Ansel Adams: A Biography
Category: Books,Biographies & Memoirs,Arts & Literature
Ansel Adams: A Biography Details
Review "A loving, minutely researched portrait of the photographer that acknowledges his humanity while confirming his enormous artistic contribution."-Los Angeles Times"Alinder writes like the close and discerning friend that she was...and provides a clear and endearing portrait of the mercurial artist."-San Francisco Chronicle Read more About the Author Mary Street Alinder worked for the Ansel Adams Publishing Trust for several years and co-authored Ansel Adams's autobiography, which was published in 1985. She lives in Gualala, California. Read more
Reviews
I have read at least 20 books on Ansel Adams for various lectures I have given at significant museums (I am a 30+ year photographic scholar, photographer, photo professor.) including Ansel's autobiography and many editions of books that discuss his work. By far, hands down, this is the most significant and well written book out there. Actually much better than his autobiography (Which Mary helped him to organize and write), this book is neither gossipy or lightly researched. It is factual, in depth research, looking at the person, not the superstar that we all think of Ansel as being. His work is important in the history of photography for many reasons, all of which are talked about in depth here. (It is not a technical book on photography- if you want that, read the 3 book series that Ansel wrote on the camera, the negative and the print.) I loved the candid nature of her writing, as well as the honest accounts of what life was like with Ansel, as a friend and as an employee. If you want to know about the real person named Ansel Adams, downfalls and successes, this is the book to read.