El Capitan Fall, Yosemite National Park, California c. 1940 - 1981

Ansel Adams, a renowned American photographer, captured the majestic El Capitan in Yosemite National Park in this striking black and white photograph, "El Capitan Fall, Yosemite National Park, California," circa 1940 - 1981. The dramatic composition showcases the sheer granite face of the iconic rock formation, with a cascading waterfall transformed into ethereal wisps of mist by the wind. Adams' signature style, known for its clarity and dramatic contrast, highlights the raw beauty of the natural world, and this image is a quintessential example of his mastery of landscape photography.