Digital Landscape Photography: In the Footsteps of Ansel Adams

by Michael Frye

Ansel Adams (1902-1984) was a pioneer of landscape photography, whose imagery-especially his iconic views of the American National Parks--is widely published and instantly recognizable. While he is undoubtedly one of the best-loved and best-known visionaries of American art, photographers also recognize him as a pioneer of technique, a theoretician, and as one of the great teachers of the craft of photography.

His zone system has been widely adapted, but Adams unique imagery also relied on his determination and application at every stage of the photographic process; he spent years in his darkroom, as well as out in the open air. For decades, this kind of attention to detail required the kind of equipment, time, and facilities that were out of the reach of most photographers--but now, in the digital age, technology has finally made his techniques accessible.

This book will show you what can be learned from Adams working process, and how these lessons can be applied today. The craft of Adams photography is discussed, and the ZONE SYSTEM is related to the digital age. Sections on light, composition, mood, and the darkroom all show what can be achieved today using and understanding his thinking. Michael Frye's own photography provides many stunning examples of the results that can be achieved and, as one of Adams' natural successors in the field, he is well placed to analyze the inspirational shots which open each chapter.

Genres: Photography, Nonfiction, Reference

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

I'm a professional photographer specializing in landscapes and nature.

I live in Mariposa, California, just outside Yosemite National Park with my wife Claudia (our son Kevin is just out of college), and have lived either in or near Yosemite since 1983.

I thoroughly enjoy teaching photography, sharing what I've learned over the years, and helping others express their photographic vision.

You can connect with me on my blog, website, Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has aged surprisingly well. Despite being 15 years old I found many of the techniques and insights quite useful and have given me a range of new ideas to try when taking and processing photos. Some of these techniques will need to be adapted (e.g. some of the "photoshop only" techniques now have equivalents in Lightroom) but that process is relatively straightforward. The zone system and processing order sections are two that I'm looking forward to trying out.

One oddity of the book is my physical copy has its cover glued on upside down! Very unnerving every time I picked it up. I'm curious whether a whole print run of the book had this defect or this was just a one off.

[Jerry Cagle · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best of its genre in terms of clarity and utility. Michael has a way of simplifying the concepts and application of those in a practical way that is not as common as it should be. Highly recommended...!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative and helpful. Gorgeous example photographs. I'm planning on reading the other similar books in the future.

[Carlos Quijano · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this book has some wonderful images, I was a bit disappointed. It didn't provide me with any real knew knowledge to improve my photography. It lacked two things: first, it could have used some more Adams and Walker ; and second, it lacked analysis, in particular of those Adams and Walker images that are present in light of digital photography and how digital photography changes (or doesn't change) our approach to landscape photography. Nevertheless, it contains the best discussion of Adams's Zone System as it applies to digital photography. It was a bit brief and formulaic, but well illustrated. For that alone it was worth reading.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a keen budding photographer I picked this book out to gain some background & knowledge on landscape photography. I chose Ansel Adams to study for obvious reasons & in this book I first read about the zone system that Ansel Adams & Fred Archer developed.
As a quick read this book has given me heaps of vital first steps into capturing our landcape especially through watching the lighting. It also gives a small insight into the masters Ansel Adams, Edward Weston & Eliot Porter, while Michael Frye's photography in the book is very inspiring.

[John Orman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since this book has many photos taken by Ansel Adams in Yosemite, I used this book as one of my photo guides during my recent tour of Yosemite.

Adams was a great teacher of photographic technique and print development. This book describes Adams' Zone System as applied in the digital age. Michael Frye has provided many prints of landscape photos to demonstrate many techniques for improving our photographic vision.

[Maurice · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book about a great photographer by a great photographer. Ansel Adams is a master and his pictures show, just as Michael Frye is showing in his beautiful landscape images.

The hints and tips are very useful, and his thesis that post-processing was just as common in the darkroom as it is today, was an eyeopener ;-)

I marked this book as Read, but it will never leave my table!

[thirtytwobirds · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're brand new to photography and want a book about landscapes, this is probably a good choice. It's pretty basic but still has plenty of good information. And it does refer back to Ansel Adams' work enough to give you some good ideas.

If you're an experienced photographer, skip this one and go straight to Adams' own books.

[Ben Royal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding, especially on use of Lightroom 3.

[João Lamas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for all who love Landscape photography

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought this was excellent--really helpful, cornet examples of both shooting and post-processing for the best landscape photographs.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reference book.