Conversations with Ansel Adams: Oral History - Research Paper Example

Oral history Introduction Oral history is a technique of collecting recorded information from interviews with a narrator.The narrator in this method needs to have firsthand information of the significant historical events while the interviewer needs to be articulate in equal measure. “Ansel Adam conversation” lays emphasis on perhaps the greatest photographer of his time. His works relates to Americas Civics, Geography, History, and economics. Ansel Adams wished to be a musician but fate had it that he had to be a photographer. The article further explains the contribution of photography to the history of America. It is also imperative to note that he was an enthusiastic environmental conservationist according to his conversation. According to Ansen Adams, photography constitutes of all communicable aspects and the whole of photography technical attributes. The most interesting aspect of this interview is that Alsen relays his personal opinions childhood and his emotions. The interview is an important source since one is able to understand his viewpoints on life and other aspects of photography. The interview brings to light important aspects about Alsen philosophy, and one gets the feeling that music and photography are the same. “Conversation with Ansen Adams” explains the photography works of Adams equivalent to his experiences, emotions, and transmission of his concepts that has shaped today’s history. Adams made photography an important aspect in representation of historical events. Photographs have a unique way of communicating information that would otherwise not be feasible orally. “Ansel Adams conversation” refers to interviews held in twenty- six sessions with Adams Ansel (Harroun and Teiser 4-8). These interviews portray various topics, personal life and feelings of the photographer. Representation on Education It is interesting as to how Adam Alsen compares yester education systems to current systems. In his narration, one gets the feeling that yester year’s education systems were superior. However, is this truth? The camera that Alsen used back then would not be relevant in today’s photography. He examines yesterday’s technology to details, but such technology will not be relevant in the 21st century. Therefore, humans are in a constant state of progress and this means that things have to change. We may look at t his works with great pleasure, but we know well we cannot change the world’s geography or nature. Adam narrates of his education and points out that he was not that a good student. He went through different schools but did not do well until he got into music. It was during his music lessons that he had private studies on various languages. From his studies, Adam became articulate In French, Greek but did poorly in German. From this conversation, Adam compares previous education standards to current needs and regulation of the education system. Previous education systems concentrated on personal needs of students while current system demands one to go to grammar school then high school (Harroun and Teiser 7-15). Creativity is another very important aspect in the development of an individual. Persons who use their creative forces benefit from that impulse that they would not venture into drugs. Just like music, Adams tries to explain that one may be a genius but lack the convention ways of speech. The point he wishes to bring home is that a photograph represents a thousand words. Childhood Adam’s family originated from England, his mother was born in Iowa. His father was a businessperson who travelled by ship. His grandfather, on the other hand, had a successful lumber business and other activities. Because of several disastrous events, his grandfather lost over twenty ships. During those days, the accounting system was not much developed. Therefore, in an event where a ship was destroyed the owner had to seek for money to rebuild it. In those days, there was no such thing as taxes and offices were simple sometimes with a couple of individuals writing on typewriters or on books. In terms of religion, Adams family consisted half Catholics and half heathens. His childhood got him close to nature and he had a chance to draw architectural designs at his grandfather’s yard when he was about ten, which shaped his memory. Alsen has a perfect memory of his childhood. This points out that he was not only an artist but had the love for his family. The interview helps one to understand his compassion and love for their family. Alsen loved his family members straight from his grandfather to his brother. He is also in close contact with almost every individual. In his interview, he is able to show one that he worked with many teachers and he was in close contact with workers, in his grandfather’s business. Adams has a unique way of representing music and comparing it to photography. He states that just as music has its own mode of communicating ideas, so do photography. He was exceptional in taking photo shoots using his camera. In those times, photography entailed printing of negatives. Just as the way yeast works on bread, Alsen relates to photographs production. In his interview, Adams states that most of those who produced photographs had slight idea on production of negatives. His music career began with studying the piano. Miss Maries Butler an associate with the New England Conservatory became his first musical teacher. He learned basic piano lessons from her and through their interactions proved him natural. He progressed in his study and was referred to Professor Fredrick Zech for six weeks. After his practice with the professor, Adam was referred to a woman called Elizabeth Simpson. His experience with Elizabeth at Berkeley did not go well; this is because he felt the woman did not give room for creativity. Ben Moore was the next teacher to impact piano lessons on Adam. As an Organist-pianist Moore had a great influence on the photographer. His Musical dimension as well as being a philosopher interested Ansen that he worked with him for years. Photography works Adams states that the use of photography can take precedence in any field. He says that one can use photography for social, political and personal reasons. This therefore, shows that photography has the power to influence the society. This influence has led to the growth of the movie and music industry where image is in use. Individuals are now able to communicate through movies. Such activities have influence people’s perception and response to world’s events. Ansen photography career began when there was no college or school to impact students with photography skills. During that period, there were few professional photographers and one could be one by either self-training or observation. Ansen says that professional photographers of the time were good at keeping secrets. Most of the photography works at the time were dependent on personal initiative. Adam Ansen had this unique way of fusing music with photography. He states that people tend to ignore the fact that music has its unique tone to the ears of those who can hear. Photography has the same qualities. Two photographers can take a photograph of the same item at the same angle but portray different stories. He further states that music as well as photography has an effect of anticipation on individuals. In his time, he had an opportunity to offer training to an army unit on photography. His works in photography in galleries and museum all over America speaks volumes of information. Americans are able to relate to their past through visualizing Ansen’s works. Americans get a feeling of the geographical past through his photographs. People learn about their culture through his pictures. Through his portraits, one gets a feeling of the economic position of people during his time. His representations in the Japanese relocation camp have great sociological perspectives. This was a tragic time for America. In his memory, Adams says that it was not a good sight to see “young kids” barely graduated from high school enlisted in the camp. He states in conversation that people in his photographs afforded fake smiles. It was a fact that people at Manzanar camp were oppressed, but he was able to cut a positive attitude in them. In his art, Adam Ansens portraits did not have the title, what was the use of a title when one could paint his own image from just looking he said. Even though Manzanar had tragic memories, it had its beautiful side. The region had a beautiful setting, had a mountain and a beautiful environment worth recording (Harroun and Teiser 23). Contribution to Civics of America Adams interview plays an important role in educating the American public about their civilization. The most interesting part of this interview is that Adams narrates American’s evils and relations with other nations. The interview answers the question of how the American government used to treat enemies of war. Adams photographs illustrate great suffering that people encountered during his time. According to his interview, Adam points out the influence of war on the society at the time. He explains of how American citizens of Japanese origin were sent to relocation camps. These individuals had the treatment of prisoners of war. At the Manzanar relocation, camp in California Adam made a collection of photographs that tell a story of prisoners of war (Harroun and Teiser 23). Examination of his photograph collection of the camp shows how people suffered. Nevertheless, depiction of some of his photos shows people who have a strong zeal to live. Adam’s portraits were different from those employed by designers of propaganda against Japanese invasion. These posters intended to support relocation of prisoners of war in Manzanar camp. However if American had seen Adam pictures on Japanese in this camp, their attitudes would have been different (Harroun and Teiser 33). It was also about this time that scientific concepts and theories came into light. What could Adam do than to display such events in a story? In his conversation with the interviewer, the photographer illustrates his opinions on science and Christianity. A woman practitioner of science once tried to persuade him to the notion of Christian Science. This could not work for Adam since he was interested in Astronomy. In his conversation, he brings out to the reader pictorial representation of an art fair of 1915 he visited. He explains every memorable event and in one instant points out to an embarrassing situation with a person in the show. Adam an Historian and Environmentalist Ansel Adams exploits in photography has made him a legend in environmental conservancy. The photographer loved nature, and this is evident from his youth. In his conversation, he states that he loved visiting cliffs and forested areas of the country. His photographs in museums and galleries depict nature in different perspectives. He draws the reader to historical events and activities that have shaped America’s social and economic landscape. He first depicts his childhood experiences giving preview information of economics, emotions at the time and level of technology. He talks of an old monument constructed by a man to depict its former self. In his conversation, he tries to bring out the picture of the building centuries ago. He further points out that on religion when asked about the Greek lessons he took. From his conversation, Adams tells the interviewer of how the teacher influenced his life. Adams used his photography to depict the beauty of nature. The photographer loved to explore nature and beauty of the natural world. His art collection depicts nature to a high scale. He had a way of communicating the nature to his audience and the beauty of the American geography. In his conversation, he had the oratory skill of painting scenes and land marks of the country. From an extract of his conversation with the interviewer, Ansen says that he had an emotional attachment with nature. He says that he had the interest of painting the aesthetic, history, and nature to the society. Like other environmentalist of their time. Ansel Adams proves to be a lover of nature through his works (Harroun and Teiser 56). He says that he loved going to the Bakers Beach have a feel of the fog. However, he stops for a moment to lay his frustrations on the state of pollution back then. In his discussion, he paints a picture of how the beach looked at during those times. From his photograph archive at the center of creative photography, one can view over 3000 exhibitions with other original materials. His representation of nature has a profound influence on the American nature and natural reserves. Adam loved photographing natural reserves, parks and other restricted areas. The photographer had the ability to depict nature’s details. His depiction is on intimate details on nature and thus reflected nature with respect to texture, light, shadow and other representations. Adam as well as other photographers like Edward Weston, Henry Swift and Sonya Noskowiak had an influence on the field of photography in America (Harroun and Teiser 47). What was different with Adam from these photographers is that he represented nature from an emotional angle. Adam’s sense of responsibility and love for nature has made his works span over generations. His devotion on arts was instrumental in the development of the center for Photography at the University of Arizona. From the center, one is able to find correspondence, negatives, and memorabilia. During his years, the photographer emphasized photography as an art used for communicating various aspects of the society. The photographer remained an active conservationist until his death. Adams Representation on Economics Adams Photographs has various depictions on the state of the economy of the country. From the archives, one gets to experience the state of economy at the time. In his conversation, the photographer paints a picture of the economic situation in his childhood. He vehemently emphasizes on how his father lost shares of his firm through corrupt deals. He definitely lets one have the feeling of the way financial transactions took place through his details on his grandfather’s lumber mill business. Although economic progress has its positive influences, various techniques used have an impact on the environment. In his conversation, he lays emphasis on the influence of economic growth that led to sewer pollution on the beach at his home area. He states that photography is some form of language just like English. Therefore, when one says an artist photographs are not creative they are wrong. The purpose of photographs is not to stir your emotions, but it has a deeper meaning. Representation of events in photographs has its challenges and Adams faced them. Some of the challenges that Ansel Adams faced include, objections from politicians and businesspersons. His conservation goals did not go well with some individuals. This is evident with the fact that when he ventured into photographing events at Manzanar relocation Center, the government ignored him (Harroun and Teiser 23). Representation on Geography Photography use in the nineteenth century brought with it different approaches to recording of information. It was during this period that the camera became a popular tool for researchers as well as enthusiasts. During this period, people were able to use the camera to broaden their capabilities in visualizing nature. Ansel Adams and other artists were instrumental in representing different places of the physical world (Harroun and Teiser 16). Their artistic skill ventured on communicating various aspects of the world and space. Information from “conversations with Ansel Adams”, Adams speaks of photographs he received from a friend on mars. From his talk, he admires them and even goes further to suggest different angles he would have shot the photos. The photographer loved geographical sceneries and from his works, one can draw a picture of the geographical wealth of America. His conservatism contributed to the development of the conservation movement that persuades citizens and government protecting important sites. Adams works contributed to the representation of America’s wilderness (Harroun and Teiser 16). He started first by examining geographical features like grasses, wood textures, flowers, and small pools. Then eventually went into representing various geographical features like the clouds, sky, landscape, mountains, rivers, and the wilderness. Through his pictures, Ansel Adams has been able to communicate with the American public, as well as the world on conservation. His works further depicts an enthusiast who loved photography, nature and on top of it was able to communicate his emotions through pictures. Works cited Harroun, Catherine Teiser, Ruth. Conversations with Ansel Adams: oral history Transcript. 1972-1975. 2013. Uc Berkeley Library. Read More