Cindy and I went yesterday to see the Ansel Adams exhibit at the Columbia Museum of Art on the last day of the show. Even though the exhibit was pretty crowded with others enjoying the free admission, it was wonderful getting some of his most famous prints in person.
Two things that really stood out to me were:
1) How much more impressive they are in person in larger-sizes and also being there in person. Books really do not do justice to the quality of contrast which Adams was able to acheive in his photos. This was due to his zone system of photography which is explained by him in his books.
2) How much his style changed over the years, while still having the "Adams" flavor. Some of the later photos exhbited became more statements of "art" than landscape photographs. This is because of Adams' life long pursuit to make photographs be seen as artistic not only as reporting facts.
I'd recommend that any photographer, or lover of art who gets a chance to see Adams work in person take that opprotunity, you will not regret it.
