Student Photography Gallery in the style of
Ansel Adams
November 2020
Ansel Adams
November 2020
Thursday Nov. 5, 2020. Watch Ansel Adams video:
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xw5_qb71bXs
In your sketchbook, define 2 terms:
1. Visualization
2. Tonal Balance ("The Zone System")
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xw5_qb71bXs
In your sketchbook, define 2 terms:
1. Visualization
2. Tonal Balance ("The Zone System")
The next time you see a subject or scene that appeals to you, ask yourself why you responded to it. What appeals to you about the scene? What feeling or mood do you want the photograph to convey? Answering those questions should help you develop a clearer idea of how you want the final image to look. And that visualization can guide each decision in the photographic process—the camera position, what to include and exclude in the composition, the camera settings and how to process the image.
VISUALIZATION &
TONAL BALANCE
("The Zone System")
VISUALIZATION &
TONAL BALANCE
("The Zone System")
Week of November 2 - November 8, 2020
HOMEWORK: Email to [email protected] your top 3 photographs you take in the style of the Ansel Adams black and white landscapes as seen below.
DUE: 11/8/2020 REQUIRED
HOMEWORK: Email to [email protected] your top 3 photographs you take in the style of the Ansel Adams black and white landscapes as seen below.
DUE: 11/8/2020 REQUIRED
SPACE is divided into positive space (the shape of the subject of the photo) and negative space (the space between and around the subject of the photo).
Of course we naturally look at the positive space when we look at the subject of our photos (the flower to the right), but we need to remind ourselves that as artists we should also observe the shapes that are made in the negative space in between and around the subjects (the black areas around and in between the flowers in the photo on the right). |
Ansel Adams is most well known for his black and white landscape photos.
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Sometimes it seems like such a simple and obvious element, that we find it almost difficult to find the negative space in an artwork. Look at these Ansel Adams photos below and pay close attention to the space around and in between the subject of the photos; the negative space is as visually important as the positive space.
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When you are attempting to take your own black and white landscape photos in the style of Ansel Adams, notice where the horizon line is placed in the photo. The horizon line is the line that separates the sky from the ground. In some instances, the horizon line is implied and not actually visible (see photo #4 below in the cityscape where the horizon line is not clearly visible, but the viewer knows that the sky meets the ground at the vanishing point).
Remember to consider the use of line in photography, as in these Ansel Adams photos below:
Also consider the element of shape when composing an Ansel Adams type of landscape. Because he is known for his photos of nature, most of the shapes in his photos are organic shapes.
We also know that texture is important in black and white photography because it shows how something feels or looks like it feels with a variety of line and value.
Notice the contrasting textures in the Ansel Adams photos below:
Notice the contrasting textures in the Ansel Adams photos below:
Pattern is a design principle that works well in photography when a shape is repeated as in the Ansel Adams photos below:
A variety of light tints and dark shades shows VALUE and is one of the most important art elements to notice when creating a black and white photo. On a value scale of tones of grays from white to black, count how many values or tints and shades of gray are in these Ansel Adams landscape photos below:
When a landscape photo catches your eye, it is most likely the line, shape, pattern, texture, contrast and variety of values that are working to grab your attention. When taking your own black and white landscapes in the style of Ansel Adams, consider unobstructed views of nature and, if possible, areas where there are opportunities for reflections such as near a body of water.
Look for as many of these elements as possible to create your own successful black and white landscape photos in the style of one of the most famous photographers in the world:
Ansel Adams.
Ansel Adams.