2006-09-06 19:09:35 · 6 answers · asked by Otto 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Photography
From first hand accounts, according to David Bayles an ex photo teacher of mine who had been Ansel Adams assistant for many years, Ansel used a wide variety of film and equiptment. To begin he wasn't one to shy away from experimenting, so as his notoriety grew,manufacturers would voluntarily send him various film, chemicals, equiptment to test and use. In terms of cameras, he would use a large format field camera 4x5, 8x10 and larger. There were various reasons for this. To begin large format cameras provide a wide variety of movements so as to deal wtih things like parallax, as well as they have better tonality,and detail especially when utilizing F 64 aperture. He typically used fine grain film, typically an ISO of no more that 100. Also because large format cameras utilize sheet film, he could use his technique of previsualization called the zone system. If you know anything about the zone system you know that basically the zone system wouldnt be practical if you used roll film.
In terms of what is available today as far as equiptment is concerned I would suggest looking at Toyo, Sinar, or if your budget permits Deardorf cameras. As far as lenses Nikor, Schneider are fairly decent. Film is sort of up in the air depending on how you are printing. There are still lots of film available in 4x5 and 8x10. You should read up on them from the manufacturers website, each film does different things. If you want to get a view camera go to keh.com and buy a used one, it is the best way to start off, before that pick up a book on the zone system of photography.
2006-09-06 19:56:46 · answer #1 · answered by wackywallwalker 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Most, but not all, of Ansel Adams images were made with 8x10 to 16x20 view cameras. He typically made contact prints from his negatives and not enlargements. Therefore, there was none of the image degradation associated with enlarging negatives, with most of his work. He also typically worked with very slow speed films (in the exposure index range of 25 to 50), and was the originator of "the Zone System" of exposing and processing film.
2006-09-07 10:44:02 · answer #2 · answered by viclioce 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
His early work was done with an 8x10 view camera. As time passed, he used a variety of cameras - 4x5 view cameras, Hassleblads, 35mm (he called them 'miniature'), and Polaroid. I'm sure that if he were alive today, he would at least be experimenting with digital though he likely would not be a major fan. The camera in the picture is a 'Blad.
2016-03-17 01:43:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He uses large format cameras, one of them was 11x14 and his spare one 8x10 in his later days he posed with 35mm cameras for advertising purposes of some brands.
He uses B&W film with different filters, deep yellows and reds.
Sometimes he stays in the same place for hours, waiting for the light to be wright, the he snap it in a couple of seconds and pack back.
2006-09-07 07:47:22 · answer #4 · answered by bigonegrande 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think he used 35mm film. that's generally what the majority of the famous photgraphers used. but i can ask my photo teacher. she learned printing from ansel adams printer. i do know that he used Oriental brand photo paper.
2006-09-06 19:35:36 · answer #5 · answered by drummrgrl86 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
he used a 8 x 10 bellows type view camera with single 8 x 10 B&W negatives.
2006-09-07 04:48:53 · answer #6 · answered by Marty G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋