Ansel Adams

Ansel Adams was a celebrated American photographer and a passionate environmentalist, best known for his stunning, sharp black-and-white landscape images of the American West, particularly Yosemite National Park.
Adams remained a lifelong advocate for the conservation of wilderness areas, using his powerful images as a form of activism.
Adams co-founded Group f/64 in 1932 to promote “pure” or “straight” photography, emphasizing sharp focus and the use of the full tonal range. He also developed the intricate “Zone System” to achieve precise control over exposure and development.
Throughout his career, Adams published numerous books, founded the first academic department for photography at the California School of Fine Arts, and helped establish the photography department at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. In recognition of his work, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1980. His legacy endures through his iconic photographs and the Ansel Adams Wilderness area, named in his honor after his death.