Alan, Author at Alan Ross Photography

The Language of Black and White Photography

Feb 20, 2018Alan2 CommentsPhoto Philosophy, VisualizationBlack and White Photography

For me, a photograph is very much a kind of language. It can be as practical and unadorned as an entry in an encyclopedia. It can be a set of instructions. It can be a chapter in a novel or it can be haiku. And for those of us to whom words do not come…

The Polarizing Filter – You Can’t Mimic It In Photoshop!

Nov 16, 2017Alan1 CommentLenses, Tech

A polarizing filter is one of the few filters that are equally effective with color imaging and with black-and-white. It can: • Minimize or eliminate reflections in glass, water or most any surface except metal. • Darken skies in color photos as well as in black-and-white • Cut through haze • Increase the saturation of…

Photographic Visualization – How To Visualize A Photograph Before You Shoot

Aug 31, 2017Alan2 CommentsAnsel Adams, VisualizationAnsel Adams, how to visualize a photograph, visualization

Photographic Visualization In April 1927, during one of his regular trips to Yosemite, a 25-year-old Ansel Adams trekked up to the ‘diving board’ on the west shoulder of Half Dome. There, he made a dramatic image of the monolith using a mild yellow filter to darken the sky a bit—a generally recommended and accepted practice in those…

How To See Like A Photographer

Jun 27, 2017Alan3 CommentsAnsel Adams, Photo Expeditions, Photo Philosophy, Tech, WorkshopsAnsel Adams, photo expeditions, photo philosophy, tech, workshops

One of the things I enjoy most about being a photographer is the opportunity to share the knowledge and experience I’ve gained during my 40+-year career looking through the lens. I consider teaching both a privilege and a responsibility, and I do a lot of it. Something I get asked to address in nearly all…

Ansel Adams’ Zone System – Darling Or Dinosaur?

May 19, 2016Alan6 CommentsAnsel Adams, Darkroom, Zone System and MeteringAnsel Adams, Darkroom, Zone System

As someone who worked side-by-side with Ansel Adams for a number of years, I get asked about Ansel Adams’ Zone System…A LOT! “How do I?” “Why does it?” “Can I?” I’ve written about the Zone System before, but a recent flurry of questions and requests for clarification have made me think it’s time…

Can The Zone System Go Digital?

Jan 6, 2015Alan2 CommentsAnsel Adams, Tech, Zone System and MeteringAnsel Adams, The Zone System, ZS

Can the Zone System Go Digital? IN A WORD…YES! The Zone System (ZS) can be an integral and important part of any digital photographer’s workflow because it allows you to plan and predict an image’s tonal values rather than letting the camera make the decision. The computerized metering systems in modern cameras are really amazing,…

Darkroom Water Conservation

Feb 11, 2014Alan3 CommentsDarkroom

Apt Question from FaceBook reader Harry Green. “Any suggestions on how to be water conscious these days in Southern California. Our water prices are high, and I fret to think of those days I left water on for 8 hours, while printing for 8 hours. How to survive ? I used to wash DW…

Ansel Adams’ Darkroom – A Tour

Feb 11, 2014Alan1 CommentAnsel Adams, DarkroomAnsel Adams, Darkroom

Lot’s of folks have asked me what it was like to work for the master himself and what Ansel Adams’ darkroom was like. So, here’s a tour! When Ansel hired me in July of 1974 to be his assistant in Carmel, he actually hired me to be his #2 assistant. Ted Orland had already been…

How To Choose The Best Spot For Camera And Lens

Apr 9, 2013AlanLenses, Techcamera and lens, lenses, vantage point

I often write about visualization–the difference between what the camera sees (the literal) and what the photographer sees in his or her mind’s eye as the final print (the expressive.) The two may be quite similar or quite different, but being able to interpret what you see and picture the final image on paper is…

Visualization, a la Ansel Adams

Feb 19, 2013Alan2 CommentsAnsel Adams, Photo Philosophy

In 1927, during one of his regular trips to Yosemite, Ansel Adams trekked up to the “diving board” on the west shoulder of Half Dome. There, he made a dramatic image of the monolith using a mild yellow filter to darken the sky a bit—a generally recommended and accepted practice in those days. But what…