13 Apr
2011

WWAD (What Would Ansel Do)?

It’s a photography world in turmoil and chaos. New technologies and new attitudes have changed the rules so much, it’s often difficult to know which end is up. What is the bewildered photographer to do? Increasingly, guidance is found by asking a single question: What Would Ansel Do (WWAD)?

For example: need a new filter? What would Ansel buy? Perhaps a fancy new gold-n-blue polarizer that also adds rainbows to every one of your photographs. Or how about: which raw converter is best? What would Ansel use? As a man who likely never saw a desktop computer in his lifetime, Ansel nonetheless has the answer. And, by the way, he’s a PC. No wait—he’s definitely a Mac.

Here’s an answer to the WWAD question that you might not expect: who cares?

Now, I mean no disrespect to the great master. His influence on the art and craft of nature photography is undeniable. But photography isn’t religion, and Ansel wasn’t a prophet—even though he had the wild beard and piercing eyes for the part. As the old expression goes, he put his pants on one leg at a time, just like everybody else.

Yet for some reason, Ansel has become the arbiter of all questions in the nature photography world. Don’t know which image stabilization mode works best? Ansel has the answer. Aren’t sure whether to upgrade from your consumer lens to a pro lens? Ansel knows, just ask him. Can’t choose between Canon or Nikon, or can’t decide how much digital “enhancement” to add to an image? Ansel can tell you, although his answer may be different depending on who you ask.

My point is simple: when it comes to photography, we shouldn’t rely on anyone else to answer the big and small questions of our lives. We should have the courage to decide for ourselves. Our vision as artists, our reasons for shooting, our goals and aspirations as photographers—these are all intensely personal. We shouldn’t allow anyone—even someone as prominent as Ansel Adams—to make our choices for us.

I don’t know if Ansel would approve on an image like the one below, nor do I care. Ansel followed his own path. So do I. And, more to the point, so should you.

So let’s give Ansel a break. I think he’s earned it.

"Night Glow" - Joshua Tree National Park, California

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About Ian Plant (275 Posts)

Ian Plant's photographs and instructional articles have appeared in a number of books, calendars, and magazines, including Outdoor Photographer and Popular Photography. Ian writes a regular blog column for Outdoor Photographer online, and he is the author of numerous instructional eBooks and digital processing tutorials. Ian leads several photo tours each year.

Tags: ansel adams, joshua tree

15 Comments

Steve Cole April 13, 2011 at 11:06 am

AMEN!
Tim Parkin April 13, 2011 at 11:24 am

I think Ansel would have sent you a letter deriding your use of colour as mere cosmetic frippery and suggest you get a phase one achromatic back. An ongoing battle of wits would occur where Ansel would snub you at various events and suggest you ate babies when people asked. Ansel would then use his demonic powers to raise the dead, clothing each one in yellow waterproof macintoshes, ordering them to infest your every composition before bringing down lesser demons of Chthulu on you.. Ansel was so unpredictable.
roteague April 13, 2011 at 11:27 am

I’m sticking to Velvia, regardless of whether Ansel or anyone else likes it not.
Ian April 13, 2011 at 1:57 pm

“mere cosmetic frippery . . . would snub you at various events and suggest you ate babies . . . demonic powers . . . bringing down lesser demons of Chthulu on you”

Totally freakin’ awesome dude!
Mick Haensler April 13, 2011 at 3:03 pm

Careful dayuh missa Ean Plant…..some folks gonna say you a heretic….not me….but some folks…..
Brian Furbush April 13, 2011 at 3:08 pm

Great shot Ian – beautiful colors, and I think your insight is spot-on. Shoot how you like, when you like, and what you like…you are the artist, why try to simply just emulate another’s art?
Rebecca Andrew April 13, 2011 at 3:20 pm

In truth, the myriad of choices is almost overwhelming. One thing I have learned is to never say never.

Currently I lean towards being a “purist” trying to get the shot so it requires as little post production adjustment possible. That well may change. (Eons ago I used to believe one should grind and mix their own pigments for painting!)

At one time mainstream sculptors rejected oxyacetylene welding as an artform. Expressionism was not at acceptable form of painting. Not all that long ago photography was not accepted as ” fine art” either.

We each have to decide just how far outside of the lines we want to color.
Aaron April 13, 2011 at 6:53 pm

Thank you! You so eloquently put words to the way I have felt for quite some time. I enjoy Ansel’s work but am sick of always hearing about “Ansel would have this…” or “Ansel would have that…”.
Chris Kayler April 14, 2011 at 2:56 pm

So true.

But, would Ansel agree with you?
Heather April 14, 2011 at 8:07 pm

You make some interesting points here.

I personally do not believe that people who admire or consider Ansel an influence are trying to follow in his footsteps per se.

I think a lot of people ask the questions because it is something fun to discuss and there’s really nothing wrong with that.

While photography in and of itself is not a religion, I have to say for me personally my beliefs play a huge role in what I shoot and my perspective on what I am shooting.

Thank you for a thought provoking post..
Joel April 15, 2011 at 12:44 pm

Ansel would suggest you use a red filter with panchromatic black & white film.
Cindy Kilpatrick April 17, 2011 at 1:52 pm

Ansel would be blown away by this.
As am I.
R D Smith April 23, 2011 at 1:41 pm

Great post Ian. Not sure if it was suppose to but it made me laugh, it’s so true. I feel like every time I open my issue of Outdoor Photographer there is a another What would Ansel Do article. Maybe there should be an Ansel Adams magic eight ball for photographers, you could back it with you and when you where stumped you could just whip it out, ask the question, give it a shake and turn it over to get your answer. Cheers
Ryan Watkins April 23, 2011 at 7:26 pm

Great post Ian! I completely agree with your position.
St. Paul Camera Guy June 25, 2011 at 9:43 am

Ian – Great post and insights! I do think we can ask “What Would Ansel Do?” in reference to work ethic and standard of excellence, though.
The question of what gear Ansel would use and the amount of ink spent telling us the answer is completely asinine. Marketers playing on most photographers idol-worship of Ansel Adams.

But having done some research into AA’s life and work, I think his work ethic and standards are worthy of emulation. So I say as a challenge to those photographers who are so quick to say: “Good enough”,

What Would Ansel Do?

PS- Great photo. The range of hues and tonal values really make the image pop.
PPS- While I don’t know for certain, I believe AA would NOT eschew color image capture. In his late career, he did some color work, but didn’t delve too deep as the color film of the time didn’t generally meet his standards.

WWAD (What Would Ansel Do)?

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