the times we live in today are radically different from those of the young Ansel
different from those of the young Ansel
different from those of the young Ansel Adams does it still hold true the art in
Adams does it still hold true the art in
Adams does it still hold true the art in nature can be inspirational I believe
nature can be inspirational I believe
nature can be inspirational I believe there will always be the human need for
there will always be the human need for
there will always be the human need for affirmation and inspiration of the kind
affirmation and inspiration of the kind
affirmation and inspiration of the kind immortalized by Adams in his photographs
immortalized by Adams in his photographs
immortalized by Adams in his photographs our spirits our own inner beauty spring
our spirits our own inner beauty spring
our spirits our own inner beauty spring from the same source
from the same source
from the same source it sees rocks trees and reflecting
it sees rocks trees and reflecting
it sees rocks trees and reflecting waters tonight we’re going to talk about
waters tonight we’re going to talk about
waters tonight we’re going to talk about a place sort of the different components
a place sort of the different components
a place sort of the different components about this place the first is the actual
about this place the first is the actual
about this place the first is the actual physical geography of it it was
physical geography of it it was
physical geography of it it was designated one of the first wilderness
designated one of the first wilderness
designated one of the first wilderness areas when the Wilderness Act was passed
areas when the Wilderness Act was passed
areas when the Wilderness Act was passed most of this wilderness is in the higher
most of this wilderness is in the higher
most of this wilderness is in the higher elevation what they call the High Sierra
elevation what they call the High Sierra
elevation what they call the High Sierra the second part I wanted to talk about
the second part I wanted to talk about
the second part I wanted to talk about was the early work of Ansel Adams that’s
was the early work of Ansel Adams that’s
was the early work of Ansel Adams that’s associated with this particular area
associated with this particular area
associated with this particular area this was where Ansel Adams developed his
this was where Ansel Adams developed his
this was where Ansel Adams developed his love of nature was an employee with the
love of nature was an employee with the
love of nature was an employee with the Sierra Club and kind of where he
Sierra Club and kind of where he
Sierra Club and kind of where he mastered his craft of photography the
mastered his craft of photography the
mastered his craft of photography the third part I wanted to try and show some
third part I wanted to try and show some
third part I wanted to try and show some of my work how he influenced me this was
of my work how he influenced me this was
of my work how he influenced me this was a picture that I took in 1977 I had read
a picture that I took in 1977 I had read
a picture that I took in 1977 I had read a lot of the Ansel Adams basic manuals
a lot of the Ansel Adams basic manuals
a lot of the Ansel Adams basic manuals and sort of learned a lot about
and sort of learned a lot about
and sort of learned a lot about photography and the love of landscape
photography and the love of landscape
photography and the love of landscape photography from reading those Ansel
photography from reading those Ansel
photography from reading those Ansel Adams books and then the fourth part was
Adams books and then the fourth part was
Adams books and then the fourth part was obvious the new work that I’ve done this
obvious the new work that I’ve done this
obvious the new work that I’ve done this landscape series this picture I just
landscape series this picture I just
landscape series this picture I just took but we’re sort of in a helicopter
took but we’re sort of in a helicopter
took but we’re sort of in a helicopter hovering over Jun Lake and looking back
hovering over Jun Lake and looking back
hovering over Jun Lake and looking back and up the snowy part in the back there
and up the snowy part in the back there
and up the snowy part in the back there is the Ansel Adams wilderness so I just
is the Ansel Adams wilderness so I just
is the Ansel Adams wilderness so I just had a few the color pictures this is the
had a few the color pictures this is the
had a few the color pictures this is the most remote area in the North Fork of
most remote area in the North Fork of
most remote area in the North Fork of the San Joaquin River the year that I
the San Joaquin River the year that I
the San Joaquin River the year that I was there
was there
was there almost 50 feet of snow in the mountain
almost 50 feet of snow in the mountain
almost 50 feet of snow in the mountain in the foreground there is about Ansel
in the foreground there is about Ansel
in the foreground there is about Ansel Adams there’s actually also a mountain
Adams there’s actually also a mountain
Adams there’s actually also a mountain named after him but it’s unique about a
named after him but it’s unique about a
named after him but it’s unique about a lot of the Ansel Adams wilderness it’s
lot of the Ansel Adams wilderness it’s
lot of the Ansel Adams wilderness it’s metamorphic rock there’s this one little
metamorphic rock there’s this one little
metamorphic rock there’s this one little area it’s not the typical granite that
area it’s not the typical granite that
area it’s not the typical granite that you find a lot of the Sierras and it’s
you find a lot of the Sierras and it’s
you find a lot of the Sierras and it’s amazing water the very clean crystal
amazing water the very clean crystal
amazing water the very clean crystal clear blue water dana lake and the
clear blue water dana lake and the
clear blue water dana lake and the storms that come from the pacific and
storms that come from the pacific and
storms that come from the pacific and they hit the mountains and form these
they hit the mountains and form these
they hit the mountains and form these afternoon thunderstorms and of course
afternoon thunderstorms and of course
afternoon thunderstorms and of course the waters of the main theme Rainbow
the waters of the main theme Rainbow
the waters of the main theme Rainbow Falls and the forests this is one area
Falls and the forests this is one area
Falls and the forests this is one area there’s a Aspen’s also a lot of
there’s a Aspen’s also a lot of
there’s a Aspen’s also a lot of evergreens so I wanted to give a little
evergreens so I wanted to give a little
evergreens so I wanted to give a little bit of the history of how Ansel Adams
bit of the history of how Ansel Adams
bit of the history of how Ansel Adams got involved with this area this is a
got involved with this area this is a
got involved with this area this is a picture of his father on the left and
picture of his father on the left and
picture of his father on the left and mother and Ansel when he was 14 years
mother and Ansel when he was 14 years
mother and Ansel when he was 14 years old and his aunt this is his first trip
old and his aunt this is his first trip
old and his aunt this is his first trip to Yosemite and in his autobiography
to Yosemite and in his autobiography
to Yosemite and in his autobiography Ansel Adams said if he was a kid today
Ansel Adams said if he was a kid today
Ansel Adams said if he was a kid today he would be described as a DD child
he would be described as a DD child
he would be described as a DD child whatever it was he didn’t do well in
whatever it was he didn’t do well in
whatever it was he didn’t do well in school and his father took him out of
school and his father took him out of
school and his father took him out of school in the 8th grade and gave him
school in the 8th grade and gave him
school in the 8th grade and gave him some private tutoring in bottom of piano
some private tutoring in bottom of piano
some private tutoring in bottom of piano and he gave him some piano lessons and
and he gave him some piano lessons and
and he gave him some piano lessons and he took sort of took to that but he also
he took sort of took to that but he also
he took sort of took to that but he also gave him up a brownie camera and it went
gave him up a brownie camera and it went
gave him up a brownie camera and it went to Yosemite and he kind of fell in love
to Yosemite and he kind of fell in love
to Yosemite and he kind of fell in love with the place and by the time he was
with the place and by the time he was
with the place and by the time he was about 20 years old he had gotten this
about 20 years old he had gotten this
about 20 years old he had gotten this job as a caretaker of the LeConte
job as a caretaker of the LeConte
job as a caretaker of the LeConte memorial which is sort of a stone house
memorial which is sort of a stone house
memorial which is sort of a stone house that was sort of the clubhouse of the
that was sort of the clubhouse of the
that was sort of the clubhouse of the Sierra Club in Yosemite Valley it’s
Sierra Club in Yosemite Valley it’s
Sierra Club in Yosemite Valley it’s still there and he also started going on
still there and he also started going on
still there and he also started going on trips he bought his own burro to carry
trips he bought his own burro to carry
trips he bought his own burro to carry his camera equipment and that’s kind of
his camera equipment and that’s kind of
his camera equipment and that’s kind of the way they did it back then and he was
the way they did it back then and he was
the way they did it back then and he was one of the early rock climbers the man
one of the early rock climbers the man
one of the early rock climbers the man on the left is David Brower who was
on the left is David Brower who was
on the left is David Brower who was the longtime head of the Sierra Club and
the longtime head of the Sierra Club and
the longtime head of the Sierra Club and back then they were kids tennis shoes
back then they were kids tennis shoes
back then they were kids tennis shoes and just tied a rope together and they
and just tied a rope together and they
and just tied a rope together and they said if if one a person fell all that
said if if one a person fell all that
said if if one a person fell all that meant is that both of them would die but
meant is that both of them would die but
meant is that both of them would die but say there was no security or AAA it was
say there was no security or AAA it was
say there was no security or AAA it was pretty precarious ties but this is like
pretty precarious ties but this is like
pretty precarious ties but this is like 1930s but his job was to sort of be the
1930s but his job was to sort of be the
1930s but his job was to sort of be the logistics person for the summer high
logistics person for the summer high
logistics person for the summer high sierra trips they call them and it was
sierra trips they call them and it was
sierra trips they call them and it was primarily well-to-do businessmen from
primarily well-to-do businessmen from
primarily well-to-do businessmen from san francisco who really liked the
san francisco who really liked the
san francisco who really liked the Sierras and they would take a whole
Sierras and they would take a whole
Sierras and they would take a whole month off and they would come and
month off and they would come and
month off and they would come and basically camp out and the High Sierras
basically camp out and the High Sierras
basically camp out and the High Sierras and amazingly Adams would you know take
and amazingly Adams would you know take
and amazingly Adams would you know take care of everybody but he would get up
care of everybody but he would get up
care of everybody but he would get up early in the morning and take pictures
early in the morning and take pictures
early in the morning and take pictures and so a lot of the pictures that I’ll
and so a lot of the pictures that I’ll
and so a lot of the pictures that I’ll show you were taken actually during
show you were taken actually during
show you were taken actually during these one-month trips so he came of age
these one-month trips so he came of age
these one-month trips so he came of age in a era of pictorialism and this
in a era of pictorialism and this
in a era of pictorialism and this picture was one of his very first it
picture was one of his very first it
picture was one of his very first it looks kind of strangely modern now sort
looks kind of strangely modern now sort
looks kind of strangely modern now sort of a selective focus pictorialism was
of a selective focus pictorialism was
of a selective focus pictorialism was seen as sort of an imitation of painting
seen as sort of an imitation of painting
seen as sort of an imitation of painting and that’s eventually what people like
and that’s eventually what people like
and that’s eventually what people like Adams our rebelled against we actually
Adams our rebelled against we actually
Adams our rebelled against we actually know now that even before that it was
know now that even before that it was
know now that even before that it was the painters who sort of copied the
the painters who sort of copied the
the painters who sort of copied the camera obscura which is a form of
camera obscura which is a form of
camera obscura which is a form of photography so that’s sort of what
photography so that’s sort of what
photography so that’s sort of what really happened but in this era they
really happened but in this era they
really happened but in this era they used the lens that induced these
used the lens that induced these
used the lens that induced these spherical aberrations and made sort of a
spherical aberrations and made sort of a
spherical aberrations and made sort of a soft focus and was seen as sort of
soft focus and was seen as sort of
soft focus and was seen as sort of imitation of painting but he soon
imitation of painting but he soon
imitation of painting but he soon switched and this is one of his first
switched and this is one of his first
switched and this is one of his first kind of straight pictures and during
kind of straight pictures and during
kind of straight pictures and during this time they used glass plates and the
this time they used glass plates and the
this time they used glass plates and the emulsions were only sensitive to blue
emulsions were only sensitive to blue
emulsions were only sensitive to blue lights so all the skies would turn this
lights so all the skies would turn this
lights so all the skies would turn this sort of white color and it kind of gave
sort of white color and it kind of gave
sort of white color and it kind of gave atmospheric effect but in 1923 they
atmospheric effect but in 1923 they
atmospheric effect but in 1923 they switched to the emulsions where you
switched to the emulsions where you
switched to the emulsions where you could actually photograph by moonlight
could actually photograph by moonlight
could actually photograph by moonlight longer exposures and then the big
longer exposures and then the big
longer exposures and then the big advance was you could actually
advance was you could actually
advance was you could actually photograph clouds which was
photograph clouds which was
photograph clouds which was real important part of the Sierras is
real important part of the Sierras is
real important part of the Sierras is afternoon clouds that build up in the
afternoon clouds that build up in the
afternoon clouds that build up in the summertime so also it seemed to me in
summertime so also it seemed to me in
summertime so also it seemed to me in reading about it there was this big
reading about it there was this big
reading about it there was this big change sort of in his intellectual
change sort of in his intellectual
change sort of in his intellectual thinking it he went from sort of being
thinking it he went from sort of being
thinking it he went from sort of being the school brat and to writing things
the school brat and to writing things
the school brat and to writing things like this this is when some of his words
like this this is when some of his words
like this this is when some of his words from 1923 you said I was climbing the
from 1923 you said I was climbing the
from 1923 you said I was climbing the Long Ridge west of Mount Clark I was
Long Ridge west of Mount Clark I was
Long Ridge west of Mount Clark I was suddenly arrested in the long crunching
suddenly arrested in the long crunching
suddenly arrested in the long crunching path by an exceedingly pointed awareness
path by an exceedingly pointed awareness
path by an exceedingly pointed awareness of the light I saw more clearly than
of the light I saw more clearly than
of the light I saw more clearly than I’ve ever seen before or since the minut
I’ve ever seen before or since the minut
I’ve ever seen before or since the minut detail of the grasses the small float
detail of the grasses the small float
detail of the grasses the small float some of the forests the motion of the
some of the forests the motion of the
some of the forests the motion of the high clouds streaming above the peaks I
high clouds streaming above the peaks I
high clouds streaming above the peaks I dreamed that for a moment time stood
dreamed that for a moment time stood
dreamed that for a moment time stood quietly and the vision became but a
quietly and the vision became but a
quietly and the vision became but a shadow of an infinitely greater world so
shadow of an infinitely greater world so
shadow of an infinitely greater world so the other thing I thought was sort of
the other thing I thought was sort of
the other thing I thought was sort of interesting was he had believed that
interesting was he had believed that
interesting was he had believed that dead trees were more expressive than
dead trees were more expressive than
dead trees were more expressive than live ones so it took quite a few
live ones so it took quite a few
live ones so it took quite a few pictures of dead trees this is kind of a
pictures of dead trees this is kind of a
pictures of dead trees this is kind of a hostile environment when you get into
hostile environment when you get into
hostile environment when you get into high elevations so this is a Foxtel pine
high elevations so this is a Foxtel pine
high elevations so this is a Foxtel pine may have been dead 400 years or so it
may have been dead 400 years or so it
may have been dead 400 years or so it just stays there but he also embraced
just stays there but he also embraced
just stays there but he also embraced not only a rejection of pictorialism but
not only a rejection of pictorialism but
not only a rejection of pictorialism but this embrace of modernism Alfred
this embrace of modernism Alfred
this embrace of modernism Alfred Stieglitz had a saying that said art
Stieglitz had a saying that said art
Stieglitz had a saying that said art should be the affirmation of life and
should be the affirmation of life and
should be the affirmation of life and that’s throughout his whole career he
that’s throughout his whole career he
that’s throughout his whole career he always hung to that that it should be
always hung to that that it should be
always hung to that that it should be affirming he also had a belief he called
affirming he also had a belief he called
affirming he also had a belief he called it extracts he didn’t like with somebody
it extracts he didn’t like with somebody
it extracts he didn’t like with somebody called this picture abstract he thought
called this picture abstract he thought
called this picture abstract he thought that the role of the photographer was to
that the role of the photographer was to
that the role of the photographer was to extract a part of nature he called it to
extract a part of nature he called it to
extract a part of nature he called it to make form from shapes he thought all
make form from shapes he thought all
make form from shapes he thought all nature was just shapes and it was up to
nature was just shapes and it was up to
nature was just shapes and it was up to the artist to make form out of it and to
the artist to make form out of it and to
the artist to make form out of it and to extract and so this was sort of a
extract and so this was sort of a
extract and so this was sort of a radical view for the time if you think
radical view for the time if you think
radical view for the time if you think of a picture like this compared to the
of a picture like this compared to the
of a picture like this compared to the nineteen
nineteen
nineteen century photographers who are survey
century photographers who are survey
century photographers who are survey photographers would go out and their job
photographers would go out and their job
photographers would go out and their job was mainly to go out west survey take
was mainly to go out west survey take
was mainly to go out west survey take these pictures and go back east and show
these pictures and go back east and show
these pictures and go back east and show people what was out there but Adams
people what was out there but Adams
people what was out there but Adams really bought it you should sort of jekt
really bought it you should sort of jekt
really bought it you should sort of jekt your emotional state feelings toward the
your emotional state feelings toward the
your emotional state feelings toward the environment or toward the landscape
environment or toward the landscape
environment or toward the landscape there’s a little bit of a story behind
there’s a little bit of a story behind
there’s a little bit of a story behind this picture it’s called the Michael
this picture it’s called the Michael
this picture it’s called the Michael minaret and one of those well-to-do
minaret and one of those well-to-do
minaret and one of those well-to-do hurly Sierra Club members was named
hurly Sierra Club members was named
hurly Sierra Club members was named Walter Starr and he had a son who is an
Walter Starr and he had a son who is an
Walter Starr and he had a son who is an avid climber and he liked to climb so
avid climber and he liked to climb so
avid climber and he liked to climb so low and unfortunately he fell to his
low and unfortunately he fell to his
low and unfortunately he fell to his death on this Michael minaret and so he
death on this Michael minaret and so he
death on this Michael minaret and so he asked Ansel Adams if he would put
asked Ansel Adams if he would put
asked Ansel Adams if he would put together a book of his best pictures of
together a book of his best pictures of
together a book of his best pictures of the John Muir Trail because his son his
the John Muir Trail because his son his
the John Muir Trail because his son his dream was to write a guide book of the
dream was to write a guide book of the
dream was to write a guide book of the John Muir Trail which still exists it’s
John Muir Trail which still exists it’s
John Muir Trail which still exists it’s called the Stars guide to John Muir
called the Stars guide to John Muir
called the Stars guide to John Muir Trail so that was what made this book
Trail so that was what made this book
Trail so that was what made this book happen in 1938 and it’s really the only
happen in 1938 and it’s really the only
happen in 1938 and it’s really the only book it’s totally written by Ansel Adams
book it’s totally written by Ansel Adams
book it’s totally written by Ansel Adams and has 50 of his photographs the book
and has 50 of his photographs the book
and has 50 of his photographs the book was sold for $15 at the time which is
was sold for $15 at the time which is
was sold for $15 at the time which is quite a bit and there’s only 500 copies
quite a bit and there’s only 500 copies
quite a bit and there’s only 500 copies so this whole early work was from the
so this whole early work was from the
so this whole early work was from the period of around 1920 to 1938 and then
period of around 1920 to 1938 and then
period of around 1920 to 1938 and then after that World War 2 came about and
after that World War 2 came about and
after that World War 2 came about and Ansel Adams had this idea that he would
Ansel Adams had this idea that he would
Ansel Adams had this idea that he would try and do pictures of all the beautiful
try and do pictures of all the beautiful
try and do pictures of all the beautiful places in the America to make people
places in the America to make people
places in the America to make people feel patriotic about their country so he
feel patriotic about their country so he
feel patriotic about their country so he got a commission called the mural
got a commission called the mural
got a commission called the mural project and he bought this car which he
project and he bought this car which he
project and he bought this car which he called Helios and he instead of he
called Helios and he instead of he
called Helios and he instead of he turned in the burro for the car and got
turned in the burro for the car and got
turned in the burro for the car and got the large-format eight-by-ten camera and
the large-format eight-by-ten camera and
the large-format eight-by-ten camera and did a lot of the pictures that he’s
did a lot of the pictures that he’s
did a lot of the pictures that he’s really famous for in some ways they’re a
really famous for in some ways they’re a
really famous for in some ways they’re a grander scope I think than the earlier
grander scope I think than the earlier
grander scope I think than the earlier work he also got a Guggenheim Fellowship
work he also got a Guggenheim Fellowship
work he also got a Guggenheim Fellowship to photograph the National Parks Mount
to photograph the National Parks Mount
to photograph the National Parks Mount McKinley probably one of his more famous
McKinley probably one of his more famous
McKinley probably one of his more famous clearing winter storm
clearing winter storm
clearing winter storm Yosemite so I kind of moved to the third
Yosemite so I kind of moved to the third
Yosemite so I kind of moved to the third part to show you some of my early work
part to show you some of my early work
part to show you some of my early work this was a picture that I took in 1975 I
this was a picture that I took in 1975 I
this was a picture that I took in 1975 I took a photo class when I was a senior
took a photo class when I was a senior
took a photo class when I was a senior in high school and I had a really good
in high school and I had a really good
in high school and I had a really good photography teacher and we actually went
photography teacher and we actually went
photography teacher and we actually went on a field trip up to Yosemite and this
on a field trip up to Yosemite and this
on a field trip up to Yosemite and this was really one of my first pictures I
was really one of my first pictures I
was really one of my first pictures I was taken I had bought a 4×5 camera with
was taken I had bought a 4×5 camera with
was taken I had bought a 4×5 camera with black and white and I went to Death
black and white and I went to Death
black and white and I went to Death Valley because that was another one of
Valley because that was another one of
Valley because that was another one of Ansel Adams favorite hangouts and this
Ansel Adams favorite hangouts and this
Ansel Adams favorite hangouts and this was sort of a detail that I tried and I
was sort of a detail that I tried and I
was sort of a detail that I tried and I look at these pictures they’re not
look at these pictures they’re not
look at these pictures they’re not anything that I’ve you know sold or
anything that I’ve you know sold or
anything that I’ve you know sold or think of my best work but it really
think of my best work but it really
think of my best work but it really makes me feel that this was the type of
makes me feel that this was the type of
makes me feel that this was the type of work that I was originally drawn to the
work that I was originally drawn to the
work that I was originally drawn to the landscape of the western US so what I
landscape of the western US so what I
landscape of the western US so what I did sort of naively I was just the first
did sort of naively I was just the first
did sort of naively I was just the first year in college and I only been
year in college and I only been
year in college and I only been photographing for a year or two I wrote
photographing for a year or two I wrote
photographing for a year or two I wrote to Ansel Adams and asked if I could come
to Ansel Adams and asked if I could come
to Ansel Adams and asked if I could come show him my portfolio up in Carmel and
show him my portfolio up in Carmel and
show him my portfolio up in Carmel and to my surprise he wrote a letter back
to my surprise he wrote a letter back
to my surprise he wrote a letter back which is I learned it he wrote over a
which is I learned it he wrote over a
which is I learned it he wrote over a hundred thousand letters in his life and
hundred thousand letters in his life and
hundred thousand letters in his life and he he had a philosophy he always
he he had a philosophy he always
he he had a philosophy he always answered every letter and that anybody
answered every letter and that anybody
answered every letter and that anybody that wanted to come see him could come
that wanted to come see him could come
that wanted to come see him could come at five o’clock he had a cocktail hour
at five o’clock he had a cocktail hour
at five o’clock he had a cocktail hour at that time and because as long as he
at that time and because as long as he
at that time and because as long as he had his drink and he would talk to you
had his drink and he would talk to you
had his drink and he would talk to you so I actually went there and he signs
so I actually went there and he signs
so I actually went there and he signs sign my book this was in 1977 and one
sign my book this was in 1977 and one
sign my book this was in 1977 and one thing that I remember from it succinctly
thing that I remember from it succinctly
thing that I remember from it succinctly was when he looked at this picture he
was when he looked at this picture he
was when he looked at this picture he said that he thought that I should crop
said that he thought that I should crop
said that he thought that I should crop it differently and he said that it’s
it differently and he said that it’s
it differently and he said that it’s real important along the edges to always
real important along the edges to always
real important along the edges to always have the clean edges so he said to kind
have the clean edges so he said to kind
have the clean edges so he said to kind of go like that it’s a very small
of go like that it’s a very small
of go like that it’s a very small difference but if you look it sort of
difference but if you look it sort of
difference but if you look it sort of makes a little cleaner along the edges
makes a little cleaner along the edges
makes a little cleaner along the edges so I think that’s sort of the modernism
so I think that’s sort of the modernism
so I think that’s sort of the modernism eye that he had through all his work and
eye that he had through all his work and
eye that he had through all his work and if you in a young photographer you
if you in a young photographer you
if you in a young photographer you really can’t go wrong learning that it’s
really can’t go wrong learning that it’s
really can’t go wrong learning that it’s kind of like you know learning classical
kind of like you know learning classical
kind of like you know learning classical music or something it’s timeless and his
music or something it’s timeless and his
music or something it’s timeless and his work sort of stands because he the way
work sort of stands because he the way
work sort of stands because he the way he did his compositions so what happened
he did his compositions so what happened
he did his compositions so what happened after that was I ended up I went to
after that was I ended up I went to
after that was I ended up I went to journalism school at University of
journalism school at University of
journalism school at University of Missouri and was selected as a summer
Missouri and was selected as a summer
Missouri and was selected as a summer intern and started doing some stories
intern and started doing some stories
intern and started doing some stories for the Geographic and this was one of
for the Geographic and this was one of
for the Geographic and this was one of the first ones was on the California
the first ones was on the California
the first ones was on the California desert Protection Act so I felt like
desert Protection Act so I felt like
desert Protection Act so I felt like this is back swervin old stomping
this is back swervin old stomping
this is back swervin old stomping grounds a California desert I am trained
grounds a California desert I am trained
grounds a California desert I am trained as a photojournalist but I’ve used
as a photojournalist but I’ve used
as a photojournalist but I’ve used landscape photography a lot of stories
landscape photography a lot of stories
landscape photography a lot of stories and this isn’t Grand Canyon there’s not
and this isn’t Grand Canyon there’s not
and this isn’t Grand Canyon there’s not too many journalists who’s going to have
too many journalists who’s going to have
too many journalists who’s going to have a background in landscape photographers
a background in landscape photographers
a background in landscape photographers it’s a story about Wilderness Act the
it’s a story about Wilderness Act the
it’s a story about Wilderness Act the wilderness system and this is up in
wilderness system and this is up in
wilderness system and this is up in Alaska up in the Tracy Arm wilderness
Alaska up in the Tracy Arm wilderness
Alaska up in the Tracy Arm wilderness and just way up in Devon Island some of
and just way up in Devon Island some of
and just way up in Devon Island some of these people go out there to study about
these people go out there to study about
these people go out there to study about going to Mars and a high elevation
going to Mars and a high elevation
going to Mars and a high elevation impact crater one of my favorite places
impact crater one of my favorite places
impact crater one of my favorite places down in Torres del Paine a national park
down in Torres del Paine a national park
down in Torres del Paine a national park in Patagonia way down in Tierra del
in Patagonia way down in Tierra del
in Patagonia way down in Tierra del Fuego this was a story about anniversary
Fuego this was a story about anniversary
Fuego this was a story about anniversary Darwin’s expedition on the Beagle Darwin
Darwin’s expedition on the Beagle Darwin
Darwin’s expedition on the Beagle Darwin went to this Pia Bay and we did a story
went to this Pia Bay and we did a story
went to this Pia Bay and we did a story about the 40th anniversary of the
about the 40th anniversary of the
about the 40th anniversary of the National trail system this was aa Sark
National trail system this was aa Sark
National trail system this was aa Sark Island Trail Fraser Island Australia
Island Trail Fraser Island Australia
Island Trail Fraser Island Australia Finland Lanka national park as a moon
Finland Lanka national park as a moon
Finland Lanka national park as a moon light that they call the candlelight
light that they call the candlelight
light that they call the candlelight spruce this was actually for a story on
spruce this was actually for a story on
spruce this was actually for a story on the carbon cycle now the carbon in the
the carbon cycle now the carbon in the
the carbon cycle now the carbon in the calcium carbonate in the shales
calcium carbonate in the shales
calcium carbonate in the shales so these pictures sort of all had a
so these pictures sort of all had a
so these pictures sort of all had a journalistic side to them this was a
journalistic side to them this was a
journalistic side to them this was a story by the climate change is in
story by the climate change is in
story by the climate change is in Switzerland sort of the melting glacier
Switzerland sort of the melting glacier
Switzerland sort of the melting glacier the bathtub ring
the bathtub ring
the bathtub ring the drying lakepowell can you see the
the drying lakepowell can you see the
the drying lakepowell can you see the bathtub ring desert called this Viking
bathtub ring desert called this Viking
bathtub ring desert called this Viking weather because this was Greenland was
weather because this was Greenland was
weather because this was Greenland was getting warmer and it was why the the
getting warmer and it was why the the
getting warmer and it was why the the Vikings had to leave and it got colder
Vikings had to leave and it got colder
Vikings had to leave and it got colder and I’ve also used it on some
and I’ve also used it on some
and I’ve also used it on some environmental stories story about
environmental stories story about
environmental stories story about hardrock mining this was a Superfund
hardrock mining this was a Superfund
hardrock mining this was a Superfund site water pollution in China even in a
site water pollution in China even in a
site water pollution in China even in a Home Depot parking lot in Baltimore this
Home Depot parking lot in Baltimore this
Home Depot parking lot in Baltimore this is that we’re talking about the non
is that we’re talking about the non
is that we’re talking about the non point source water pollution that runs
point source water pollution that runs
point source water pollution that runs off the parking lot into the Chesapeake
off the parking lot into the Chesapeake
off the parking lot into the Chesapeake Bay and these are depleted uranium
Bay and these are depleted uranium
Bay and these are depleted uranium canisters the nuclear waste from Paducah
canisters the nuclear waste from Paducah
canisters the nuclear waste from Paducah the oil sands all the scraping of the
the oil sands all the scraping of the
the oil sands all the scraping of the boreal forests for the oil and this is
boreal forests for the oil and this is
boreal forests for the oil and this is for the drought sort of a landscape of a
for the drought sort of a landscape of a
for the drought sort of a landscape of a marina where there’s no boats or no
marina where there’s no boats or no
marina where there’s no boats or no water and the Yoho National Park just
water and the Yoho National Park just
water and the Yoho National Park just the other side of the Rockies from Banff
the other side of the Rockies from Banff
the other side of the Rockies from Banff and Lake Louise so really a great park
and Lake Louise so really a great park
and Lake Louise so really a great park in the Canadian Rockies okay so now I
in the Canadian Rockies okay so now I
in the Canadian Rockies okay so now I get sort of to the last part just try to
get sort of to the last part just try to
get sort of to the last part just try to explain a little bit of some of the
explain a little bit of some of the
explain a little bit of some of the creative process about this story that I
creative process about this story that I
creative process about this story that I went through this was the lead picture
went through this was the lead picture
went through this was the lead picture that was in the Geographic article and I
that was in the Geographic article and I
that was in the Geographic article and I went through kind of a lot of thought
went through kind of a lot of thought
went through kind of a lot of thought about how to do this how to sort of do a
about how to do this how to sort of do a
about how to do this how to sort of do a tribute and sort of show that I had
tribute and sort of show that I had
tribute and sort of show that I had really been inspired by Ansel Adams but
really been inspired by Ansel Adams but
really been inspired by Ansel Adams but not sort of copy it or not do what
not sort of copy it or not do what
not sort of copy it or not do what sometimes it’s called stand in the same
sometimes it’s called stand in the same
sometimes it’s called stand in the same tripod holes as Ansel and stuff like
tripod holes as Ansel and stuff like
tripod holes as Ansel and stuff like that so the first thing I had to decide
that so the first thing I had to decide
that so the first thing I had to decide was where to do it in black-and-white or
was where to do it in black-and-white or
was where to do it in black-and-white or color and he shooting digital you have a
color and he shooting digital you have a
color and he shooting digital you have a raw file and you can make it color or
raw file and you can make it color or
raw file and you can make it color or black and white I really liked the way
black and white I really liked the way
black and white I really liked the way the black and white that granite just
the black and white that granite just
the black and white that granite just seemed to really come out much more
seemed to really come out much more
seemed to really come out much more forceful and the sculptural qualities to
forceful and the sculptural qualities to
forceful and the sculptural qualities to me really was the right way to do it but
me really was the right way to do it but
me really was the right way to do it but then I still had the
then I still had the
then I still had the figure out I didn’t want to do it
figure out I didn’t want to do it
figure out I didn’t want to do it exactly like Ansel Adams had shot you
exactly like Ansel Adams had shot you
exactly like Ansel Adams had shot you know 75 years ago so I just kind of came
know 75 years ago so I just kind of came
know 75 years ago so I just kind of came up with this idea of sort of referencing
up with this idea of sort of referencing
up with this idea of sort of referencing some of his pictures for people who are
some of his pictures for people who are
some of his pictures for people who are real fans of his work they could look at
real fans of his work they could look at
real fans of his work they could look at it and sort of see that there was a
it and sort of see that there was a
it and sort of see that there was a connection but also see that it was a
connection but also see that it was a
connection but also see that it was a little bit more up to date version of it
little bit more up to date version of it
little bit more up to date version of it the other thing I did was a lot of
the other thing I did was a lot of
the other thing I did was a lot of nature books are divided by the seasons
nature books are divided by the seasons
nature books are divided by the seasons and we decided to just do it by the type
and we decided to just do it by the type
and we decided to just do it by the type of scenery that you would see if you
of scenery that you would see if you
of scenery that you would see if you went there just so you’d sort of focus
went there just so you’d sort of focus
went there just so you’d sort of focus on instead of just you know the
on instead of just you know the
on instead of just you know the summertime or a vacation it would be
summertime or a vacation it would be
summertime or a vacation it would be like you’re looking at certain peaks or
like you’re looking at certain peaks or
like you’re looking at certain peaks or Lakes something these are kind of the
Lakes something these are kind of the
Lakes something these are kind of the peaks baek’s this again that’s the black
peaks baek’s this again that’s the black
peaks baek’s this again that’s the black and white Ansel Adams council Adams
and white Ansel Adams council Adams
and white Ansel Adams council Adams what’s called Cabin Lake this was
what’s called Cabin Lake this was
what’s called Cabin Lake this was another one of those that we looked at
another one of those that we looked at
another one of those that we looked at in color it was actually taken before
in color it was actually taken before
in color it was actually taken before sunrise it was actually sort of flat but
sunrise it was actually sort of flat but
sunrise it was actually sort of flat but when they’re all the same tone in black
when they’re all the same tone in black
when they’re all the same tone in black and white it brings out the granite
and white it brings out the granite
and white it brings out the granite surprised instance to actually see
surprised instance to actually see
surprised instance to actually see little white caps this is up about
little white caps this is up about
little white caps this is up about 10,000 feet maybe about a 30 mile an
10,000 feet maybe about a 30 mile an
10,000 feet maybe about a 30 mile an hour wind there’s also what’s called the
hour wind there’s also what’s called the
hour wind there’s also what’s called the Sierra high trail it sort of follows the
Sierra high trail it sort of follows the
Sierra high trail it sort of follows the John Muir Trail which is this 211 mile
John Muir Trail which is this 211 mile
John Muir Trail which is this 211 mile trail through the Sierras and someone
trail through the Sierras and someone
trail through the Sierras and someone came up with an idea to sort of go that
came up with an idea to sort of go that
came up with an idea to sort of go that same route but not have any trail and so
same route but not have any trail and so
same route but not have any trail and so this is the part out it’s called Nancy
this is the part out it’s called Nancy
this is the part out it’s called Nancy paths and you actually with your pack
paths and you actually with your pack
paths and you actually with your pack and everything it’s sort of a scramble
and everything it’s sort of a scramble
and everything it’s sort of a scramble to get up there but it had a nice nice
to get up there but it had a nice nice
to get up there but it had a nice nice view of the minarets
view of the minarets
view of the minarets another thing that Ansel Adams had this
another thing that Ansel Adams had this
another thing that Ansel Adams had this philosophy that climbing to the top of
philosophy that climbing to the top of
philosophy that climbing to the top of the mountain you don’t get the best view
the mountain you don’t get the best view
the mountain you don’t get the best view and the very bottom of the mountain you
and the very bottom of the mountain you
and the very bottom of the mountain you don’t get the best view but you sort of
don’t get the best view but you sort of
don’t get the best view but you sort of get the best view part way up and so
get the best view part way up and so
get the best view part way up and so that’s what this was sort of about a
that’s what this was sort of about a
that’s what this was sort of about a third way is one of the meadows these
third way is one of the meadows these
third way is one of the meadows these are trees that have been pushed over by
are trees that have been pushed over by
are trees that have been pushed over by the heavy snow and a lot of avalanches
the heavy snow and a lot of avalanches
the heavy snow and a lot of avalanches that could take place
that could take place
that could take place this is sort of idea I had of
this is sort of idea I had of
this is sort of idea I had of referencing back to some of Adams work
referencing back to some of Adams work
referencing back to some of Adams work he took pictures of similar subject
he took pictures of similar subject
he took pictures of similar subject matters this is in the water
matters this is in the water
matters this is in the water wilderness area is very important for
wilderness area is very important for
wilderness area is very important for the state of California because it the
the state of California because it the
the state of California because it the watershed one side comes all the way
watershed one side comes all the way
watershed one side comes all the way down and ends up being the drinking
down and ends up being the drinking
down and ends up being the drinking water for Los Angeles and the other side
water for Los Angeles and the other side
water for Los Angeles and the other side the SAP this is the San Joaquin River
the SAP this is the San Joaquin River
the SAP this is the San Joaquin River this flows down into the Central Valley
this flows down into the Central Valley
this flows down into the Central Valley and this is the wire that’s used for the
and this is the wire that’s used for the
and this is the wire that’s used for the irrigation this water ends up the 60% of
irrigation this water ends up the 60% of
irrigation this water ends up the 60% of it ends up watering lawns in Los Angeles
it ends up watering lawns in Los Angeles
it ends up watering lawns in Los Angeles there’s one area on the east side and
there’s one area on the east side and
there’s one area on the east side and actually starts snowing I went there for
actually starts snowing I went there for
actually starts snowing I went there for the fall colors and the fall colors
the fall colors and the fall colors
the fall colors and the fall colors weren’t even out yet so I ended up
weren’t even out yet so I ended up
weren’t even out yet so I ended up coming back a little bit later this is
coming back a little bit later this is
coming back a little bit later this is the Sierra juniper and the largest trees
the Sierra juniper and the largest trees
the Sierra juniper and the largest trees in the wilderness this was shot by
in the wilderness this was shot by
in the wilderness this was shot by moonlight it’s a kind of picture that
moonlight it’s a kind of picture that
moonlight it’s a kind of picture that was really only possible with a digital
was really only possible with a digital
was really only possible with a digital sensor that’s why I really thought that
sensor that’s why I really thought that
sensor that’s why I really thought that digital was the best way to do a story
digital was the best way to do a story
digital was the best way to do a story like this because I think if Ansel Adams
like this because I think if Ansel Adams
like this because I think if Ansel Adams would alive now he would be using the
would alive now he would be using the
would alive now he would be using the latest technology I actually always
latest technology I actually always
latest technology I actually always thought of fall colors as color
thought of fall colors as color
thought of fall colors as color photographs but I really more and more
photographs but I really more and more
photographs but I really more and more like the way they photograph in black
like the way they photograph in black
like the way they photograph in black and white on the right side is sort of
and white on the right side is sort of
and white on the right side is sort of between the orange and the yellow you
between the orange and the yellow you
between the orange and the yellow you get just a slight delineation and the
get just a slight delineation and the
get just a slight delineation and the print since the creek that comes out of
print since the creek that comes out of
print since the creek that comes out of Parker Lake and I did go there in the
Parker Lake and I did go there in the
Parker Lake and I did go there in the winter this was actually when I went on
winter this was actually when I went on
winter this was actually when I went on the fall trip started sledding on those
the fall trip started sledding on those
the fall trip started sledding on those same aspen trees I think we were the
same aspen trees I think we were the
same aspen trees I think we were the probably the only people in the
probably the only people in the
probably the only people in the wilderness and this time in February and
wilderness and this time in February and
wilderness and this time in February and we had to do what’s called this
we had to do what’s called this
we had to do what’s called this all-terrain skiing which is sort of a
all-terrain skiing which is sort of a
all-terrain skiing which is sort of a hybrid of cross-country and downhill
hybrid of cross-country and downhill
hybrid of cross-country and downhill skiing and I timed it to go in during a
skiing and I timed it to go in during a
skiing and I timed it to go in during a storm which turned out to be good for
storm which turned out to be good for
storm which turned out to be good for photographs but sort of difficult to
photographs but sort of difficult to
photographs but sort of difficult to move around
so we saw this this is what they call a
so we saw this this is what they call a Sierra wave cloud and this kind of means
Sierra wave cloud and this kind of means
Sierra wave cloud and this kind of means oh you know when you see it’s about a 50
oh you know when you see it’s about a 50
oh you know when you see it’s about a 50 mile an hour wind up on this mount Lyell
mile an hour wind up on this mount Lyell
mile an hour wind up on this mount Lyell there and I could just barely stand up
there and I could just barely stand up
there and I could just barely stand up taking this picture holding the tripod
taking this picture holding the tripod
taking this picture holding the tripod down and then it got even worse and then
down and then it got even worse and then
down and then it got even worse and then it got even worse that and this was
it got even worse that and this was
it got even worse that and this was about 70 mile an hour winds and we ended
about 70 mile an hour winds and we ended
about 70 mile an hour winds and we ended up having to dig a snow cave just
up having to dig a snow cave just
up having to dig a snow cave just something I had never done and I was
something I had never done and I was
something I had never done and I was glad I had the people with me too knew
glad I had the people with me too knew
glad I had the people with me too knew how to do that so we stayed in there for
how to do that so we stayed in there for
how to do that so we stayed in there for two nights and I actually just climbed
two nights and I actually just climbed
two nights and I actually just climbed out long enough to take this pictures
out long enough to take this pictures
out long enough to take this pictures about 50 feet away from the opening of
about 50 feet away from the opening of
about 50 feet away from the opening of the snow cave that’s about all we could
the snow cave that’s about all we could
the snow cave that’s about all we could go is really like a whiteout conditions
go is really like a whiteout conditions
go is really like a whiteout conditions I wanted to see what it looked like
I wanted to see what it looked like
I wanted to see what it looked like afterwards so when we got back out I
afterwards so when we got back out I
afterwards so when we got back out I hired a plane and took some pictures
hired a plane and took some pictures
hired a plane and took some pictures from the air so I wrote it afterward so
from the air so I wrote it afterward so
from the air so I wrote it afterward so I just wanted to read a little bit about
I just wanted to read a little bit about
I just wanted to read a little bit about that so the times we live in today are
that so the times we live in today are
that so the times we live in today are radically different from those of the
radically different from those of the
radically different from those of the young Ansel Adams who photographed the
young Ansel Adams who photographed the
young Ansel Adams who photographed the Sierra wilderness times were hard in the
Sierra wilderness times were hard in the
Sierra wilderness times were hard in the 1920s and 1930s but Americans believed
1920s and 1930s but Americans believed
1920s and 1930s but Americans believed that things would get better and
that things would get better and
that things would get better and progress would come technology was seen
progress would come technology was seen
progress would come technology was seen as a way to make life more comfortable
as a way to make life more comfortable
as a way to make life more comfortable and exciting artists devoted to
and exciting artists devoted to
and exciting artists devoted to modernism focused on form is the
modernism focused on form is the
modernism focused on form is the ultimate expression Alfred Stieglitz
ultimate expression Alfred Stieglitz
ultimate expression Alfred Stieglitz summed it up by saying that art should
summed it up by saying that art should
summed it up by saying that art should be the affirmation of life Adams agreed
be the affirmation of life Adams agreed
be the affirmation of life Adams agreed and he also believed that man could live
and he also believed that man could live
and he also believed that man could live in harmony with nature so what are we to
in harmony with nature so what are we to
in harmony with nature so what are we to make of Ansel Adams in our era of
make of Ansel Adams in our era of
make of Ansel Adams in our era of cynicism does it still hold true that
cynicism does it still hold true that
cynicism does it still hold true that art in nature can be inspirational I
art in nature can be inspirational I
art in nature can be inspirational I believe there will always be the human
believe there will always be the human
believe there will always be the human need for affirmation and inspiration of
need for affirmation and inspiration of
need for affirmation and inspiration of the kind immortalized by Adams in his
the kind immortalized by Adams in his
the kind immortalized by Adams in his Sierra photographs our spirits our own
Sierra photographs our spirits our own
Sierra photographs our spirits our own inner beauty spring from the same source
inner beauty spring from the same source
inner beauty spring from the same source as these rocks trees and reflecting
as these rocks trees and reflecting
as these rocks trees and reflecting waters
waters
waters it has not even been a century since
it has not even been a century since
it has not even been a century since Ansel Adams carried his camera on a
Ansel Adams carried his camera on a
Ansel Adams carried his camera on a burro along the trails of the Sierra
burro along the trails of the Sierra
burro along the trails of the Sierra high country in the world of nature that
high country in the world of nature that
high country in the world of nature that was only yesterday thang
”
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