A photograph is usually looked at—seldom looked into.

About Ansel Adams

Portrait of Ansel Adams

Ansel Easton Adams (February 20, 1902 – April 22, 1984) was an American landscape photographer and environmentalist known for his black-and-white images of the American West. He helped found Group f/64, an association of photographers advocating "pure" photography which favored sharp focus and the use of the full tonal range...

More quotations from Ansel Adams

I have often thought that if photography were difficult in the true sense of the term—meaning that the creation of a simple photograph would entail as much time and effort as the production of a good watercolor or etching—there would be a vast improvement in total output. The sheer ease with which we can produce a superficial image often leads to creative disaster.

To the complaint, 'There are no people in these photographs,' I respond, 'There are always two people: the photographer and the viewer.

You don't take a photograph, you make it.

creation art seeing photographs

There is nothing worse than a sharp image of a fuzzy concept.

ideas explanation concepts

It is horrifying that we have to fight our government to save the environment.

government fight environment

History

13 Jul 2015 Added
26 Oct 2026 Wording changed

Previous wording

A photograph is usually looked at - seldom looked into.