Ansel Adams Photographer, Artist & Activist
Back in the day, Ansel’s fellow photographer and friend Edward Weston lived a few hours south of San Francisco, in Carmel, and Ansel often drove down the coast to visit him and his wife, Charis. On one visit he recalled, “I told Charis I was looking for a place to make a really good photograph of Edward. She said there was a big eucalyptus tree nearby that he liked.” Earlier that year Edward had photographed the tree’s “exciting roots.” When Ansel eventually moved to Carmel many years later, he built a home not far from it. In ‘Examples: The Making of 40 Photographs,’ he wrote, “At first I was not satisfied with the location and I began to explore nearby. Edward sat down at the base of the tree to await my decision.” After initially gravitating towards the picket fence, Ansel “suddenly saw the inevitable image. . . . The relatively small figure at the base of the huge tree, the convoluted roots, and the beautiful quiet light” of a foggy coastal day. “I pleaded, ‘Edward please just keep sitting there.’ I was very excited and fumbled my meter, dropped my focusing cloth and inadvertently kicked the tripod leg. Edward was amused and relaxed.” Image 1: ‘Edward Weston, Carmel Highlands, California,’ 1945. Photograph by Ansel Adams. ©️The Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust Image 2: ‘Eucalyptus Tree and Roots, Carmel Highlands, California,’ 1945. Photograph by Edward Weston © 1981 Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona, Arizona Board of Regents
1 days ago
One of the photographs that @anseladams made that provided me with the path I’ve followed as a photographer: beautiful subject/background with the collaboration of a creative human. I hadn’t seen Weston’s photo before, but it must have been made close in time to Ansel’s if you compare the light and the placement of the leaves near the roots. But admitting bias, I love the portrait by Ansel best. ❤️
1 days ago
Dois grandes mestres!👏👏👏👏👏
1 days ago
❤️
1 days ago
I’ve always loved that photo of Weston. It looks like it could have been taken yesterday, while still being timeless. Two masters of the game!
1 days ago
How old is/was this tree??? Amazing…love the back-story: it makes these posts /photos feel “present”..not in the past. It really wasn’t that long ago, and both AA and EW are with us still. A moment in time, captured as a gift to us all, though they might not have even imagined. Thank you💜🫂🤍
1 days ago
Group f64 🙌🏼🙌🏼
1 days ago
Always bringing to another world, right here at home.
1 days ago
❤️
1 days ago
❤️
1 days ago
Met Charis at UCSC around 1980
1 days ago
What an experience…and a fabulous image. They knew exactly what they were seeing, each from his position. There was no urgency in this creation.
1 days ago
Just such a beautiful photo
1 days ago
👏👏👏
20 hours ago
The Teacher 👏
1 days ago
🔥🔥🔥
Ansel Adams Photographer, Artist & Activist
Back in the day, Ansel’s fellow photographer and friend Edward Weston lived a few hours south of San Francisco, in Carmel, and Ansel often drove down the coast to visit him and his wife, Charis. On one visit he recalled, “I told Charis I was looking for a place to make a really good photograph of Edward. She said there was a big eucalyptus tree nearby that he liked.” Earlier that year Edward had photographed the tree’s “exciting roots.” When Ansel eventually moved to Carmel many years later, he built a home not far from it. In ‘Examples: The Making of 40 Photographs,’ he wrote, “At first I was not satisfied with the location and I began to explore nearby. Edward sat down at the base of the tree to await my decision.” After initially gravitating towards the picket fence, Ansel “suddenly saw the inevitable image. . . . The relatively small figure at the base of the huge tree, the convoluted roots, and the beautiful quiet light” of a foggy coastal day. “I pleaded, ‘Edward please just keep sitting there.’ I was very excited and fumbled my meter, dropped my focusing cloth and inadvertently kicked the tripod leg. Edward was amused and relaxed.” Image 1: ‘Edward Weston, Carmel Highlands, California,’ 1945. Photograph by Ansel Adams. ©️The Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust Image 2: ‘Eucalyptus Tree and Roots, Carmel Highlands, California,’ 1945. Photograph by Edward Weston © 1981 Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona, Arizona Board of Regents