Ansel Adams "Rose And Drift Wood"

Ansel Adams, a photographer born in San Francisco in 1902, is now one of the most appreciated photographers today. Adams however began his young life as a musician, playing the piano. However, that all changed when he was 14 years old and convinced his parents to take a family vacation to Yosemite National Park. It was then that his parents gave him his first box Brownie camera, and he took his first pictures. He also discovered his love for nature and especially photographing it. He became very well known for his photographic talent and in 1932, Adams along with Imogen Cunningham, Willard Van Dyke, Edward Weston, and other advocates of pure photography, founded the Group f/64 in which they all became respected as naturalists. "Rose and Driftwood," one of Ansel Adams' well known pieces of art, expresses his love for nature as well as simplicity. What makes this print truly beautiful is the high contrast and large depth of field that Adams combined to draw the viewer in.

The image "Rose and Driftwood" was photographed in 1932 in Adams' San Francisco home. His mother had picked him a beautiful pale pink rose from their garden. Adams immediately noticed the rose's beauty, and proceeded to think of a suitable background for a good composition. Adam's tried bowls, pillows, stacked books, everything he could think of but was unsuccessful. Adams then remembered he had this old weathered piece of wave-worn driftwood he found at a nearby beach. After finding his background, Adams knew just where to place his scene so as to achieve adequate light. Providing beautiful illumination, the north-light window in Adams' house would be perfect for the translucent petals of the rose. Adams took this picture using a 4X5-inch view camera and an 8-inch Zeiss Kodak Anastigmat lens. He also used Kodak film of a speed of ASA 50. He made 6 different exposures using different settings and bracketing. Adams came out with one successful image.