Alpenglow on Half Dome, Yosemite National Park, California

© Matthew Kuhns/TANDEM Stills + Motio

Celebrating Ansel Adams. Ansel Adams' birthday

Born on this day in 1902, Ansel Adams remains one of the most celebrated photographers in history, renowned for his striking black-and-white images of the American wilderness. His work immortalized the grandeur of national parks like California's Yosemite, pictured here, showcasing the raw beauty of nature with depth and clarity. A pioneer of 'pure photography,' Adams believed in capturing a scene's natural essence without manipulation, a principle he championed through his development of the Zone System—a technique to control exposure and contrast.