Canyon de Chelly 1941

Ansel Adams made this photograph of Canyon de Chelly using a large format camera and black and white film, a process that emphasizes precision and control. While photography is often seen as a modern, mechanical art, Adams treated it with the meticulous care of a traditional craft. Every step, from composing the shot to developing the negative and making the print, involved skilled handwork. Adams was renowned for his darkroom techniques, manipulating light and shadow to achieve dramatic effects and textures. Notice the intricate patterns of the rock formations and the subtle gradations of light across the landscape. Adams' approach elevates photography beyond mere documentation, transforming it into a crafted object, imbued with artistic intention. This challenges the traditional hierarchy between art and craft, inviting us to appreciate the artistry inherent in the photographic process.