Ansel Adams

Ansel Adams was born in San Francisco in 1902. He became one of the most famous nature photographers in history. He took amazing black and white pictures of mountains, rivers, and trees. His photos helped protect wild places in America.

Love of Nature

When Ansel was 14, his parents took him to Yosemite National Park in California. They gave him a small camera, and he fell in love with taking pictures. He returned to Yosemite every year for the rest of his life. He practiced until he became a master photographer.

An old Kodak Brownie box camera, like the ones early photographers used.
An old Kodak Brownie box camera, like the ones early photographers used. (Imperial War Museum photographer / Wikimedia Commons)

Saving Wild Places

Ansel took beautiful photos of places like Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, and the Rocky Mountains. He used his pictures to show people how special these wild places were. He worked to get new national parks created. He helped teach Americans to love and protect nature.

Fun Facts

  • He was first trained as a piano player before becoming a photographer.
  • He was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1980.
  • A wild area in California is named the Ansel Adams Wilderness.

Did You Know?

Ansel Adams sometimes waited for hours or days to get the perfect light for a single photograph.