Ansel Adams

Ansel Adams was born in 1902 to Charles Hitchcock Adams. Spending much of his early childhood among sand dunes in a relatively rich setting due to a wealthy grandfather, Adams was surrounded in a lot of light and dark contrast at an early age. Unfortunately, his childhood was marred in tragedies involving a broke nose, his family suffering financially, and a general emotional disconnection from his parents. He had trouble fitting in at school as a result of this, and possessed a certain intensity in his character. He taught himself to play the piano at the age of twelve, and his love for music replaced normal schooling for him. He began taking photographs in 1927, and was married in 1928. Albert M. Bender, a patron of arts, took the photographer under his wing and made sure his photos were published. The 1930s saw him rapidly rise to fame, although his financial problems did not disappear with his popularity. He was particularly known for his technical mastery of the art of photography, more so than anyone at his time. He worked tirelessly taking photos of nature, of which he was actively involved in defending as an environmentalist.Adams is remembered as the last and arguably greatest artist of his kind as a 19th century landscape photographer. He died in 1984.