Ansel Adams' Yosemite: The Art of Seeing

Overview

“Chance favors the prepared mind” was one of Ansel Adams’ favorite expressions and a concept that allowed him to so successfully achieve his artistic vision.

The secret to creating your own expressive image, one that communicates your artistic vision, is not in the tools or technology you use. It’s in knowing how to “see” with intention and having the skills to capture and interpret what you see to make it your own. It’s being prepared, like Ansel, so you’re ready for that magical moment when light, beauty and chance define opportunity.

Alan Ross brings to every workshop he leads his intimate familiarity with Adams’ approach and technique, and years of photographing and teaching. 

In this inspirational and hands-on session, held each spring, the emphasis is on composition and exposure in the field. Alan will help you connect Ansel’s approach and mastery with your own photographic vision and skills so that you are prepared to successfully express that vision. 

SPRING 2025 - May 6-10
This workshop is scheduled at the traditional peak of the dogwood blossom season, and the waterfalls are in full flood. In early May, depending on the snow year, the meadows are usually starting to have new growth. The afternoons can have wonderful cloud build up to provide spectacular image-making opportunities. 

Workshop Details

Note: digital photographers will be encouraged to use manual mode in this workshop.

Under the patient and expert guidance of former Adams’ assistant, Alan Ross, you will practice translating the reality in front of your lens to what’s in your mind’s eye. You will learn how to get the right information onto film or pixels to achieve a tonally rich, fine print. You will learn how to go beyond the snapshot to create an image that shares a feeling or reaction or tells a story.

Visits to some of Ansel’s favorite places in Yosemite will provide inspiration and subject matter, with demonstrations, field sessions and daily image review laying the foundation for individual photographic advancement.

Among the topics covered during your week:

• The importance of intention in expressive photography
• Evaluating a scene and finding its essence
• Organizing your composition
• Creating your image structure
• Choosing the right lens
• Nailing your exposure
• “Useful” vs “perfect” when it comes to capture or negative
• Post processing tips and techniques to take your image from “meh” to “wow” (or using Photoshop and Lightroom to explore darkroom effects for those working in film)
• Bringing your image to life on paper

Evenings will be spent on individual help and support, image reviews, printing or post-processing demonstrations, film processing for those working in silver, and photographic conversation and discussion.

By the end of the workshop, you will have a better idea of the tools and technique you need to respond to your vision with confidence.

About the Instructor

Alan Ross is a master photographer who worked side-by-side with Ansel Adams as his photographic assistant, in the field and in the darkroom, and who knows Ansel’s approach and technique perhaps better than other any photographer today. He was personally selected by Ansel to be the exclusive printer of the Yosemite Special Edition Photographs and expects to make his 100,000th print sometime soon. Alan specializes in helping photographers at any level identify and better express their photographic vision and has led workshops in locations ranging from the scenic Southwest to the mountains of China. His photographs hang in collections and galleries around the world and have been featured in campaigns for companies like Boeing, Nike, IBM and the National Park Service.

Workshop FAQ

Find answers to your questions about our Photography Workshops in our FAQ. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you need additional help. You can reach us by email at photoed@anseladams.com or by phone (650) 692-3495. 

Experience

What to Expect

Getting Here / Getting Around

Equipment

Clothing / Dressing for the Elements

Registering for a workshop

Accommodations

Meals

Related Logistics

Physical Limitations Statement

This workshop may involve some walking and hiking around uneven, hilly, and rocky locations that may present a challenge to some attendees. The gallery workshop team requests your individual judgment to abstain from workshop activities that may be beyond your capabilities. 

Although the workshop instructors will try to accommodate all attendees, please be advised that the gallery relies on your abstinence should you feel that a site location may not be safe for you.

Cancellation Policy

The Ansel Adams Gallery Multiple Day Workshop Cancellation Policy: We rely on your confirmed attendance to make important arrangements for the workshop. If you need to cancel, please inform a gallery representative in writing no fewer than 60 days prior to the first day of your scheduled workshop for a partial refund of your tuition that reflects the 10% non-refundable administration charge. Refunds cannot be made for cancellations initiated within 60 days of the first day of the scheduled workshop, or for no-shows, for any reason.

If you are concerned with the possibility of cancellation, please consider purchasing travel insurance.

Workshop registration is NOT transferable.

In the extremely rare event that The Ansel Adams Gallery needs to cancel a workshop, the gallery will refund your full tuition. However, The Ansel Adams Gallery will not be responsible for non-refundable airline tickets, car rentals charges, lodging reservations, or any other expense outside of the workshop tuition.

Lodging reservations made through Yosemite Hospitality - Aramark are fully refundable 14 days in advance of the scheduled first day of check in.

It is recommended not to purchase airline tickets or make non-refundable deposits on lodging that cannot be canceled 14 days prior to the initiation of the workshop event.

The Ansel Adams Gallery highly recommends travel insurance to help with an unfortunate travel event.

This pre-workshop information may be emailed to the education coordinator at photoed@anseladams.com.