That Magnitude

IT WAS DURING THE HEIGHT OF LOCKDOWN THAT I DISCOVERED the works of Ansel Adams and what a timely discovery it was, naturally, for someone who has been confined indoors in the city. The majestic mountains and vast landscapes possess such grand scale, such power and freedom. You can't contain monuments of this magnitude.

Known for his black-and-white images of the American West, Ansel Easton Adams was dedicated to the environment in more ways than one. As a photographer, it served as his muse, captured in his preferred "pure" photographic style of sharp focus and full tonal ranges. As an environmentalist, he advocated for conservation, receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1980 for his efforts to expand the National Park system.

As an individual, various anecdotes portray Adams as a friendly, down-to-earth character. The Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite collects these accounts from everyday folk, giving a personal glimpse at the man behind the camera. Knowing about his good nature is endearing. It's lovely to behold beautiful things by nice people.

Moon and Half Dome, Point Sur, Storm, and Half Dome from Glacier Point by Ansel Adams. Images from anseladams.com