Could Ansel Adams do it all?

It has been pretty quiet out here lately. So I thought I would post some questions. I was wondering when I photographed some flowers in my yard, why they never turn out like I would like them to look. Now, I know if I cut them and light them in the studio I might be able to do a better job. I also know when I shoot some things, I get excited how they look.

My question is, can you do it all well? Could Ansel shoot people as well as Imogen Cunningham?

Do you have a subject you excel at shooting? Do you experiment with other subjects?

Here are some images from my garden today. I guess it is practice, practice and more......

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Hi Peggysue,

I studied Ansel's style back in the 60's and living in Florida at the time I always yearned to travel out west to try my hand at capturing images like his.

It wasn't until 20 years later that I made it to Jackson Hole and Yellowstone and it was then that I understood his love for nature.

I've carried that love for nature since, and when I'm out shooting I'm always
prepared to get an image if it's there.

Last weekend I went up to Roan Mountain, TN to see the annual bloom of the Rhododendron.

This image was taken with my 50-300mm nikon.
The Park Rangers don't allow you to move off of the walkway at the area
where you can see the beautiful view, so you have to improvise to get the image that you want. This is a close up of some of the blooms.


With a single shot from the viewing area, you can get a shot like this.


I wanted something different, so without leaving the walkway, I laid down
on the edge of the deck and was able to get below the hand rail etc.
This is a stitch of 6 images composed vertically and hand held.

Of course if Ansel would have been there, he would have had his 8x10 view camera ready.

Dale

Wow, how wonderful to view such beauty. Which of the images do you like the most? Did your images match your impression of the experience?

Hi Peggysue,

The panoramic is my favorite, but I have a lot of work to do on it before I
take it to print etc.

I would have preferred to set up with my tripod, lock my mirror and use a
remote cable to get the best quality image but there were other people walking on the walkway and the vibration of the decking wouldn't have let me work that way. I also was on a time schedule and had to get back to work in an hour, so I was limited. I'll probably go back next year and make sure that I have plenty of time to spend there.
The experience was great, the air was so clean and clear and there were hundreds of bumble bees cruising the blooms for pollen.

I'll definitely return.

Dale

I would say that anyone who is an exceptional photographer in a certian area usually is a decent photographer in others....but it is a persons passion for their subject that usually drives that little somthing extra from their chosen niche.

I get asked to do weddings from time to time, and I agree somtimes to do the wedding with the understanding that they will get good pictures....just not amazing pictures (and I charge less too...which is usually why they ask me) If you look in my gallery, I do get OK shots...just not OMG shots.

I am a landscape photographer...landscapes are my passion.

I have yet to meet a photographer that excels in every arena of photography.

Roman

interesting question. I think it depends on their skills. I think if they know light and know their subjects they can do well shooting anything. Capturing the image in the right light with the right compositions is important but even ansel adams would have told you that image production is a process and that the post production process is critical. little in that regard has changed today.

According to his books, AA had an idea of what he wanted a shot to look like and he usually spent a great deal of time in the lab making it look that way.

I think with today's technology average photographers with the proper training and skills can look like great ones.. . .

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I think with today's technology average photographers with the proper training and skills can look like great ones.. . .

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Then, how do the truly great ones look?