Hope you guys enjoyed this new video & concept. Don't forget to leave a like to let me know you enjoyed and your thoughts below. What ideas do you have for future episodes? Things you would like me to imagine and explore! Also keep an eye out for Miss Anne's story at 08:46 ahah
A modern version, in my opinion, exists. David Brookover, based in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is a wonderful landscape photographer, but isn't limited to the genre. His still-life work is outstanding and unique. Using both film and digital, he uses the medium necessary to deliver his vision. His prints, mostly completed by Hidden Light in Flagstaff, Arizona, are completed in both silver gelatin and platinum/palladium. A similar process as Adams goes into in his books "The Darkroom" and "The Print", happens through a blend of digital and darkroom techniques during the printing process. The craftsmanship, vision, and dedication to detail from both are on a level not easily compared. I am not connected to either party, but respect and aspire to the quality of art created by these people. Sorry to fanboy about them, but the work they create is truly inspiring.
The future is Hybrid. Darkroom is great (my passion) but its potential is limited. Shoot film, convert to digital, and archive the negatives *forever!*
Hello, Tatiana. I get jealous when I see you standing with that beautiful Hasselblad in your hands. But positively jealous without envy. What I think is that Ansel Adams did not photograph with his eyes but with his heart and soul. When he saw a composition he already knew what it would look like on paper. Every photo of Ansel Adams has a soul. Technically, I think he would have enjoyed Photoshop and Lightroom. And he had this completely under control, down to the smallest detail. He would do it no differently than in the wet room, but with the technology that was available. I completely agree with you about the tools. A digital Hasselblad and an analog Hasselblad for when he got a nostalgic feeling and wanted to work with film again. But what remains and is the strength of his work is ensuring that the result has a soul. He would be very happy that he didn't need a big truck to do his work. He could grab his camera bag and drive to the destination. Instead of spending an hour loading all his tools into that big car. The greatest thing I learned from him is that a photo is not just a picture of something beautiful, but that it is a creation that you envisioned from your heart. So that the result had its own soul. I also know that he worked in color, but also that he preferred black and white. Actually, it was because of this gentleman that I got stuck in black and white. Even when I had a dark room it was black and white because I couldn't afford color with a woman and two little boys. When digital came along I already had trouble with color. It was confusing for me. So now, at 63 years old, I just keep it black and white. I also believe what you say about Ansel Adams making color. But as a "by-product" the main course would still remain black and white, I think. I think he would take a color camera and not a Leica black and white. I say this because he would then use the colors in his conversion to black and white. I think this mainly because he was also a technical photographer. Before he released the shutter, he already knew 90% of what the result would be. And I don't think we should say black and white or color, but black and white with the use of color, at least in this day and age. It was a pleasure to watch your video again and for me, it leaves me wanting more, dear Tatiana. Sincere warm greetings from the Netherlands, Antoine.
Hello Antonine! What a lovely comment I could feel your appreciation and connection to Ansel Adams’ work! Amazing to read it and I agree with all your insights too! I really appreciatev your kind words and for taking your time to watch this video! Much love back to you ✨
Salgado demonstrated you don't need an 8x10 view camera to create stunning images. Ansel wanted exhibition prints going to 40x50 inches. Salgado necer printed over 11x14 and then he didn't (always had a darkroomer). In later years he shot digital and took advantage of full frame sensors of over 18Mpx.
I love that you put this together. Not only does this make me want to think of photography as more then just a photo, but it makes me want to really believe that i am one.
Sorry this is a bit of an essay. I've just finished reading Ansel Adams' autobiography for the second time. I first read it about 20 years ago. Adams the old man would have loved the digital age - hence his comment at the end of the second edition of The Negative. If Adams was a young man today I don't know if he'd have even been a photographer. He had a turning point in his life where he decided not to be a concert pianist but to concentrate on photography. Today maybe he would have gone the way of the musician or an environmental scientist. What he relished in the early part of the 20th century was craft. He was in a world where art photographs were rare. In the 1920's he was attracted to a cutting edge, new medium and a new approach in the form of Straight Photography as opposed to the pictorialists of the time. He referred to his approach in the f/64 group as "Calvinist". He rode the wave of modernism. What is new now? Where is the equivalent of the modernist movement in the 21st century? Postmodernism has largely smashed up any notion of the sincerity of Adams' approach to the form of things. It is all seen as nostalgic. The whole of Adams' photographic approach was learning to visualised exposure zones in a scene as values of gray on a finished print and having a high enough level of craft to implement ones creative vision through the whole negative positive process. When you have a digital camera which has 10 stops of dynamic range none of the craft is necessary. What tones will the final image have? Well that will depend on the colour gamut of the device the person is viewing it on! The artist doesn't even control the size. There is no liberation through limitation because there is no limitation. If prints are made then the process is closer to what was called prepress than photography. What if all the craft was removed from playing the piano and it no longer took years of practice to be able to play the right notes at the right time. The filter would have been removed so that anyone could be a classical concert pianist with a few evenings dabling! Would we all be great artists or would there just be a lot of mediocre concert recitals that drowned out the greats? Indeed would there be any greats if having something to say was a product of developing the craft to say it? That is the difference between Adams' time and ours. My favourite quote from his autobiography is in a note he wrote to Beaumont and Nancy Newhall in 1946 on the appointment of Edward Steichen (their nemesis) as the head of photography at MOMA: "In short, everything that we feared, the complete engulfing of photography as you and I see it and feel it into a vast picture archive of subjects".
What a great comment Roger, I really appreciate the insight you shared and all those details on Adams’ life. Is the book you mentioned also written or with the participation of Mary Street Alinder? I was recommend a book by her on Ansel Adams in the members community and I’m after it. But if it’s a different book I would love to compare them so I can then buy one of them :) Thanks so much for watching!
@@TatianaHopper Yes it is "with Mary Street Alinder". I guess she was the one of the pair who could write! He was getting on when they produced the book and so she probably did a lot of the work and he did a lot of reminiscing. It certainly reads like an older man's reflections in the pub. A good read though as he overlapped with so many other photographers. I listened to the audio book of Dorothea Lange by Linda Gordon and Adams was mentioned but in Adams autobiography he says they worked on a number of projects. Then the friendships with Edwin Land and Edward Weston and overlapping with Paul Strand and Minor White. O.K. maybe he just spends the whole book name dropping!
Replying to my own comment! Here is Adam Savage making a similar point about the danger or the "easily come by". ua-cam.com/video/ESSHjm0xbig/v-deo.htmlsi=Duajc1zi2AT3nx4H
Thanks for posting this! As a "disciple" of Ansel, I've often wondered about how he'd approach photography if he were still around. I'm certain he'd be aghast at how "watered down" things have become with the ubiquity of camera phones and social media and the resultant sea of mediocre images. He might just go back to the piano! If he did pick up a camera, it would be one he could in fact pick up--not a huge view camara--much more likely an MFT like a Lumix G9 (with its great DoF and huge variety of compatible lenses) and other cameras to suit certain situations. As you show, he wrote of the prospect of digital and embraced the concept, and although he certainly wouldn't require the "auto-previsualization" that mirrorless provides, he wasn't the type to deliberately "do it the hard way"--he simply wanted to produce the best possible prints by whatever means. Despite his extensive knowledge of chemistry-driven film development and printing, I think he would've loved digital post-processing and reveled in the powerful and flexible (and clean/green) editing it enables, plus the ability to easily make predictable changes to prints to get what he wanted. I think he'd use more sophisticated tools than LR/PS (like DxO/Nik) as they can do more and "feel" more like film processing (specially Silver Efex Pro, which supports the Zone System and affords much more precise control over filters than could be achieved with glass filters). I also doubt he'd do a lot of posting online as the only "real" photograph will always be the print. Your comment on his philosophy is spot-on, and one of best uses of photography is to try to open people's eyes to the beauty of nature and man's relentless assault on it. I'm sure Ansel would be in Greta Thunberg's circle! As he was also a great teacher, I'm sure he'd indeed conduct master classes online to share his knowledge (likely on YT). One other thing--I see what looks like a print of Nighthawks in the background--are you related to Edward or just an admirer? It would've been interesting had he been a photographer--there's a "what if he were a photographer" for you to explore (Cezanne would be another interesting choice).
Thanks so much for your comment! Loved reading all the insights you shared and it made a lot of sense to me, also what a great idea the one of having Edward Hopper as a photographer that for sure would be a great episode. Hope you keep well and thanks again for watching and commenting! Ps - not related to Hopper :)
Great idea Tatiana! From learning about AA, he would have embraced the current technology and would have a bigger body of work. I would love to see this video on Gordon Parks, Robert Frank and William Eggleston. Thanks for sharing!
I think A. Adams might be overwhelmed a bit by what is happening to the American West he loved so much. The development to make Arizona and Utah (not to mention California) into places conducive to urban life. I don't think he would appreciate not being able to take his equipment into certain places because of regulations. Waiting in lines to see that beautiful scenery would not appeal to him. I agree that he would embrace digital technology. I see his best talent as being able to imagine the photograph he wanted without looking at it first after exposing it. Great topic. It makes us think outside of the box!
It's a really thought-provoking idea, and I enjoyed your analysis, and the question posed. I imagine him using some state of the art camera mounted to a big drone - but only to capture something he has 'seen' but not been able to convey from the ground (rather than for IG, etc). Secondly, I imagine him writing the essay we all want and need to read about the convergence of photography and AI, drawing on all his experience in harnessing technology to continuously improve the photographic image. Where is a line crossed? He would define that question and offer an answer for debate. In spite of this, what is interesting is that although the technologies available to photographers today well surpass what was available to Adams, his images have not really been surpassed in their impact. They still resonate - but you capture the 'why' for that so well in your outline of his upbringing and worldview. Thanks again Tatiana for a great documentary.
Great angle. When I left traditional academic art training, I remarked that had the Renaissance and Baroque painters access to cameras, they would have embraced it. Years later, as a magazine art director, I was an early evangelist for digital photography, much to the chagrin of my colleagues who refused to let go of the inane complexity, inefficiency and costly process of film. Every month, thousands of dollars were unnecessarily squandered on film and processing, and making work prints Fedexed back and forth from the West and East coasts. Until the Great Recession of 2008 opened everyone's eyes. Furthermore, digital lowered the barrier to entry for photography, unleashing astonishing creative potential worldwide. You are absolutely right that Adams was not a Luddite and, like artists throughout history, would have embraced progress.
Very enjoyable video! I love that he wrote about and mentioned electronic images in his book. As it makes a video like this so relevant and necessary. As your presentation states, I believe he would have embraced the digital medium without abandoning film. I enjoyed too the references to his love of nature and conservation as well as his hard work to preserve our national treasures and parks. Thank you for an outstanding work!
Thank you so much for watching my friend! I'm so glad you liked it, a bit of a different concept, it definitely takes more time to put these together but I think it worked well, it especially touched me his preoccupation with nature and definitely had an impact on me reading about his life, his efforts and his words!
I graduated from Art Center College of Design. It was at Art Center that Ansel Adams and Fred Archer codified the general rules known to most photographers at the time into the Zone System. Because of the need back when I was studying photography, where black and white was still in extensive use for commercial work, we did extensive work with the Zone System to the point that we mixed up special use developers from the chemicals used to create black and white developing chemicals. I have a number of his books and has been a fan of his work since I was in high school. Adams started out as an amateur photographer who loved nature and was frustrated by the fact his photographs didn't convey the emotion he felt when viewing the scene. This led him to immerse himself to an OCD level into the technical side of image capture. He didn't pursue color because of the serious limitations of capturing the full dynamic range of a scene. Color film, then as now, has a more limited dynamic range and no way to successfully manipulate it. Digital photography provides us with the same tools to manipulate the capture of dynamic range that we can with monochrome images. He may very well use Hasselblad cameras in modern times, but I think he'd explore Fuji GFX-100s, especially the newest version. The 100 megapixel sensor and it's ability to pixel shift for even larger image capture would probably be appealing to him. Combine that with the newest tilt/shift lenses offered by Fuji and he would have many of the adjustments available with view cameras. I know if I was heavily into landscape and commercial photography, that's the kit I'd own.
What a great idea Tatiana! This is an interesting and thought-provoking way of looking at the history of photography and a really well made video. I would love to see more. Maybe you could make a video about how Jeff Wall made 'staged' street photos rather like the original street photographers, who used large format cameras?
I think this series can have great potential! I will be thinking of ideas to share but it’s cool to reimagine things and colliding worlds as you said maybe famous filmmakers as photographers or something, love Ansel and I think you did him justice :)
I can imagine him doing that or also being a bit more conservative in his ways but extremely creative. Kind of like Sebastião Salgado if you have a look at his Instagram he is constantly sharing images of his work and talking about those people, the issues, environmental impact etc etc
@@TatianaHopper People have a pretty simplistic view of what environmentalists are actually like. Teddy Roosevelt who created the national park system was both a avid hunter and conversationalist.
I recently finished Mary Alinder's exquisite biography of Adams. You are certainly correct about his embracing technology. He was a close personal friend of Edwin Land and loved Polaroid cameras, particularly the SX70. He shot a lot of Polaroids, which, I suspect, rarely get seen. He also evaluated Hasselblad cameras for the company from their very first prototypes (apparently, if you turned it upside down, the mirror would fall out-Adams viewed that as a flaw). He created most of his masterpieces on view cameras (of which he had several different sizes), initially on glass plate negatives and later on film stock. However, the majority of his iconic images were taken before 1949. After that, his output declined, partly because he could no longer carry the heavy view cameras into the terrain where he liked to shoot. At that point, he switched to medium format (Hasselblad largely), and most of his notable later images were shot on that system (the famous Moon and Half Dome is a great example). I think you are correct; Adams would have embraced digital technology.
Well I’m happy and I feel that my opinions are validated a bit because I also am looking forward to read that book in fact when you first mentioned it on the members post I looked around for it but because I had to post this video much earlier I didn’t have enough time to read the whole book and have that extra insight. I just thought given his connection to Hasselblad that he would probably continue the tie with them into this new digital age where there’s a lot of abundance of cameras ou there but only a few (I suspect) he would truly appreciate. Would love to see his Polaroids! Although I do have to say I got my hands recently on a book of his colour work and I’m excited for it to arrive! :)
I read the Alinder biography many years ago. An excellent and comprehensive book. She even had a gallery in Gualala, California, where several of the Adams prints were for sale.
@@jeff8289 It is a great book. I have to admit I gained a whole other level of appreciation for Adams than I had previously. Alinder also wrote a history of the f64 group, which was really informative.
Thank you Hopper! Ansel Adams spent so much time and effort in the darkroom, no doubt to me he would have gone digital. But he would always have a hand in advanced analog processes. We don't have enough innovation in sensors, and I'm sure he would have pushed that too.
In the section where you discuss his color photography, I think you summed up Ansel Adams's guiding force: "He wanted to learn." That is what I admire about him.
Same here! I think generally speaking there is this idea that Ansel Adams was very much closed off to progress due to some of his popular quotes about colour and black & white which I think were taken a bit out of context because one thing I learn with making this video was for sure that he loved learning and supported progress! Thanks for watching Fernando ✨
Thank you so much! I really appreciate your words I definitely want to make the content more diverse still within photography of course but just bring different ideas or approaches :)
The reality of working digitally is that it is a sit on your buttocks activity. The photographer sits and stares at a monitor while manipulating little buttons and sliders with a mouse. The complexity of this mind numbing process takes over and the art becomes secondary. Adams liked to move around physically. Film and wet darkroom image creation is a physical process akin to painting, drawing and sculpture. Painters, artists who draw, and sculptors are involved in a physical act when creating art. Adams was physically involved in his image making ( just watch a film of him working in his darkroom). Digital image making is a lesser art form and will become even more diminished with advances in machine assisted learning and artificial intelligence. The old ways are often the best ways.
Very good idea and exploration. Ansel seemed open to experimentation. In the mid 1960s he was hired by the University of California to photograph their campuses and interiors in what turned out to be his 2nd largest project after the Yosemite work. His architectural and interiors of the schools are very interesting and impressive. His developing techniques (zone?) are stark and the Moon over Hernandez New Mexico print is much different and more dramatic than Hernandez actually looks. He was a courageous guy and as a musician there is a rhythm to his work. Take a look at his University of California pictures.
Thanks for your reply and interest. Here's a link to a slide show with commentary on the Ansel project called Fiat Lux starting at about the 22:20 mark and going to about the 40 minute mark. ua-cam.com/video/oPzbsifjH8o/v-deo.htmlsi=MZU87xrThmwMnOaj&t=1341 If the link doesn't work a search for "Fiat Lux UA-cam 2012 UC Event" should find the 89 minute video. There is also a video of Ansel farm pictures of various University of California agricultural projects in the 1960s narrated by the famous American food writer Michael Pollan. There is a lot more to Ansel than just the Yosemite photos. I saw an exhibit of the Fiat Lux photos on the UC Berkeley campus a few years ago.
This was a great video, Tatiana! Greatly enjoyed it and hearing your musing on "What if Ansel Adams could fly." Also enjoyed the shots of WIcklow. I go to Dublin fairly regularly to visit family, but I have not spent much time up there. Clearly that is something that should change.
Another excellent video … ta very much! The MPB bit was brilliant too … can’t wait to see the next MPB short … worth the price of admission! Is Anne related to Anja Wülfing? 📷🙂
Ahaha maybe she is (I had no idea about Anja’s work) I just wanted an excuse to feature Clark on the channel. Thanks so much for watching and for your kind comment 🙏🏻
Excellent and well done. No one can truly know what someone would do in another time but your assessment makes a lot of sense. You have gotten to know him. Thx!
Hello Tatiana, I loved this video!!! Hopefully it becomes a new series. It is very interesting to see and learn about photographers even deeper than just their photographs. As always, thank you so much for the vid
*Did you know AA missed his sheet film because he couldnt fully use his zone system?* Roll film can get you huge enlargements but you're stuck with what you chose as exposure bias and developement. Digital frees you from that, but then, *will it keep?* I'd like to see (but won't) how many digital memories remain twenty years from now. I shoot film, convert to digital. Try to print what I consider worthy. Shoot tons of digital too, of course but if I don't cull no one will go through them ever. Not 20 years from now.
I had wanted to go to film school when I was younger, but did not have the courage to do so, and instead became a lawyer. I always regretted that choice and wondered what it might have been like had I chosen film school. Thank you for helping me to have a little glimpse into what that world would have been like for me. What a lovely place to explore and learn and imagine and create! Thank you thank you.
Thank you so much for watching Jack and look it’s never too late, you can always be creative and you can always pick up a camera and nowadays it’s easier to access equipment and do things even if they’re for yourself, have fun, life is short as we all know so enjoy it! Thanks for watching and for commenting :)
You got it all right, Tatiana. Ansel embraced technology and would work digital to its limits. Thanks for all your hard work. Defiantly a work of love. ❤
Thank you! It definitely took me a while to put this video together (a couple of months in fact of research, filming etc) but I really loved the result in the end and I’m glad that now reading the comments people find it interesting and resonates with them :) thanks so much for watching & commenting!
One of the problems with comparing an early 20th century photographer to a 21st century one, photography and motion pictures was a new medium for the time. Even into the 1950's, using 35mm, medium format and view cameras to capture the world or document something no one ever has seen before was a new event. Today with people using cell phones to photograph their lunch or dinner, photography has become common place, pedestrian. #AI imagery is the 'new thing' and no matter how experience the photographer is with film, Polaroid and digital. The magic of photography is gone and never coming back. Down with #AI imagery.
I know I have thought of that too, imagine playing mumble rap to Mozart 😂 but seriously I think it would be interesting to hear what they would produce today perhaps they would adopt a more feeling / just listening type of posture like Rick Rubin!
Lovely video. I had a chance to talk with Ansel Adams in the mid-seventies for about three hours. Such an inspiration. Some other photographers that might be of interest are Eugene Atget, Man Ray, Stieglitz (who knows what he would be up to). Let's not forget Paul Strand or Walker Evans. On a landscaping note, what about the Hudson School of painters in the early nineteenth century?
Very interesting ideas I love that the Hudson River school in fact I keep some pictures of their paintings on my Mac and I look at them from time to time for inspiration! Thanks so much for watching!
Excellent video! You covered it well. For sure Ansel Adams would have embraced the digital darkroom and the incredible dynamic range capabilities of modern cameras (virtually extending the range of his original Zone System). Great idea for a series. One can only imagine the images of a modern day W. Eugene Smith, Robert Frank or Dorothea Lange shooting the homeless crisis in America.✌
Oh that’s an excellent point Joeseph one can only imagine I think Eugene Smith would’ve made an incredible essay on the opioid crisis in the US (and homeless as well) I just think given his previous essays on doctors / health practitioners. I’m you enjoyed the video and think Adams would have embraced digital tools like our “modern darkroom”, thanks so much for watching! 🙏🏻
Digital is fragile. It won't be tomorrow unless it's on film (ethernal) or printed (200 years?). Watch: Subtitles in many languages available through the (*) icon.
Excellent video and I fully agree. I think Adams was more driven by vision and used the most advanced technology he had access to. That would stay the same.
AA would just be another landscape photographer lost within a sea of landscape photographers today. He was only significant because he was one of the first to bring images of the big scenic vistas to the public.
Personally I feel the same way. Many of his greatest works would just be another black and white instagram post of the same scene shot 1 million times in todays world of landscape photography.
Great video, especially looking at the gear Ansel Adams used in the context of what was available. I think Ansel Adams’ artistic gift is his expression of mood through shades of black and white. He essentially got the most out of the materials that were practically available. It seems like he would get full use from today’s digital cameras and processing software. That includes color using today’s processes.
When I first saw this concept, the first thing I thought was that Ansel Adams would be photographing the climate crisis. He was a passionate conservationist, and so I think that he would be using his art and platform to show the changing state of the National Parks.
Yeah I thought in a similar way and I think he would’ve traveled to showcase some parts of the world as well like Sebastião Salgado and how the climate crisis has changed the landscape! Thanks for watching Ted!
Very thought provoking video Tatiana, I would have to agree with your thinking on how Adams would or could have experimented and moved into the digital realm of photography. This would make a great series in my opinion. Thank you as always. 😎❤
Thank you Rich! I personally also think this could have a lot of potential as a series because we can gain so much from comparing methods of different ages, people from different worlds etc thank you so much for watching and leaving a comment as always I appreciate you continuous support my friend!
I think most of the great photographers would at least explore the technology available to them. What they would adopt probably depends more the technology available and how well it fits their artistic sensibilities. People often forget color photography goes much further back (pre WWI) than they realize. Not saying the color photos of that era where all that good but they do exist.
I think your speculation on Adams' working in contemporary times is highly correct, particularly about color, and digital (as he himself had anticipated new technology.) To deny this is to project limits on Adams' genius.
I enjoy your videos, T. Hopper. You ought to read Adams' last interview, which was in Art News magazine. It would add a lot to the ideas in this video.
Hello Tatiana!! I hope all is great with you in your part of the world....good to see you again on UA-cam!!! I really enjoyed your slant on Mr. AA. Interesting to think about him with modern equipment and choices....although we in the modern world have ruined a lot of nature he would have found still pristine back then. I think he'd definitely go for the "digital medium format"....but also would stick with large format film. He might even get into panos like I am and try the Shen Hao 6x17 medium format view camera to get that interesting perspective...I don't think they really had that much set up for MF back then? It sure would be interesting if we could set up the Time Machine and see what happened.... Anyway, thanks again for a very interesting and thought provoking presentation!! Have a great weekend!! CC
Hello! Thanks for tuning in with the channel and watching another vid! Much appreciate it and also your comment, I wish we could set up a Time Machine and go back in time but also go further in time to see what’s coming (perhaps not in case we witness big changes or tragedies). I agree with you he would possibly do some panoramic images as well, I think it could be an interesting tool for him to work with! Thanks for the feedback and all the best ✨
Great new interesting consept. Always savoring your new videos. H.C.B. was already mentioned so throwing other past masters Man Ray, Robert Capa and Diane Arbus.
Very interesting topic! Based on hearing comments about Saul Leiter and I think Jay Maisel about technology I did think about Ansel Adams. Knowing his views on environmental issues I think he would be torn to fully adopt digital but he would settle on a comprise to shot film but post process electronically. He would be the master of pushing the extends of lightroom and photoshop to expand his ability to elevate reality. I did not know that he ever shot color or why he did not shot color until your video so, I would say that he would playfully experiment with color and take the control over the color that he never had before the digital darkroom
Great thoughts! Thanks for sharing them and for watching! Whilst I was making this video I got a copy of a book Ansel Adams in Color it has a lot of his colour work so if you want to have a look online if you’re curious and want to grab a copy, you might enjoy it! Mine was very used so it was cheaper otherwise I think the book is quite expensive!
great video to kick off a new series T. really interesting concept 🙂 you must do a piece on a "modern" HCB anyway, I'm a big AA fan. it's funny to think he had real GAS - with all that kit! He must've had an army of helpers to cart it all around!
I know! When I watched the documentary and notice that I did a fade there on my voice and skipped to another section because in my original voice recording I kept numbering more gear for another minute or so 😅 Which made me think he would’ve had an entourage with him to help him out ahah thanks for watching Nick! Hope you’re keeping well!
What a worthy subject of inquiry, It is a wider gamut than photography, it might entail all of modernity since at least the last 5000 years with written and recorded language. As our planet is showings signs of fever with its temperature rising, we need a newer look.
I wonder if AA were alive and taking pictures today whether his photography would stand out as much as it did in his time. Digital cameras and Photoshop are readily available to everyone and have leveled the playing field. Not sure we would care about his portfolio over others.
I think we would, personally I think he is definitely one of the best landscape photographers I’ve ever seen and even if say, he wasn’t as popular today as he was before I still think his portfolio would stand out personally speaking of course :)
Wonderful video :) People forget that Ansel was a very open minded and visionary photographer who dabbled and experimented, not strictly stuck to false norms and restrictions.
The same year that Adams died John Szarkowski, giving a talk at ICP, quipped that he firmly believed that mankind had finally reached the point where there were more photographs in the world than bricks. This leads me to wonder that if Mr. Adams were alive today would he be on instagram ?
Very interesting video and food for thought. I'd love to speculate Cartier-Bresson as a contemporary photographer. Would he have embraced color despite his own views on its limitations? He would definitely have been a modern Leica ambassador and therefore would have embraced digital wholeheartedly, venturing out with an M11around his neck!
I think so too! I’d be interested in seeing that episode happen and I agree with many of your assumptions! Thanks so much for watching and sharing your thoughts Simon!
I’m a film photographer myself so I’m not necessarily taking a turn against film but rather making a conscious and informative statement, it does, plenty of information out there, water, chemicals, exploration to obtain raw materials for film etc.
If a creator, as many of them have done, creates something that does not elevate the spirit, it is not art, it is something else. Perhaps to disagree with this statement is what you meant when you said it was "antiquated" or "gothic". As a student of metaphysics we know/believe that beauty is what elevates the spirit. Beauty is a transcendental, as is truth, and goodness. When something is created that elevates the spirit it is created in participation with the universal or transcendent beauty. Ansel Adams was correct then and correct now. Modernity, as much as it attempts to, does not change these universals, therefore it does not change the definition of art as that which elevates the spirit. Every creative act of expression is not art. That which deflates the spirit, is indeed an act of expression and a particular act of the creator, but it is not art and in doing so is not the act of an artist, although those who create such acts of expression may also create art, it is only then that they can properly be called an artist. I'm sure I will be labeled a "hater" for this, but we must understand that to disagree is not to hate. We are called upon to love, to tolerate, and to include, but those who unjustly label a person as a "hater" are not loving, tolerant, or inclusive. No one can call for "inclusivity" while at the same time excluding others. This is irrational.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Peter, I personally don’t disagree with his statement, I can why it can be considered old fashioned today but I wouldn’t necessarily disagree with Ansel, on the contrary. I think you made an excellent summary there! And I wouldn’t be worried about being labelled anything… labels have the fundament and meaning one wants to give them, so if someone reads your comment and labels you something it’s their issue not yours, their label not yours. We humans have a profound liking for labelling and calling names to things we can’t understand.
What an interesting and almost limitless question! Seems like there will be value in continuing this idea for yourself too, in finding new tools that work well with your style, and where you want it to go in the future. I think the same can be said for all the viewers too 🫡
Thank you Kevin! My exact thoughts, I wanted to see what we can learn from past methods and the discovery of new methods and how can that affect us as viewers / creators / artists. Thanks so much for watching! Hope you’re keeping well!
Ansel was very progrssive artist. He felt that a photograph as a piece of music should be rendered differently as time and artist changes. Near his final days he had an opportunity to look into the very first digital camera and digital image and per his statement he was very excited the the changes coming to photography with digital iages. As we all know he was a master of exposure, processing and printing to create the image his vision saw in the seen. He did not try to reproduce an image with straight exposures, processing and printing, he would create images the captured the power and majasty that he saw in the scene. I will add that as an old fart living in the SF Bay areaa, I spent alot of time listening to him speak and examining his images up close. He was an artist who used all of the tools of his art to create art and I have little patience for thoses who demand a photographer should not set up a photograph, does not use software to create the images their imagination sees in the scene. as with realism and astract in painting, there are equivalents in photography as long as the photographer is honest as to their intent and process. this was a great episode and the first of many I hope.
What a great comment, loved reading your thoughts and I appreciate them. You are right about the photographer being clear about their intention and the use of terms like realism and abstract! Thanks for watching and all the best to you :)
Hope you guys enjoyed this new video & concept. Don't forget to leave a like to let me know you enjoyed and your thoughts below. What ideas do you have for future episodes? Things you would like me to imagine and explore!
Also keep an eye out for Miss Anne's story at 08:46 ahah
A modern version, in my opinion, exists. David Brookover, based in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is a wonderful landscape photographer, but isn't limited to the genre. His still-life work is outstanding and unique. Using both film and digital, he uses the medium necessary to deliver his vision. His prints, mostly completed by Hidden Light in Flagstaff, Arizona, are completed in both silver gelatin and platinum/palladium. A similar process as Adams goes into in his books "The Darkroom" and "The Print", happens through a blend of digital and darkroom techniques during the printing process. The craftsmanship, vision, and dedication to detail from both are on a level not easily compared. I am not connected to either party, but respect and aspire to the quality of art created by these people. Sorry to fanboy about them, but the work they create is truly inspiring.
The future is Hybrid. Darkroom is great (my passion) but its potential is limited. Shoot film, convert to digital, and archive the negatives *forever!*
Hello, Tatiana.
I get jealous when I see you standing with that beautiful Hasselblad in your hands.
But positively jealous without envy.
What I think is that Ansel Adams did not photograph with his eyes but with his heart and soul.
When he saw a composition he already knew what it would look like on paper.
Every photo of Ansel Adams has a soul.
Technically, I think he would have enjoyed Photoshop and Lightroom. And he had this completely under control, down to the smallest detail.
He would do it no differently than in the wet room, but with the technology that was available.
I completely agree with you about the tools. A digital Hasselblad and an analog Hasselblad for when he got a nostalgic feeling and wanted to work with film again.
But what remains and is the strength of his work is ensuring that the result has a soul.
He would be very happy that he didn't need a big truck to do his work. He could grab his camera bag and drive to the destination.
Instead of spending an hour loading all his tools into that big car.
The greatest thing I learned from him is that a photo is not just a picture of something beautiful, but that it is a creation that you envisioned from your heart. So that the result had its own soul. I also know that he worked in color, but also that he preferred black and white. Actually, it was because of this gentleman that I got stuck in black and white. Even when I had a dark room it was black and white because I couldn't afford color with a woman and two little boys. When digital came along I already had trouble with color. It was confusing for me. So now, at 63 years old, I just keep it black and white. I also believe what you say about Ansel Adams making color. But as a "by-product" the main course would still remain black and white, I think. I think he would take a color camera and not a Leica black and white. I say this because he would then use the colors in his conversion to black and white. I think this mainly because he was also a technical photographer. Before he released the shutter, he already knew 90% of what the result would be. And I don't think we should say black and white or color, but black and white with the use of color, at least in this day and age.
It was a pleasure to watch your video again and for me, it leaves me wanting more, dear Tatiana.
Sincere warm greetings from the Netherlands,
Antoine.
Hello Antonine! What a lovely comment I could feel your appreciation and connection to Ansel Adams’ work! Amazing to read it and I agree with all your insights too! I really appreciatev your kind words and for taking your time to watch this video! Much love back to you ✨
@@TatianaHopper Thank you very much, my dear friend.
@@toine1915 🤍
Salgado demonstrated you don't need an 8x10 view camera to create stunning images. Ansel wanted exhibition prints going to 40x50 inches. Salgado necer printed over 11x14 and then he didn't (always had a darkroomer). In later years he shot digital and took advantage of full frame sensors of over 18Mpx.
I love that you put this together. Not only does this make me want to think of photography as more then just a photo, but it makes me want to really believe that i am one.
Sorry this is a bit of an essay. I've just finished reading Ansel Adams' autobiography for the second time. I first read it about 20 years ago. Adams the old man would have loved the digital age - hence his comment at the end of the second edition of The Negative. If Adams was a young man today I don't know if he'd have even been a photographer. He had a turning point in his life where he decided not to be a concert pianist but to concentrate on photography. Today maybe he would have gone the way of the musician or an environmental scientist. What he relished in the early part of the 20th century was craft. He was in a world where art photographs were rare. In the 1920's he was attracted to a cutting edge, new medium and a new approach in the form of Straight Photography as opposed to the pictorialists of the time. He referred to his approach in the f/64 group as "Calvinist". He rode the wave of modernism. What is new now? Where is the equivalent of the modernist movement in the 21st century? Postmodernism has largely smashed up any notion of the sincerity of Adams' approach to the form of things. It is all seen as nostalgic.
The whole of Adams' photographic approach was learning to visualised exposure zones in a scene as values of gray on a finished print and having a high enough level of craft to implement ones creative vision through the whole negative positive process. When you have a digital camera which has 10 stops of dynamic range none of the craft is necessary. What tones will the final image have? Well that will depend on the colour gamut of the device the person is viewing it on! The artist doesn't even control the size. There is no liberation through limitation because there is no limitation. If prints are made then the process is closer to what was called prepress than photography.
What if all the craft was removed from playing the piano and it no longer took years of practice to be able to play the right notes at the right time. The filter would have been removed so that anyone could be a classical concert pianist with a few evenings dabling! Would we all be great artists or would there just be a lot of mediocre concert recitals that drowned out the greats? Indeed would there be any greats if having something to say was a product of developing the craft to say it? That is the difference between Adams' time and ours.
My favourite quote from his autobiography is in a note he wrote to Beaumont and Nancy Newhall in 1946 on the appointment of Edward Steichen (their nemesis) as the head of photography at MOMA: "In short, everything that we feared, the complete engulfing of photography as you and I see it and feel it into a vast picture archive of subjects".
What a great comment Roger, I really appreciate the insight you shared and all those details on Adams’ life. Is the book you mentioned also written or with the participation of Mary Street Alinder?
I was recommend a book by her on Ansel Adams in the members community and I’m after it. But if it’s a different book I would love to compare them so I can then buy one of them :)
Thanks so much for watching!
@@TatianaHopper Yes it is "with Mary Street Alinder". I guess she was the one of the pair who could write! He was getting on when they produced the book and so she probably did a lot of the work and he did a lot of reminiscing. It certainly reads like an older man's reflections in the pub. A good read though as he overlapped with so many other photographers. I listened to the audio book of Dorothea Lange by Linda Gordon and Adams was mentioned but in Adams autobiography he says they worked on a number of projects. Then the friendships with Edwin Land and Edward Weston and overlapping with Paul Strand and Minor White. O.K. maybe he just spends the whole book name dropping!
Replying to my own comment! Here is Adam Savage making a similar point about the danger or the "easily come by". ua-cam.com/video/ESSHjm0xbig/v-deo.htmlsi=Duajc1zi2AT3nx4H
You put so much into these videos. Really fascinating to venture into these ideas.
Thanks so much Rebecca! Appreciate your opinion 🙌
Thanks for posting this! As a "disciple" of Ansel, I've often wondered about how he'd approach photography if he were still around. I'm certain he'd be aghast at how "watered down" things have become with the ubiquity of camera phones and social media and the resultant sea of mediocre images. He might just go back to the piano! If he did pick up a camera, it would be one he could in fact pick up--not a huge view camara--much more likely an MFT like a Lumix G9 (with its great DoF and huge variety of compatible lenses) and other cameras to suit certain situations. As you show, he wrote of the prospect of digital and embraced the concept, and although he certainly wouldn't require the "auto-previsualization" that mirrorless provides, he wasn't the type to deliberately "do it the hard way"--he simply wanted to produce the best possible prints by whatever means. Despite his extensive knowledge of chemistry-driven film development and printing, I think he would've loved digital post-processing and reveled in the powerful and flexible (and clean/green) editing it enables, plus the ability to easily make predictable changes to prints to get what he wanted. I think he'd use more sophisticated tools than LR/PS (like DxO/Nik) as they can do more and "feel" more like film processing (specially Silver Efex Pro, which supports the Zone System and affords much more precise control over filters than could be achieved with glass filters). I also doubt he'd do a lot of posting online as the only "real" photograph will always be the print.
Your comment on his philosophy is spot-on, and one of best uses of photography is to try to open people's eyes to the beauty of nature and man's relentless assault on it. I'm sure Ansel would be in Greta Thunberg's circle! As he was also a great teacher, I'm sure he'd indeed conduct master classes online to share his knowledge (likely on YT). One other thing--I see what looks like a print of Nighthawks in the background--are you related to Edward or just an admirer? It would've been interesting had he been a photographer--there's a "what if he were a photographer" for you to explore (Cezanne would be another interesting choice).
Thanks so much for your comment! Loved reading all the insights you shared and it made a lot of sense to me, also what a great idea the one of having Edward Hopper as a photographer that for sure would be a great episode. Hope you keep well and thanks again for watching and commenting!
Ps - not related to Hopper :)
Thanks to you for your inspiring and well-produced videos (you'd think you were related to Dennis)!.@@TatianaHopper
@@ddsdss256 and funny enough I always loved Dennis’ acting and he was my favourite actor as a child and growing up, coincidence!
Very professional video thanks and an interesting idea. Good one. Classy MPB ad too!
Thanks so much Geoff, appreciate the support and glad you liked the MPB segment 😅
Great idea Tatiana! From learning about AA, he would have embraced the current technology and would have a bigger body of work. I would love to see this video on Gordon Parks, Robert Frank and William Eggleston. Thanks for sharing!
Beautifully written and imagined. Thank you.
Thanks for watching John :)
The portrait of Adams in work apron outside of his studio (workshop?) is one that has stuck with me.
I think A. Adams might be overwhelmed a bit by what is happening to the American West he loved so much. The development to make Arizona and Utah (not to mention California) into places conducive to urban life. I don't think he would appreciate not being able to take his equipment into certain places because of regulations. Waiting in lines to see that beautiful scenery would not appeal to him. I agree that he would embrace digital technology. I see his best talent as being able to imagine the photograph he wanted without looking at it first after exposing it. Great topic. It makes us think outside of the box!
It's a really thought-provoking idea, and I enjoyed your analysis, and the question posed. I imagine him using some state of the art camera mounted to a big drone - but only to capture something he has 'seen' but not been able to convey from the ground (rather than for IG, etc). Secondly, I imagine him writing the essay we all want and need to read about the convergence of photography and AI, drawing on all his experience in harnessing technology to continuously improve the photographic image. Where is a line crossed? He would define that question and offer an answer for debate. In spite of this, what is interesting is that although the technologies available to photographers today well surpass what was available to Adams, his images have not really been surpassed in their impact. They still resonate - but you capture the 'why' for that so well in your outline of his upbringing and worldview. Thanks again Tatiana for a great documentary.
Thank you so much for sharing your opinion, I appreciate your thoughts! ✨
Great angle. When I left traditional academic art training, I remarked that had the Renaissance and Baroque painters access to cameras, they would have embraced it. Years later, as a magazine art director, I was an early evangelist for digital photography, much to the chagrin of my colleagues who refused to let go of the inane complexity, inefficiency and costly process of film. Every month, thousands of dollars were unnecessarily squandered on film and processing, and making work prints Fedexed back and forth from the West and East coasts. Until the Great Recession of 2008 opened everyone's eyes.
Furthermore, digital lowered the barrier to entry for photography, unleashing astonishing creative potential worldwide. You are absolutely right that Adams was not a Luddite and, like artists throughout history, would have embraced progress.
Very enjoyable video! I love that he wrote about and
mentioned electronic images in his book. As it makes a video like this so relevant and necessary. As your presentation states, I believe he would have embraced the digital medium without abandoning film. I enjoyed too the references to his love of nature and conservation as well as his hard work to preserve our national treasures and parks. Thank you for an outstanding work!
Thank you so much for watching my friend! I'm so glad you liked it, a bit of a different concept, it definitely takes more time to put these together but I think it worked well, it especially touched me his preoccupation with nature and definitely had an impact on me reading about his life, his efforts and his words!
I graduated from Art Center College of Design. It was at Art Center that Ansel Adams and Fred Archer codified the general rules known to most photographers at the time into the Zone System. Because of the need back when I was studying photography, where black and white was still in extensive use for commercial work, we did extensive work with the Zone System to the point that we mixed up special use developers from the chemicals used to create black and white developing chemicals. I have a number of his books and has been a fan of his work since I was in high school.
Adams started out as an amateur photographer who loved nature and was frustrated by the fact his photographs didn't convey the emotion he felt when viewing the scene. This led him to immerse himself to an OCD level into the technical side of image capture.
He didn't pursue color because of the serious limitations of capturing the full dynamic range of a scene. Color film, then as now, has a more limited dynamic range and no way to successfully manipulate it. Digital photography provides us with the same tools to manipulate the capture of dynamic range that we can with monochrome images.
He may very well use Hasselblad cameras in modern times, but I think he'd explore Fuji GFX-100s, especially the newest version. The 100 megapixel sensor and it's ability to pixel shift for even larger image capture would probably be appealing to him. Combine that with the newest tilt/shift lenses offered by Fuji and he would have many of the adjustments available with view cameras. I know if I was heavily into landscape and commercial photography, that's the kit I'd own.
What a great idea Tatiana! This is an interesting and thought-provoking way of looking at the history of photography and a really well made video. I would love to see more. Maybe you could make a video about how Jeff Wall made 'staged' street photos rather like the original street photographers, who used large format cameras?
I think this series can have great potential! I will be thinking of ideas to share but it’s cool to reimagine things and colliding worlds as you said maybe famous filmmakers as photographers or something, love Ansel and I think you did him justice :)
Also props to miss Anne 🤪
Funny you mention it one of my ideas for episode two resolves around that :) thanks for watching!
@@mid90s75😂
A very original way to look at a famous and brilliant photographer, very interesting, thank you! And I love your little sponsor segments ❤.
Thank you so much Alan! Much appreciated ✨
Remarkable content. Much respect and affection for everything you present to us.
Thank you so much my friend! I really appreciate your respect and kindness ✨
Today AA would be a climate protester, maybe even an eco-terrorist...but, boy, his protests and eco-actions would be creative!
Actually he was pretty moderate in his environmental views and butted heads with Sierra Club for being too over the top.
I can imagine him doing that or also being a bit more conservative in his ways but extremely creative. Kind of like Sebastião Salgado if you have a look at his Instagram he is constantly sharing images of his work and talking about those people, the issues, environmental impact etc etc
@@TatianaHopper People have a pretty simplistic view of what environmentalists are actually like. Teddy Roosevelt who created the national park system was both a avid hunter and conversationalist.
@@ironmonkey1512 very true and he lead many expeditions and he took loads of ventures such as the Panama Canal (if I’m not mistaken).
Very cool insights. Thank you for your insights and bringing them to us.
Glad you enjoyed the video! Thank you for watching :)
Really appreciate all the hard work and research that you put into these very well thought our videos. Keep up the amazing work! Big fan! 😊
Thank you so much! Will keep it coming! Really appreciate it! All the best to you ✨
Very cool concept!
Thanks!
I recently finished Mary Alinder's exquisite biography of Adams. You are certainly correct about his embracing technology. He was a close personal friend of Edwin Land and loved Polaroid cameras, particularly the SX70. He shot a lot of Polaroids, which, I suspect, rarely get seen. He also evaluated Hasselblad cameras for the company from their very first prototypes (apparently, if you turned it upside down, the mirror would fall out-Adams viewed that as a flaw). He created most of his masterpieces on view cameras (of which he had several different sizes), initially on glass plate negatives and later on film stock. However, the majority of his iconic images were taken before 1949. After that, his output declined, partly because he could no longer carry the heavy view cameras into the terrain where he liked to shoot. At that point, he switched to medium format (Hasselblad largely), and most of his notable later images were shot on that system (the famous Moon and Half Dome is a great example). I think you are correct; Adams would have embraced digital technology.
Well I’m happy and I feel that my opinions are validated a bit because I also am looking forward to read that book in fact when you first mentioned it on the members post I looked around for it but because I had to post this video much earlier I didn’t have enough time to read the whole book and have that extra insight. I just thought given his connection to Hasselblad that he would probably continue the tie with them into this new digital age where there’s a lot of abundance of cameras ou there but only a few (I suspect) he would truly appreciate. Would love to see his Polaroids! Although I do have to say I got my hands recently on a book of his colour work and I’m excited for it to arrive! :)
I read the Alinder biography many years ago. An excellent and comprehensive book. She even had a gallery in Gualala, California, where several of the Adams prints were for sale.
@@jeff8289 It is a great book. I have to admit I gained a whole other level of appreciation for Adams than I had previously. Alinder also wrote a history of the f64 group, which was really informative.
Thank you Hopper! Ansel Adams spent so much time and effort in the darkroom, no doubt to me he would have gone digital. But he would always have a hand in advanced analog processes. We don't have enough innovation in sensors, and I'm sure he would have pushed that too.
Yes I agree especially with his connections to industry giants such as Hasselblad and Polaroid. Thanks for watching! :)
In the section where you discuss his color photography, I think you summed up Ansel Adams's guiding force: "He wanted to learn." That is what I admire about him.
Same here! I think generally speaking there is this idea that Ansel Adams was very much closed off to progress due to some of his popular quotes about colour and black & white which I think were taken a bit out of context because one thing I learn with making this video was for sure that he loved learning and supported progress! Thanks for watching Fernando ✨
Your videos are always so great Tatiana. You're a shining light on UA-cam. I really appreciate the passion you put into these videos. Much love ✌
Thank you so much! I really appreciate your words I definitely want to make the content more diverse still within photography of course but just bring different ideas or approaches :)
The reality of working digitally is that it is a sit on your buttocks activity. The photographer sits and stares at a monitor while manipulating little buttons and sliders with a mouse. The complexity of this mind numbing process takes over and the art becomes secondary.
Adams liked to move around physically.
Film and wet darkroom image creation is a physical process akin to painting, drawing and sculpture.
Painters, artists who draw, and sculptors are involved in a physical act when creating art. Adams was physically involved in his image making ( just watch a film of him working in his darkroom).
Digital image making is a lesser art form and will become even more diminished with advances in machine assisted learning and artificial intelligence.
The old ways are often the best ways.
Very good idea and exploration. Ansel seemed open to experimentation. In the mid 1960s he was hired by the University of California to photograph their campuses and interiors in what turned out to be his 2nd largest project after the Yosemite work. His architectural and interiors of the schools are very interesting and impressive. His developing techniques (zone?) are stark and the Moon over Hernandez New Mexico print is much different and more dramatic than Hernandez actually looks. He was a courageous guy and as a musician there is a rhythm to his work. Take a look at his University of California pictures.
I didn’t know about this assignment, for sure will check it out! Thanks so much for watching and leaving a comment :)
Thanks for your reply and interest. Here's a link to a slide show with commentary on the Ansel project called Fiat Lux starting at about the 22:20 mark and going to about the 40 minute mark.
ua-cam.com/video/oPzbsifjH8o/v-deo.htmlsi=MZU87xrThmwMnOaj&t=1341
If the link doesn't work a search for "Fiat Lux UA-cam 2012 UC Event" should find the 89 minute video. There is also a video of Ansel farm pictures of various University of California agricultural projects in the 1960s narrated by the famous American food writer Michael Pollan. There is a lot more to Ansel than just the Yosemite photos. I saw an exhibit of the Fiat Lux photos on the UC Berkeley campus a few years ago.
@@lesz344 amazing thank you so much! I really appreciate it :)
I think Ansel Adams would've embraced colour in the digital age due to the control we now have. Great documentary. Regards
Yes I agree with you! Thanks so much for watching!
This was a great video, Tatiana! Greatly enjoyed it and hearing your musing on "What if Ansel Adams could fly." Also enjoyed the shots of WIcklow. I go to Dublin fairly regularly to visit family, but I have not spent much time up there. Clearly that is something that should change.
Yeah! Wicklow is beautiful, especially the Wicklow Mountains which is where I filmed this video! If you have a chance definitely go there :)
What a fantastic video and idea for a series! I love the way you approached this- very refreshing!
Thanks so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it thanks for watching!
Another excellent video … ta very much! The MPB bit was brilliant too … can’t wait to see the next MPB short … worth the price of admission! Is Anne related to Anja Wülfing? 📷🙂
Ahaha maybe she is (I had no idea about Anja’s work) I just wanted an excuse to feature Clark on the channel. Thanks so much for watching and for your kind comment 🙏🏻
Excellent and well done. No one can truly know what someone would do in another time but your assessment makes a lot of sense. You have gotten to know him. Thx!
Thank you Ted! Glad it resonated with you and of course we will never know but sometimes it’s good to imagine and wonder if :)
I like this format a lot. Henri Cartier-Bresson would be quite an obvious choice for another video.
That’s correct he would be! I’ll think about that one, thanks for watching!
Hello Tatiana, I loved this video!!! Hopefully it becomes a new series. It is very interesting to see and learn about photographers even deeper than just their photographs.
As always, thank you so much for the vid
Thank you Tomas! Really appreciate your comment and glad you enjoy this new series / concept! Take care!
your videos are very inspiring
I appreciate that!
Best Friday Ever! Have a good weekend & thanks.
Thank you so much! Cheers for watching!
*Did you know AA missed his sheet film because he couldnt fully use his zone system?*
Roll film can get you huge enlargements but you're stuck with what you chose as exposure bias and developement. Digital frees you from that, but then, *will it keep?*
I'd like to see (but won't) how many digital memories remain twenty years from now.
I shoot film, convert to digital. Try to print what I consider worthy.
Shoot tons of digital too, of course but if I don't cull no one will go through them ever. Not 20 years from now.
nonsense, adams like anyone shooting medium format would have multiple film backs so that he could dedicate them to different development techniques
Very creative video concept 🤩
wonder if ansel wound have stated a youtube channel 🤔
He probably would’ve! Thanks for watching :)
I had wanted to go to film school when I was younger, but did not have the courage to do so, and instead became a lawyer. I always regretted that choice and wondered what it might have been like had I chosen film school. Thank you for helping me to have a little glimpse into what that world would have been like for me. What a lovely place to explore and learn and imagine and create! Thank you thank you.
Thank you so much for watching Jack and look it’s never too late, you can always be creative and you can always pick up a camera and nowadays it’s easier to access equipment and do things even if they’re for yourself, have fun, life is short as we all know so enjoy it! Thanks for watching and for commenting :)
You got it all right, Tatiana. Ansel embraced technology and would work digital to its limits. Thanks for all your hard work. Defiantly a work of love. ❤
Thank you! It definitely took me a while to put this video together (a couple of months in fact of research, filming etc) but I really loved the result in the end and I’m glad that now reading the comments people find it interesting and resonates with them :) thanks so much for watching & commenting!
Hey T, love the new backdrop. The green is great, matches the Nighthawks painting!
Glad you like it! Thanks so much for watching!
Ansel had a Ilford sei photometer/light meter at 11:48 Incredible piece of kit for the day and still is in 2023. 😍
One of the problems with comparing an early 20th century photographer to a 21st century one, photography and motion pictures was a new medium for the time. Even into the 1950's, using 35mm, medium format and view cameras to capture the world or document something no one ever has seen before was a new event. Today with people using cell phones to photograph their lunch or dinner, photography has become common place, pedestrian. #AI imagery is the 'new thing' and no matter how experience the photographer is with film, Polaroid and digital. The magic of photography is gone and never coming back. Down with #AI imagery.
Love this style of video, such an interesting way to explore one of the greats and the ways the form has developed
Thank you! Glad you like the concept! 🙌
I often wonder how a classic composer like Mozart or Bach would react to todays music, recordings, instruments etc
I know I have thought of that too, imagine playing mumble rap to Mozart 😂 but seriously I think it would be interesting to hear what they would produce today perhaps they would adopt a more feeling / just listening type of posture like Rick Rubin!
Lovely video. I had a chance to talk with Ansel Adams in the mid-seventies for about three hours. Such an inspiration. Some other photographers that might be of interest are Eugene Atget, Man Ray, Stieglitz (who knows what he would be up to). Let's not forget Paul Strand or Walker Evans. On a landscaping note, what about the Hudson School of painters in the early nineteenth century?
Very interesting ideas I love that the Hudson River school in fact I keep some pictures of their paintings on my Mac and I look at them from time to time for inspiration! Thanks so much for watching!
Very Very good. 😊😊😊😊 Andreas
Thank you Andreas!
Excellent video! You covered it well. For sure Ansel Adams would have embraced the digital darkroom and the incredible dynamic range capabilities of modern cameras (virtually extending the range of his original Zone System). Great idea for a series. One can only imagine the images of a modern day W. Eugene Smith, Robert Frank or Dorothea Lange shooting the homeless crisis in America.✌
Oh that’s an excellent point Joeseph one can only imagine I think Eugene Smith would’ve made an incredible essay on the opioid crisis in the US (and homeless as well) I just think given his previous essays on doctors / health practitioners. I’m you enjoyed the video and think Adams would have embraced digital tools like our “modern darkroom”, thanks so much for watching! 🙏🏻
The vídeo Is a vera Nice Print of vier Tatiana :)
Digital is fragile. It won't be tomorrow unless it's on film (ethernal) or printed (200 years?).
Watch: Subtitles in many languages available through the (*) icon.
He would have definitely used a tripod while shooting on that Hasselblad
For sure lol
If Ansel Adams is alive rn he's gonna be a fortnite skin lmao
🤣
Excellent video and I fully agree. I think Adams was more driven by vision and used the most advanced technology he had access to. That would stay the same.
He was a pioneer in every aspect of photography.
Thanks for watching & sharing your opinion Edward! 🙏🏻
Agreed!
I think if that 'Journalist' had hair, height, and perception he would not be such a - well, photojournalist.
AA would just be another landscape photographer lost within a sea of landscape photographers today. He was only significant because he was one of the first to bring images of the big scenic vistas to the public.
Very interesting comment I wouldn’t agree personally but I can see where you’re coming from and I respect your opinion :)
Personally I feel the same way. Many of his greatest works would just be another black and white instagram post of the same scene shot 1 million times in todays world of landscape photography.
Great video, especially looking at the gear Ansel Adams used in the context of what was available. I think Ansel Adams’ artistic gift is his expression of mood through shades of black and white. He essentially got the most out of the materials that were practically available. It seems like he would get full use from today’s digital cameras and processing software. That includes color using today’s processes.
Agreed! Thanks so much for watching!
A series like this would be very interesting.
Thanks Peter!
Great concept.
🙏🏻
When I first saw this concept, the first thing I thought was that Ansel Adams would be photographing the climate crisis. He was a passionate conservationist, and so I think that he would be using his art and platform to show the changing state of the National Parks.
Yeah I thought in a similar way and I think he would’ve traveled to showcase some parts of the world as well like Sebastião Salgado and how the climate crisis has changed the landscape! Thanks for watching Ted!
Very thought provoking video Tatiana, I would have to agree with your thinking on how Adams would or could have experimented and moved into the digital realm of photography.
This would make a great series in my opinion. Thank you as always. 😎❤
Thank you Rich! I personally also think this could have a lot of potential as a series because we can gain so much from comparing methods of different ages, people from different worlds etc thank you so much for watching and leaving a comment as always I appreciate you continuous support my friend!
I think most of the great photographers would at least explore the technology available to them. What they would adopt probably depends more the technology available and how well it fits their artistic sensibilities. People often forget color photography goes much further back (pre WWI) than they realize. Not saying the color photos of that era where all that good but they do exist.
Agree with you on your points particularly when you say colour goes way back to more than what people realise! Thanks for watching & commenting! 🙏🏻
I think your speculation on Adams' working in contemporary times is highly correct, particularly about color, and digital (as he himself had anticipated new technology.) To deny this is to project limits on Adams' genius.
I enjoy your videos, T. Hopper. You ought to read Adams' last interview, which was in Art News magazine. It would add a lot to the ideas in this video.
Thanks for the recommendation! Much appreciated!
Hello Tatiana!!
I hope all is great with you in your part of the world....good to see you again on UA-cam!!!
I really enjoyed your slant on Mr. AA. Interesting to think about him with modern equipment and choices....although we in the modern world have ruined a lot of nature he would have found still pristine back then.
I think he'd definitely go for the "digital medium format"....but also would stick with large format film. He might even get into panos like I am and try the Shen Hao 6x17 medium format view camera to get that interesting perspective...I don't think they really had that much set up for MF back then?
It sure would be interesting if we could set up the Time Machine and see what happened....
Anyway, thanks again for a very interesting and thought provoking presentation!!
Have a great weekend!!
CC
Hello! Thanks for tuning in with the channel and watching another vid! Much appreciate it and also your comment, I wish we could set up a Time Machine and go back in time but also go further in time to see what’s coming (perhaps not in case we witness big changes or tragedies). I agree with you he would possibly do some panoramic images as well, I think it could be an interesting tool for him to work with! Thanks for the feedback and all the best ✨
Great new interesting consept. Always savoring your new videos. H.C.B. was already mentioned so throwing other past masters Man Ray, Robert Capa and Diane Arbus.
Thank you so much! Yeah those are all great I really appreciate the suggestions! :)
Very interesting topic! Based on hearing comments about Saul Leiter and I think Jay Maisel about technology I did think about Ansel Adams. Knowing his views on environmental issues I think he would be torn to fully adopt digital but he would settle on a comprise to shot film but post process electronically. He would be the master of pushing the extends of lightroom and photoshop to expand his ability to elevate reality. I did not know that he ever shot color or why he did not shot color until your video so, I would say that he would playfully experiment with color and take the control over the color that he never had before the digital darkroom
Great thoughts! Thanks for sharing them and for watching! Whilst I was making this video I got a copy of a book Ansel Adams in Color it has a lot of his colour work so if you want to have a look online if you’re curious and want to grab a copy, you might enjoy it! Mine was very used so it was cheaper otherwise I think the book is quite expensive!
great video to kick off a new series T. really interesting concept 🙂 you must do a piece on a "modern" HCB
anyway, I'm a big AA fan. it's funny to think he had real GAS - with all that kit! He must've had an army of helpers to cart it all around!
I know! When I watched the documentary and notice that I did a fade there on my voice and skipped to another section because in my original voice recording I kept numbering more gear for another minute or so 😅
Which made me think he would’ve had an entourage with him to help him out ahah thanks for watching Nick! Hope you’re keeping well!
What a worthy subject of inquiry, It is a wider gamut than photography, it might entail all of modernity since at least the last 5000 years with written and recorded language.
As our planet is showings signs of fever with its temperature rising, we need a newer look.
Loved this episode, T! I think most of your assumptions are spot on.
Thank you my friend! Appreciate you!
I wonder if AA were alive and taking pictures today whether his photography would stand out as much as it did in his time. Digital cameras and Photoshop are readily available to everyone and have leveled the playing field. Not sure we would care about his portfolio over others.
I think we would, personally I think he is definitely one of the best landscape photographers I’ve ever seen and even if say, he wasn’t as popular today as he was before I still think his portfolio would stand out personally speaking of course :)
@@TatianaHopper With no disrespect to AA, take a look at Clyde Butcher's work. Kind of a current AA as far as subject and processes.
Wonderful video :) People forget that Ansel was a very open minded and visionary photographer who dabbled and experimented, not strictly stuck to false norms and restrictions.
Completely agree! Thanks so much for watching and commenting!
Bonjour. Last but not least he would be a UA-camr😂
Possibly!
He would be a you tuber.
Probably yeah!
The same year that Adams died John Szarkowski, giving a talk at ICP, quipped that he firmly believed that mankind had finally reached the point where there were more photographs in the world than bricks. This leads me to wonder that if Mr. Adams were alive today would he be on instagram ?
Very interesting video and food for thought. I'd love to speculate Cartier-Bresson as a contemporary photographer. Would he have embraced color despite his own views on its limitations? He would definitely have been a modern Leica ambassador and therefore would have embraced digital wholeheartedly, venturing out with an M11around his neck!
I think so too! I’d be interested in seeing that episode happen and I agree with many of your assumptions! Thanks so much for watching and sharing your thoughts Simon!
Watch out lady, film does not (perceptibly) impact environment.
I’m a film photographer myself so I’m not necessarily taking a turn against film but rather making a conscious and informative statement, it does, plenty of information out there, water, chemicals, exploration to obtain raw materials for film etc.
Would he have a YT channel? Also, would it be called Anselblad?
Yes 🙌
If a creator, as many of them have done, creates something that does not elevate the spirit, it is not art, it is something else. Perhaps to disagree with this statement is what you meant when you said it was "antiquated" or "gothic". As a student of metaphysics we know/believe that beauty is what elevates the spirit. Beauty is a transcendental, as is truth, and goodness. When something is created that elevates the spirit it is created in participation with the universal or transcendent beauty. Ansel Adams was correct then and correct now. Modernity, as much as it attempts to, does not change these universals, therefore it does not change the definition of art as that which elevates the spirit. Every creative act of expression is not art. That which deflates the spirit, is indeed an act of expression and a particular act of the creator, but it is not art and in doing so is not the act of an artist, although those who create such acts of expression may also create art, it is only then that they can properly be called an artist. I'm sure I will be labeled a "hater" for this, but we must understand that to disagree is not to hate. We are called upon to love, to tolerate, and to include, but those who unjustly label a person as a "hater" are not loving, tolerant, or inclusive. No one can call for "inclusivity" while at the same time excluding others. This is irrational.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Peter, I personally don’t disagree with his statement, I can why it can be considered old fashioned today but I wouldn’t necessarily disagree with Ansel, on the contrary. I think you made an excellent summary there! And I wouldn’t be worried about being labelled anything… labels have the fundament and meaning one wants to give them, so if someone reads your comment and labels you something it’s their issue not yours, their label not yours. We humans have a profound liking for labelling and calling names to things we can’t understand.
Thank you Tatiana, for your confidence and encouragement.
Nice video but pure speculation. I bet AA would be knee deep in photoshop and graphic design. Always fun to think about what ifs
Absolutely it’s good to speculate and explore the what ifs sometimes don’t you think ? :)
What an interesting and almost limitless question! Seems like there will be value in continuing this idea for yourself too, in finding new tools that work well with your style, and where you want it to go in the future. I think the same can be said for all the viewers too 🫡
Thank you Kevin! My exact thoughts, I wanted to see what we can learn from past methods and the discovery of new methods and how can that affect us as viewers / creators / artists. Thanks so much for watching! Hope you’re keeping well!
Ansel was very progrssive artist. He felt that a photograph as a piece of music should be rendered differently as time and artist changes. Near his final days he had an opportunity to look into the very first digital camera and digital image and per his statement he was very excited the the changes coming to photography with digital iages. As we all know he was a master of exposure, processing and printing to create the image his vision saw in the seen. He did not try to reproduce an image with straight exposures, processing and printing, he would create images the captured the power and majasty that he saw in the scene. I will add that as an old fart living in the SF Bay areaa, I spent alot of time listening to him speak and examining his images up close. He was an artist who used all of the tools of his art to create art and I have little patience for thoses who demand a photographer should not set up a photograph, does not use software to create the images their imagination sees in the scene. as with realism and astract in painting, there are equivalents in photography as long as the photographer is honest as to their intent and process. this was a great episode and the first of many I hope.
What a great comment, loved reading your thoughts and I appreciate them. You are right about the photographer being clear about their intention and the use of terms like realism and abstract! Thanks for watching and all the best to you :)