Today, I learned something new

My research has apparently begun in earnest. Yesterday, I read a few lines that challenged a bit of what I had believed (or perhaps was led to believe) about Adams' photography for The Mural Project.

In his autobiography, Adams describes the genesis of his project as follows: First, Secretary Ickes invited him to photograph the national parks for Interior. Second, Ickes would review his pictures. Third, Ickes and Adams would jointly decide which images would be enlarged as murals. Fourth, "ownership of the negatives was to remain with [Adams], and there would be no restrictions on the future prints I could make from them."

Admittedly, Adams may not be the best source of information on his contractual arrangements with Interior. Folks do have a tendency to explain contracts in ways favorable to themselves. But in the absence of his actual contract (which I don't yet have) or a telling of this story from Ickes' perspective, it's the best source I have at this time.

I had previously heard that Adams' negatives were supposed to be provided to Interior. For now, I must assess Adams' tale as more authoritative.

On to more research!

Today, I learned something new