrations and up-to-date information on the latest technological advancements, this essential revised guide for the beginner photographer presents Ansel Adams' unique, systematic approach to photography. 360 photos, 42 in color. 94 line drawings.

Genres: Photography, Nonfiction, Reference, Art, How To

407 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1999

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a reference manual that explores the workings of the film camera from start to finish and the techniques necessary to use it. Basics such as f-stop, shutter speed, and framing the image apply to any camera, film or digital and should be understood thoroughly by any photographer. Author John P. Schaefer uses the words and photos of Ansel Adams, as well as Adams' approach to teaching to lead the reader through the basics of camera operation to the more elaborate tasks involved in properly (manually) exposing a photo and developing both black and white and color negatives.

One of Adams' quotes should be particularly heeded by digital photographers: "One is beguiled by the quick viewing and operation, and by the very questionable inclination to make many pictures with the hope that some will be good. In a sequence of exposures, there is always one better than others, but that does not mean it is a fine photograph!" I have witnessed the propensity of digital photographers to take many poor photos because it only "costs" them the shutter life of the camera; photographers of all types would benefit from slowing down to absorb Ansel Adams' theories.

Schaefer takes the reader step-by-step through the teaching process as laid out by Adams. This is hardly a beginner's manual, but it does explain the the basics of techniques and equipment before launching into whole chapters, such as "Determining Film Exposure", "Developing the Negative", "Making a Fine Print", or "Color Film Development and Printing." Adams' photos and quotes are used advantageously throughout the book to illustrate the information and advice presented.

Although I would liked to have read more about platinum, palladium, and silver gelatin printing, I found this book to be a very comprehensive "beginner's" manual. Notwithstanding the fact that I currently have a photography business using Nikon digital equipment, and possibly because of it, I found this book to be very informative. I have made black-and-white prints from old family photos under the guidance of my husband and a friend many years ago, and now what we did makes sense. Even if you are strictly a digital photographer, the chapter "Visualization: The Art of Seeing a Photograph" is recommended. This book is relevant material for the digital photographer, but a goldmine for anyone wanting to work in black-and-white film and printing.

[Joel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am always on the hunt for well written and informative books about the ins-and outs of film photography and when I saw this one at the used book shop I had to snap it up, and glad I did! It is as the title implies "the Basic Techniques of Photography" using Ansel Adams as examples through-out the book. There is quite a bit of information in here, and, for an amature camera buff this book will not disapoint. It starts with the equipment used for film photography and stretches all the way to darkroom techniques, printing in Black & White and in Color. A bit expensive if bought new but if you can find a good used copy or in your library, go for it.

[Lisa Anetsberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I was just beginning in photography in the mid-1980s, Ansel Adams was a source of great inspiration to me. Ansel was an incredible photographer, but I found his writing hard to follow. When John P. Schaefer wrote this book in 1992, it changed my ability to photograph. He drew upon Adams' knowledge in the books The Camera, The Negative, and The Print, but added much more in a very easy to read and comprehend text. It helped me to understand the Zone System, and added great depth to my own work in photography. I am very grateful to John Schaefer for writing this book.

[Harold Citron · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave the book 2 stars not out of a deficiency in the material, but more that it was more detailed than I was looking for (as a rank beginner photographer).

[Courtney H · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but very outdated. Only worth reading in its entirety if you plan on pursuing film photography.

[Arvin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Note! Despite the title... the author is NOT Ansel Adams... it does contain excerpts from Ansel Adam's Making of 40 photographers in it though.

It is vague useful to see how things were done in the past... but 80% of the book is devoted to film photography (types of film, exposure, developing, printing) which is not applicable to digital photographers. The Zone System is super cool and excellent... but is primarily again based on film (you expose to keep the shadows from being blocked into full black... then you choose a development process to keep the highlight detail).

[Nathan]

I really enjoyed reading this book, although I skimmed some of it because it wasn't relevant to digital photography. It contained lots of quotes from Ansel Adams and lots of pictures with discussion of why and how the photo was taken.