Sand Bar, Rio Grande, Big Bend National Park, Texas Possibly 1947 - 1980

This photograph by Ansel Adams captures the Rio Grande in Big Bend National Park, Texas, using a gelatin silver process. The key to understanding Adams' work is appreciating his darkroom technique. Every print was carefully calibrated, dodging and burning the image to perfection. But it's more than just technical virtuosity; it's about the sheer labour involved. The final print speaks to Adams's commitment to environmental conservation, reflecting a desire to preserve these natural resources in the face of industrial expansion. By elevating landscape photography to the level of fine art, Adams asks us to consider our relationship to the natural world, while also demanding that photography be taken seriously as a form of artistic craft.