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The Portfolios of Ansel Adams

Original Cover Image titled “Mount McKinley Alaska 1948”

The particular book I chose happened to be an Illinois State University library recreation of the original 1977 publication first signed out in 1987. This book came complete with student notes and excessive and sometimes pointless use of highlighters, as well as pen and pencil annotations for those who couldn’t be bothered with a copy machine or the old fashion way of using a notebook. On fine example of a student decided to keep page 21-22 all to themselves.

The book is a chronological archive of Adam’s portfolios starting in 1948 with Portfolio I. It is important to note that even though these portfolios are in chronological order, the shots chosen were intentionally not placed in order of creation.

Each section of the book is preceded by a cover page including the title of the portfolio and the year it was released along with a title should it have one.The back of the page at minimum is filled with quotes from Ansel Adams which is also followed by the portfolio’s dedication. The following page is the index of the photographs which make up the portfolio and includes the title, location, year taken, and page number.

1. Noon, Glacier National Park, Montana, 1942, p. 21

Each photograph is given its own page accompanied by a page number provided in the books traditional serif font set to a small size. Borders for each images are proportionate to each photo depending how it sits within the page.

PORTFOLIO I - 1948

Consisting of 12 photographs taken from 1938 to 1948 from six states (Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, New York and Utah) Portfolio I was an examination of endless moments of the world and were dedicated to Alfred Stieglitz.

Roots, Foster Gardens, Honolulu T.H., 1948, p. 12

Alfred Stieglitz, An American Place, New York, 1938, p. 13  

PORTFOLIO II - 1950 - National Parks & Monuments

Consisting of photographs taken from 1941 through 1949, this particular portfolio examined mountain  and landscapes  through several nation parks based on the advice of Albert Bender whom Adams says “possessed the belief of the importance of beauty, and integrity of the individual” and told Adams to follow his camera after seeing his early mountain photographs. This book was aptly dedicated to Albert Bender with an excerpt from Walt Whitman’s “Starting from Paumanok”.

White House Ruin, morning, Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona, 1949, p. 24

Zabriskie Point, Death Valley national Monument, California, 1942, p. 32

PORTFOLIO III - 1960 - Yosemite Valley

Preceded by a page long dedicate to his love for Yosemite Valley and dedication to Nancy and Beaumont Newhall, this portfolio contains 16 photographs depicting the beautiful landscape within Yosemite Valley

El Capitan, sunrise, 1956, p.46

Winter Storm,1944, p. 49

PORTFOLIO IV - 1963 - What Majestic Word

Dedicated to the memory of Russel Varian, each photo in this 15 image portfolio is in some way, shape or form related things Russel Varian loved. Complete with a page long dedication to same man, Ansel Adams displays his affection and admiration for a friend who had a profound love for nature and its existence. Photographs range in age from 1920 to 1963 in this portfolio.

Sequoia Roots, Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park, California, ca. 1950, p. 62

Dunes, Oceano, California, 1963, p.64

PORTFOLIO V - 1970

A shorter then usual portfolio, this particular one opens with a page long description by Nancy Newhall, a photography critic who commonly accompanied Adam’s work with writing.

Woman Behind Screen Door, Independence, California, ca. 1944, p. 88

Pipes and Gauges, West Virginia, 1939, p. 90

PORTFOLIO VI - 1974

Opening with a single page short dedication to Gottardo Piazzoni and Edward Weston, Adams expresses his appreciation for these men’s ability to encourage him to observe the beauty of this world and interpret it through his photography. This portfolio is also s shorter collection, only containing 10 photographs which is accompanied by a page and a half narrative by Beaumont and Nancy Newhall.

Silverton, Colorado, 1951, p. 100

Still Life, San Francisco, California, ca. 1932, p. 102

Gottardo Piazzoni in his studio, San Fransisco, California, ca. 1932, p. 106

PORTFOLIO VII - 1976

The final portfolio included in this publication is a series of 12 scenes that Adams refers to as “a partial vista of his life” where he states that he hopes his work will “encourage self expression in others and stimulate the search for beauty and creative excitement in the world around us“.  Adams continues his page long opening dedicating and paying homage to David Hunter McAlpin  who he considers a true friend and benefactor of photography.

Gerry Sharpe, Ouray, Colorado, 1958, p. 115

Tree, Stump and Mist, Nothern Cascades, Washington, 1958, p. 114

White Branches, Mono Lake, California, 1950

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Thomas Heaton

Thomas Heaton is a photographer, videographer, and Youtube personality from the United Kingdom. from 2000 to 2003 Thomas shot on film and began taking photography seriously. Eventually he purchased his first DSLR, a Canon 350D,  in 2006. Several years later while working as a video technician, Thomas left his job to become a full-time freelance photographer.

Meteor over the UK

It was 10.54 p.m. and me and my missus were star gazing at Galloway Forest Park when the largest meteor I could ever imagine seeing flew straight above our head. My first thought was a plane crash, as it lit up the whole area. I quickly realized it was a comet and grabbed my camera to take a quick snap.

The Road (Iceland)

Driving under flat grey skies, searching for inspiration was proving difficult. Just as I was on the homeward stretch, the skies came to life offering thunderous, swirling clouds with hurricane strength winds. This was exactly what I had been hoping for. Steadying myself, I wrestled with my tripod and managed to fire off a shot looking back down the road on Snaefellsnes Peninsula. 

Bauchaille Etive Mor

After a pre-dawn hike to the summit of Beinn a' Chrulaiste and a wonderful dawn shoot, I though the light was done. Stomping back down the hill, I was treated to a few seconds of glorious light streaming down the valley. I only had a moment to grab my camera and fire off a quick handheld bracketed exposure. Glad I did!

Wild Camp

A photograph of my tent overlooking Glenridding & Ullswater. The mist you can see forming was the start of a fantastic cloud inversion, which I would wake up to in complete awe.

Cuillins

After spending over an hour walking up and down the rocky coastline, I finally found a composition. The light was lovely, just as the sun was setting. I did get a little wet taking this image, but it was worth it. I would love to return and climb up in to the Cuillins. A stunning mountain range.

Zebras

For me, the most difficult part of wildlife photography is finding images with character and feeling. It is so easy to get caught in the trap of shooting endless animal portraits and no matter how sharp and technically perfect, if they lack soul and feeling, they become just another record shot. This is one of the best images from my recent safari, I have 20 other Zebra shots, but this one... this has character. I hope you agree, please give me feedback... good or bad.

Hello | Hummingbird

Hummingbird in Costa Rica. I was very lucky to capture this, not only to get so close, but to have enough time to press my shutter.

http://thomasheaton.co.uk/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/thomasheaton/

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Awwww YEAH!

Just so you know, this is a demo post just to prove i can do the internetz!

Photo for proof of mediocre skills, foo!