During his career, Ansel Adams often said "Good photography is knowing where to stand". This location is indeed crucial in landscape photography, as here, with a boat tied to the foot of a tree in the middle of the water.
Before each shot, Ansel Adams took time to observe the landscape, to study the way the different elements interacted with each other, but also to observe the strength and direction of the light. See more
As the photographer himself pointed out, he was able to construct the final image before he even took the shot. If he was passionate about the picture he was visualizing, chances are it would make a good picture. This is both an intuitive sense and an ability that takes a lot of practice. The lesson here is to take your time when you get there.
About Ansel Adams
American photographer, born in San Francisco, Ansel Adams is one of the pioneers of photography.
He made his first photographs in 1916 in Yosemite National Park, California. From the beginning, he showed a passion for America's magnificent landscapes. Intended to become a pianist, his meeting with Paul Strand in 1930 would leave an indelible mark on him, confirming his vision of a photography that was pure and devoid of artifice. See more
In 1932, Ansel Adams founded the now famous "f/64" group with exceptional photographers such as Edward Weston, John Paul Edwards and Williard van Dyke. Their line of conduct: close the diaphragm to its maximum - that of the photographic cameras of the time - and capture the landscapes with the greatest precision and the smallest details, thanks to a depth of field extending from the foreground to infinity.
Ansel Adams will devote a large part of his life - and work - to American national parks. Through the purity of his images, he will contribute to their preservation and arouse the general public's enthusiasm for nature, even encouraging the creation of new protected areas. All the photographs of Ansel Adams National Parks together make up 24 albums.