Ansel Adams

Ansel Adams likened his process to music saying "The negative is the score. The print is the performance." After being in love with his work for more than 8 years, yesterday was the first time I got to see an original performance by Ansel himself, and it was nothing short of spectacular.Any artist will tell you, you must see an Ansel Adams print first hand. Even though I've seen the Ansel Adams PBS Documentary 15 times and I have poured over his images online countless times before, I was blown away. I mean literally standing there with my mouth open.There is something to be said about the quality of his prints. Each one is unique and handmade by him, so rich and full of life. They not only give that immediate "wow factor", but they clearly stand the test of time. Even with today's 50 megapixel cameras, the digital darkroom, and new printing technology, there is no comparison. In my monthly subscription to Outdoor Photographer, the name "Ansel Adams" is on regularly on the cover. Keep in mind, he died in 1984.In high school I found myself visiting my principals office on a regular basis. Not because I was in trouble, but because above her desk were several large Ansel Adams posters (she is also an amazing principal). Today, I have three of my own black and white images in a custom frame next to those posters. While they don't compare to Yosemite National Park in a winter snow storm, they represent my earliest success in nature photography, and the impact Ansel still has on me today.His images will be on display at the Florida Musuem of Photographic Arts in downtown Tampa until July 6th.(This image was made in August 2005)