Print spotting is something none of us can avoid having to take to task on some level. Some of us are better at it than others, some just can’t get the hang of it at all. Some are good at it but just don’t have the time or patience for it. If you or anyone…
Meter Calibration
According to Ted Orland’s poster Photographic Truths: “No two light meters agree.” Sadly, that does seem to be pretty much the truth – unless you do something about it. For years I had a pair of supposedly “matched” Pentax digital spot meters that were never closer than 1/3 of a stop from each other –…
Airport X-Rays
It’s something that worries all of us: Is my film going to get wrecked by airport security? I guess the answer is always “maybe”, but recent experience makes me want to say “probably not.” In the last year and a half I have had the opportunity to make three international trips with 4×5 camera gear…
Variable-Contrast Articles – Reprints now on CD-ROM
In 1998 and 1999 I wrote a 4-part series of articles on Variable-Contrast printing for CameraArts magazine (the “smaller-format” sister of ViewCamera magazine). CameraArts is now defunct in print form however the articles are still available directly through me. If you have been one of my students and would like something better than the xerox…
Zone System Heresy – A Case for Zone IX Calibration
Ever since I was back at Ansel’s in the late ’70’s, I had been faithfully calibrating my high values at Zone VIII, targeting a density of about 1.25 above filmbase-fog. Since 2004 or so, however, I’ve been thinking more and more that it makes more sense to calibrate to Zone IX, with a target density…
Contact
Alan is always happy to answer questions, provide technical input or otherwise support your photographic efforts. You can contact him for help in one of the following ways: Email: alan@rossimages.net Telephone: 505.466.2335.
WORKSHOPS
“Mastering Photography” Workshops “Chance Favors the Prepared Mind” was one of Ansel Adams’ favorite expressions. And it was his own prepared mind that allowed him to so successfully realize his artistic vision. Prepare your mind for the moment when light, beauty and chance define opportunity by learning to connect Ansel’s approach and mastery with today’s tools and…
The Latest
Check out the new Gallery and Store! Newsletter Archive
Alan and Ansel Adams
I think Ansel was probably one of the most even-tempered people I have ever met. Though always a hard worker he was also a jokester at heart. He knew he had become an important figure in environmental and photographic causes, and he constantly put this stature to good use. Very often, by the time I…
About Alan Ross
Alan Ross is an internationally respected master photographer and educator who worked side-by-side with Ansel Adams as his photographic assistant. He knows Adams’ approach and technique perhaps better than any other photographer today. As an artist, Alan is best known for his tonally exquisite black-and-white photographs of the American west; his photographs hang in…