The Camera (Ansel Adams Photography, Book 1) (Paperback)

~ (Author), Robert Baker (Contributor)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The Camera, together with The Negative and The Print, comprise The Ansel Adams Photography Series, a legendary triad of books about photographic technique that has become the most influential "how-to"series on photography ever written. The first edition of this series was completed in the 1950s. Adams completely revised and updated it just a few years before his death, making it his last word on the technical mastery of his medium. Three generations of photographers have learned how to approach the artistic possibilities of their art form through this seminal series. Now available in paperback, it remains as vital today as when it was first published.

The Camera covers 35 mm, medium format, and large-format view cameras and offers detailed advice on camera components such as lenses, shutters, and light meters. Adams' concepts of "visualization" and "image management" are the philosophical cornerstones of the book. Extensively illustrated with photographs by Adams as well as instructive line drawings, this classic manual belongs on every serious photographer's bookshelf

About the Author

Ansel Adams (1902-1984) was one of the great artists and environmentalists of the twentieth century. In a remarkable career spanning more than sixty years, he made over 40,000 photographs. Adams was a master teacher as well as a master photographer, believing that his approach to photography was universally applicable. From 1955 until 1984 he conducted annual photography workshops, first in Yosemite and later in Carmel. But his most important and lasting contribution to the artistic, practical, and technical aspects of black-and-white photography was through his legendary technical series (revised several times since the initial publication in the early 1950s): The Camera, The Negative, and The Print.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Ansel Adams; Tenth edition (June 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821221841
• ISBN-13: 978-0821221846
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #8,772 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

82 of 83 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Book for any Camera user, November 2, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Camera (New Ansel Adams Photography Series, Book 1) (Hardcover)

This is a book which is filled with both photographs and descriptions of the technique to create photographs. I took a hard-cover copy on a week long trip to photograph parts of Ireland, and was very glad to carry the book with me and read it. Ansel did use a view camera for many of his most famous photos; I use medium and small format, myself. Even though Ansel used a view camera, with its associated movements, the book makes an effort to describe technique as it applies to small and medium format cameras. This effort reached its goal for me. I got a lot of enjoyment out of reading this book, and practical information, too. The basic, straight-forward clarity of the writing in this book would make it a good read for anyone with an interest in photographic technique, from rank beginner to seasoned pro.

One technique I enhanced from this book was the use of a high camera position. Ansel took many of his photos from a tripod which was mounted on the roof of his station wagon. One of the benefits of such a location is the "semi-helicopter" look to the photos. The foliage is more interesting from this height, and the viewer can see more than he would be able to from ground level.

69 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wanna learn to take pictures, start here., October 5, 1996

By A Customer

Einstein wrote a book for lay people to explain the theory of relativity. I've read it twice, and I still don't know what Albert's talking about. Ansel Adams wrote three books on photography, The Camera, The Negative, and The Print, for lay people to explain how to take good photographs. I've read 'em all, and at least I know what Ansel's talking about, even if I can't take photographs like his yet (gimme fifty years of practice). Whether you like Adams' style or not, in technique, he is to photography what Einstein is to physics: a single authoritative master who's work can be relied upon. Of the three books, _The Negative_ is the most important; but if you are just getting started, the Camera is where to begin.

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The ultimate book for purist photographers!, July 29, 1998

By A Customer

The Camera, book 1 of 3 in the Ansel Adams Photography Series, is well written with many illustrations of the subjects in each chapter. It also includes many of Ansel's own photo's as examples. The chapters are written for the the novice as well as for the journeyman who want to refresh one's memory on the basics. The latter chapters get more involved with technical information. Book 2 and 3, "The Negative" and " The Print" are eqully well written with an introduction to Ansel's own Zone system. A must read for serious photographers or the novice interested in advanced techniques and/ or terminology. Ansel will go down in history not only as a great photographer but teacher and writer as well. I highly recommend this series to anyone interested in taking better pictures.