There are two consummate photographers who take divergent approaches to the idea of social change. They both enjoy the same last name. The first is Ansell Adams. For those unfamiliar with this work a quick Google search will bring up multiple images of landscapes, and nature. His approach to the craft of capturing the spectacular was done with a large format camera that held incredible detail for exposures that were measured in seconds not fractions of seconds. Anyone that views his photographs can see why one of his favorite adjectives was sublime. His photographs are pure artistry, beautifully sublime capturing of light that is unparalleled in its scope.
One of his first in foremost goals was to share the incredible beauty of our national parks with those viewers in America that perhaps never had the opportunity to see these treasures in person. Ansell Adams was a dedicated conservationist who believed that the best way to preserve our beautiful American landscape was to show people exactly how valuable our natural resources truly are. He thought beyond the mining operations and the establishment of hydroelectric power and rather saw the value in just a pure, spiritual, aesthetic sense. He felt that the land, the trees, the mountains all had value in and of themselves and should not be viewed as merely just a provision of economic gain. He was also very consummate editorial writer. He wrote thousands of letters on behalf of causes such as stopping the building of dams which would destroy many thousands of acres of pristine wilderness. In short the methodology of Ansel was to capture brilliant and beautiful light and convince people that our viewing of national treasures should come above the economy of raw resources.
Another photographer by the name of Robert Adams who is still alive today has produced a magnificent canon of work which like Ansel Adams has the same desire to change the public perception of what we mean by advancement. Robert Adams took a totally different approach. He focused much of his photographic attention at the sprawling suburbs of Colorado in the 1970s. What he showed was the raw uncensored effects of man's encroachment upon nature. He was featured on the PBS program Art 21 and is very articulate with respect to his methodology. It was not uncommon for him to take photographs of clear cut forests that showed the incredible destructive effects that man can place upon the earth in the name of progress. His work is displayed and owned by multiple museums across the country. He is considered one of America's foremost photographers and many of his pictures that show this raping of the land are considered to be fine art. He has had many of his books printed by the renowned German publisher Steidl. When one sees Robert Adams photographs they have a very different emotional response than those who view Ansel Adams masterworks. Robert's photographs typically have more grain in them and show less differentiation in hues. He often likes to photograph scenes with the sun directly overhead to show its burning radiance, and instill feelings of stark loneliness. He was just as effective in getting us to think about the true cost that we are paying as a society for the destruction of our natural beauty. These two men had social causes that were very much aligned, yet the methodology that they used was very different. They both optimized artists that have a very sincere sense of value and desire to make a lasting impact upon society. View their work if you can, you will not be disappointed.