Customer Reviews

Ansel Adams 2006 Wall Calendar

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Ansel Adams remains, without question, the greatest modern master of the American landscape photograph. The only reason that I include the word "modern" in that sentence is because there were other photographers that came before Ansel whose mastery will never be usurped: Timothy O'Sullivan (1840-1882), William Henry Jackson (1843-1942) and Charles L. Weed (1824-1903). There is no doubt that Adams would give equal credit to those amazing pioneers. I'm sure he would also acknowledge other modern masters, including the almost forgotten Laura Gilpin (1891-1979), perhaps the greatest woman landscape shooter ever.

But Adams remains unequalled in the modern American landscape. In fact, he is so far distant from the rest of the pack that it's hard to think of anyone to compare him to other than, perhaps, Edward Weston. There are lots of fantastic nature photographers out there, no doubt, but when it comes to the pure landscape, Adams has a lock.

Also, Adams contributions to the teaching of photo technqiue have given him a second realm of fame for a whole generation of photographers. How-to photo writers (including myself) look to Adams' books as the model to follow. Because of his humanity, his endless generous sharing of knowledge and his encouraging writing, Adams' books remain the best how-to literature in the history of photography. If only Adams had lived to spend time with digital cameras, we would certainly have been gifted with another great volume on their use, I'm sure (in his autobiography, in fact, he talks about future generations of printers using scanners to create digital versions of his own negatives).

As a writer of more than a dozen how-to books, I often turn to Adams' work (both his writings and his photos) for ideas and inspiration. Which brings us to his caldendars: It would be impossible for me to think of having a writing or photo office without an Adams calendar on the wall. I don't always agree with the photos that are chosen for the annual wall calendar, but the fact is, Adams never published a bad photograph (or even a mediocre one as far as I'm concerned), so whether I like each one or not is not that important--I always learn something from them.

Ansel Adams photos are as good as contemporary landscape photography gets. And while I'm afraid that because he worked in black and white more than in color (though he was an excellent color photographer) his work might seem dated to a lot of photo students today, it's not. I never grow tired of looking at this work and it always seems fresh to me--and that in itself is quite amazing.

If you're a photo student or just love the look of the black and white American landscape, these caldenars will always provide good company. The problem is that the photos are so nice I have trouble throwing them away at the end of the year--and they take up a lot of room! :)

I don't know if another photographer will ever come along and achieve the fame that Adams achieved, but if one does, he or she will have surely studied the photography and writing of Ansel Adams for a long, long time.

Jeff Wignall
Author, The Joy of Digital Photography (Lark Books)

Amazon.com does things right. The calendar arrived ahead of schedule, the day before 2006, just like I like. It was packaged superiorly, absolutely pristine. The calendar is beautiful and I appreciate Amazon's service.
Happy New Year,
Josh

Gorgeous beyond words! But make these calendars cheaper, so more people can get access to these exquisite photos. We certainly need more beauty in this world!

What can be said about the beauty of Ansel Adams work that has not already been said? The calendar will highlight any wall and make any room glisten. Great price too!

I have had Ansel Adam calendars for sometime now. They are always interesting and high quality. The prints used never let me down.

My family likes this calendar so much -- we have been using it regularly since 2001. Congratulations to Amazon for making the purchase of this calendar so easy from any part of the world! Guido Milanese, PhD, Genoa, Italy

He is one of the best American photographers. The pictures in this calender reflect his choice of the pictures he wanted shared with us. I am looking at it right now as I write this review and the breaking waves are soo beautiful

Marilou Fallis

I have purchased these calendars every year for more than ten years. The quality of the paper, the design of the date page (adrquate space to write notes), and the excellent reproduction of Adam's photographs have encouraged my loyalty. The basic black and white simplicity fits my decor perfectly but the real clincher is the addition of the month of January of the following year (i.e. 2006 has January 2007 included). This bonus often means (if you have the courage to wait it out) you can get your calendar on sale after the beginning of the year.

Being a reasonably good to exceptional photographer (landscape -- color) I am always amazed at the masters of black and white. Plenty of room for me to write multiple appointments in each day, useful previous and next month calendars on each page -- and always a second January so you can get the calendar in January when it often goes on sale and you need not be without a calendar. I mean, what CAN you say about a calendar? - the photos are amazing? Most calendars have good photos - but these are - well, qualitatively in a different world from most others. I seldom tire of a photo before the end of a month - and often wistfully turn to the next photo because I've loved the one I've seen so long - it's becoming a good old friend whom I have only begun to appreciate -- ha! As if 30-31 days was long compared to nearly anything! But I've fallen in love with the Ansel Adams Calendars and wince when my truly best friend gives me one of her carefully chosen-carefully-with-true-love-calendars. I've never found a solution to that problem. But I still order this calendar. Every year for - well, a long, long time! ten plus years or much longer -- And keep a copy at home, in my office, and in my cabin as my main calendar. The chosen with love one? Well it's always nice to have one in the kitchen somewhere!

I love the pictures and haven't gotten tired of looking at them.