Please respond on the blog, not Buzz nor Twitter, so we can all follow the responses.
Thanks in advance. I'm looking forward to your opinions.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Calendar Photos
2010 is halfway (plus a bit) over, so I figure it's time to work on a 2011 Ansel Adams wall calendar for the fundraiser. For a change of pace, I thought I'd put it out to you, which images to include. We have 26 "conservatively cleaned" images and just 12 months in the year. Also, we have the challenge of vertical images in horizontal calendars. So, what do you think? What are your favorite Adams images from The Mural Project?
Please respond on the blog, not Buzz nor Twitter, so we can all follow the responses.
Thanks in advance. I'm looking forward to your opinions.
Please respond on the blog, not Buzz nor Twitter, so we can all follow the responses.
Thanks in advance. I'm looking forward to your opinions.
Reaching out to the National Archives
I tried my first digital outreach to the National Archives this week. There's an online Web-form system to ask questions of archivists -- somewhere on the Archives.gov.
This is one "busy" website. I find it pretty easy to get lost in it, which might be a commentary on its usability for noobs -- or more likely on my tiny brain and the woeful amount of time I've spent in NARA-space.
In any case, I'm not entirely certain the Web-form works. It promises a two-stage response to inquiries: 1st, an immediate response to let us know the message has been received; 2nd, a more meaningful response from someone at NARA. At least that's what I recall. In any case, I haven't yet received the receipt notice. I suspect they're on a similar M-F schedule as most federal workers, so I'll give them until Tuesday for the "immediate" response, then follow-up.
The Archives has an excellent variety of Adams prints for sale -- and I don't mind plugging them, since most of their prints neither cross-over with the works we're fund-raising with, nor possess the same digital "cleanliness"of ours. Besides, I just like the National Archives mission and if I can do them a good turn with a "plug," I'm ok with that. Go Archives!
This is one "busy" website. I find it pretty easy to get lost in it, which might be a commentary on its usability for noobs -- or more likely on my tiny brain and the woeful amount of time I've spent in NARA-space.
In any case, I'm not entirely certain the Web-form works. It promises a two-stage response to inquiries: 1st, an immediate response to let us know the message has been received; 2nd, a more meaningful response from someone at NARA. At least that's what I recall. In any case, I haven't yet received the receipt notice. I suspect they're on a similar M-F schedule as most federal workers, so I'll give them until Tuesday for the "immediate" response, then follow-up.
The Archives has an excellent variety of Adams prints for sale -- and I don't mind plugging them, since most of their prints neither cross-over with the works we're fund-raising with, nor possess the same digital "cleanliness"of ours. Besides, I just like the National Archives mission and if I can do them a good turn with a "plug," I'm ok with that. Go Archives!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Another View of the Record-setting Adams Photograph
Just an addendum to last week's note about the Ansel Adams' "Clearing Winter Storm, Yosemite National Park" and my supposition that the Telegraph's image might be a bit more grey than originally intended by Adams.
Check out this image from MSNBC.com. The contrast with the Telegraph image is stark.
Needless to say, I'm sticking with my prior opinion: Someone at the Telegraph tweaked Adams' image.
Check out this image from MSNBC.com. The contrast with the Telegraph image is stark.
Needless to say, I'm sticking with my prior opinion: Someone at the Telegraph tweaked Adams' image.
Friday, June 25, 2010
"Clearing Winter Storm, Yosemite National Park" sells for record $722,000
From the Telegraph:
I was quickly convinced that the Telegraph's image might well be slightly tweaked, so I hunted down a more original image on the Sotheby's website. Not so grey, eh? A bit darker -- more brooding and mysterious.
Why am I pointing this out? There's been some criticism of Interior's display of The Mural Project, most commonly the complaint that the images are too dark. I would humbly suggest that the images on display at Interior and on DOI.gov are more accurate than the critics are ready to admit.
A mural-size photograph by Ansel Adams of Yosemite National Park has sold for more than $722,000 (£489,000) at auction in New York City.Normally, this would be news on its own, but when I spied the photo the Telegraph had on display, I saw an opportunity. Check it out. It's kind of -- grey -- light -- great looking, but not quite right.
I was quickly convinced that the Telegraph's image might well be slightly tweaked, so I hunted down a more original image on the Sotheby's website. Not so grey, eh? A bit darker -- more brooding and mysterious.
Why am I pointing this out? There's been some criticism of Interior's display of The Mural Project, most commonly the complaint that the images are too dark. I would humbly suggest that the images on display at Interior and on DOI.gov are more accurate than the critics are ready to admit.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
The Dam
This image is unlike many from his Mural Project work in the national parks, in that it focuses on a man-made wonder. So much of his work is of the more natural type. But this was part of the assignment. Human creation is worth celebrating, and this dam is a truly immense and valuable creation.
Now, here's where it gets surprising: see the tiny specks near the top of the bridge. Go ahead -- check them out. I'll wait.
Still waiting...
Alright, time's up.
My colleague Ron pointed out to me how fine the new scans are. Check out this enlargement of the top edge of the dam:
People. We can see people -- and their cars -- on the dam. Credit Adams' large-format camera and his fine workmanship.Can I get a "Wow?"
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