I've avoided doing a post about Ansel Adams the whole semester, because I have technically heard of him before. I know that he's one of, if not the, most important and influential photographers of all time. However, by avoiding him, I think I was doing myself a disservice by not exploring such an accomplished artist. And beyond that, his work covered much of the same scope of things I point my own camera at. So, with my mind on Yosemite still, it seems like a fitting time to list Ansel Adams.

He was born in San Francisco, in the early 20th century to a wealthy family, though they we're knocked down to near poverty at one point. He became very fascinated with nature at a young age, becoming a follower of Ralph Waldo Emerson's work and philosophy. Joining the Sierra Club while still a teenager.  In 1916 he was given his first camera while in Yosemite Valley, like Shawn Reeder would years later, and his affinity for the art grew from there. The effects of the valley.

He had a 60 year career, expanding many subjects and mediums, but his work of the mountains in the Sierra is what fascinates me the most.

http://www.anseladams.com/