Product Description

Introduction by John Szarkowski Essay by James AlinderIn the last years of his life Ansel Adams selected the seventy-five images that he believed represented the finest examples ofthe quality and breadth of his artistic legacy. Those images he designated for exhibition throughout the country as "The Museum Set" and published in this essential volume:Classic Images.Classic Imagesincludes many of Adams' most famous and best-loved photographs and encompasses the full scope of his work: elegant details of nature, architectural studies, portraits, and the breathtaking landscapes for which he is revered. The latter range from his beloved Yosemite to the Pacific Coast, the Southwest, Alaska, Hawaii, and the Northwest.The portfolio is preceded by an eloquent introduction by John Szarkowski, former Director of the Department of Photography at New York's Museum of Modern Art. An authoritative biographical essay- and a detailed chronology - by James Alinder further establish Classic Imagesas required reading for a full understanding of Adams' development as apre-eminent American artist.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #309942 in Books
• Published on: 1986-10-30
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 111 pages

From Publishers Weekly
These classic photographs were selected by the late Ansel Adams himself to be permanently representative of his work. Included are familiar scenic compositions like Moonrise, Hernandez and Half Dome, Yosemite, but there are also portraiture and closeups of patterns in nature. Alinder, director of Friends of Photography, chronicles Adams's life and describes his particular development in which perception of subtle tonalities came to define the photographer's vision. He tells also of great technical achievements (such as the "zone system" for exposure and printing) and this master photographer's related sensibilities as a classical musician and ardent nature conservationist. Museum of Modern Art curator Szarkowski appraises the impact Adams had on America's appreciation of itself. BOMC and Photography Book Club selections.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author
Ansel Adams was the most honored American photographer of the 20th century. Renowned for his photographs of the natural world, he worked throughout Americas national parks and wilderness areas.

Customer Reviews

Gave it as a gift
I gave it as a gift to a friend of mine who loves nature photography. He loved it.

Nice Reproductions
Ansel Adams: Classic Images

This book provides high quality representations of Ansel Adams' photography in examples of 75 of his best images. The text, written by James Alinder along with a preface by John Szarkowski, portrays the story of Adams' life and his philosophy regarding art and existence. The text starts the reader off at his birth and takes you through Adams' childhood and the decisions he makes as he searches for an outlet for his creativity and a strong career path. Having also been a professional pianist, Adams' later discovers his passion for photography and nature, and spends the rest of his life a successful artist and activist.
This book takes you through major events in his life and references prints in the book to give visual examples of his ever-evolving photographic style. I would definitely recommend this book, if not as a successful biography, but as a stage for some beautiful, high quality reproductions of Adams' work.

A fantastic Collection
This collection can be seen at the Center for Creative Photography in Tucson, Arizona, through July 7, 2002. This book is the catalogue of the exibition! If you like the book you should see the originals! They will blow you away.