Ansel Adams, a photograph begins as the visualization of the image.

Ansel Adams was an American landscape photographer born in 1902 California and for me one of the best photographers to learn from.

Ansel dedicated his entire life to his photography in such an extreem way that even his family had to be on a second place. He photographed mainly the American West in black and white, particularly Yosemite Park.

Ansel Adams pictures are today sold by Christies going from 14,000 USD till 98,000 USD.

Ansel received his first camera when he was fourteen during a vacation with his family at the Yosemite Park, since that day he returned to Yosemite Park every year of his life thereafter.

In 1932, Adams joined with several other photographers, including Edward Weston and Imogen Cunningham, to form a group called f/64. The group’s mission was to promote “pure” or “straight” photography. The name, f/64, was the camera aperture setting most in this group used to achieve greater sharpness and depth.

Ansel Adams inspired me to shoot the Liwa desert (Abu Dhabi - UAE) in black and white with the Mamiya film camera. I went to the Liwa desert over the last four years as many times I could during my weekends. 60% of my photos are analogue because I like the feeling film gives, the grain and unsharpness. Looking at a 35mm or medium format film, the process of developing B&W film at home and the final print on mat paper.

* Panorama shot with the Mamiya medium format film camera, here I used a prime 85mm.

The following are insightful quotes from Ansel Adams:

• I never know in advance precisely what I will photograph. I go out into the world and hope I will come across something that imperatively interests me. I am addicted to the found object.

• The visualization of a photograph involves the intuitive search for meaning, shape, form, texture, and the projection of the image-format on the subject. The image forms in the mind – is visualized – and another part of the mind calculates the physical processes involved in determining the exposure and development of the image of the negative and anticipates the qualities of the final print. The creative artist is constantly roving the worlds without, and creating new worlds within.

• A great photograph is one that fully expresses what one feels, in the deepest sense, about what is being photographed, and is, thereby, a true manifestation of what one feels about life in its entirety. This visual expression of feeling should be set forth in terms of a simple devotion to the medium. It should be a statement of the greatest clarity and perfection possible under the conditions of its creation and production.

• For me, a photograph begins as the visualization of the image, which represents the excitement and the perception of that moment and situation. The print represents excitement, perception, and expression (performance). Meaning is found in the final print and only in terms of the print itself. For me, this meaning may vary a little over time and circumstance. For the viewer, the meaning of the print is his meaning. If I try to impose mine by intruding descriptive titles, I insult the viewer, the print and myself.(note: printing your pictures is so important, don't keep your pictures on a digital device where it will disappear forever)
  

• My approach to photography is based on my belief in the vigor and values of the world of nature, in aspects of grandeur and minutiae all about us. I believe in people, in the simpler aspects of human life, in the relation of man to nature. I believe man must be free, both in spirit and society, that he must build strength into himself, affirming the enormous beauty of this world and acquiring the confidence to see and to express his vision. And I believe in photography as one means of expressing this affirmation and of achieving an ultimate happiness and faith.

*Liwa desert during sunrise medium format Ilford B&W film.