Adams, Ansel (1902-1984), was an American photographer known for his dramatic photographs of the West. He took large pictures of landscapes that include mountains, forests, and rivers. Adams’ interest in preserving wilderness areas also led him to become active in the conservation movement.
Adams was a leading supporter of straight photography, a style featuring detailed, focused photos that portray subjects simply and directly. In 1932, he and six other photographers formed a group that promoted this style of photography.
In 1940, Adams helped found the Department of Photography at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. In 1946, he established a photography department at the California School of Fine Arts (later the San Francisco Art Institute). This department was the first of its kind at a college in the United States. Adams also wrote a series of books on photography. He was born on Feb. 20, 1902, in San Francisco. He died on April 22, 1984.
