Rob909 Loc: Orland, Ca.

I was going thru some old books to donate to the local library and found this. Thought it might be interesting to some of the hogs out there.

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Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Yep. That sounds about right.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

The comment that he took "Moon, Hernandez" within 15 seconds to spare is a misquote. Actually Adams said that he had no time. He got one shot and, before he could reverse his holder for a second shot, the lighting changed and he lost the image he had sought.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

It may depend upon the validity of the sources of course, as well as which source. However it isn't significantly out of line with other descriptions of the Hernandez situation. The other comments about an image being months in planning struck me as being well worth reading and appreciating.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Regarding the validity of the sources, my two primary sources are Adams autobiography and his book "Examples" which details the taking of the picture. If he had 15 seconds, he would have had two similar images, not the one unique photo which has become his most popular. BTW, did you know that, although that picture was taken in the early 1940's, it wasn't until the 70's that Adams got a print that satisfied him? Unless you are talking about a posed photograph or a landscape, how can an image be months in planning? I doubt the thought ever occurred to HCB.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

On the surface that does sound ridiculous! But deeper study of what HCB was actually doing shows otherwise.

Without enough study folks assume HCB strolled around searching out that "decisive moment" and captured it within an instant. That rarely ever happened! He was always looking for the right geometry to make a good shot. When he saw it he then waited for a peak of energy. That may have been very quickly, there may have been many peaks, and often he waited long. He may have waited for the right season, months later, as an example.

Consider the famous shot of the bicycle courier on the cobble street racing past the spiral stairway. It certainly was not sight of that courier which triggered his setup. It was a pre-planned shot, and who.knows how long he had been aware of that setting.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

He waited on that staircase for months - or minutes?

http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/cartier-bresson-hyeres-france-p13112

During a walk around the town, Cartier-Bresson positioned himself at the top of the staircase with his equipment and waited for activity to take place that he could capture.

And please stop commenting on my posts.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Exactly my point! It was a pre-planned shot where he saw the right geometry first. He set up to get a shot, and then waited for the right entropy. Standard practice for HCB.

This is a public forum where your posts, just like mine and those of everyone else, are there specifically for discussion. Be more precise with your words if you want less critical commentary about them. You control that, not those who respond.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

You, sir, are an ass!

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

I don't stoop to Ad Hominem name calling, gratuitous personal insults, nor illogical claptrap. So maybe it's not me you are talking about...

We can assume that if you had had any kind of valid response or further discussion you would have presented that instead if this. Hmmmm...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Thanks for thinking of us.

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

Always like reading about Adams. Thx for the post but where is the rest of the article?

wj cody Loc: springfield illinois

Ansel and i had numerous conversations regarding some of his images. many of them took years of observation before he found the lighting and contrast he desired.

however, the Hernandez image is not one of these. Ansel was in his station wagon driving at the end of the day making pictures. he happened to see, out the car window, what the light was doing to the landscape, cemetery and town. he slammed on the brakes, set the camera up, had no time to either take a meter reading or even remember what filter he held in front of the lens. took a guess, set the aperture and shutter speed and wound up with that one negative. always meticulous, he, when we spoke, could not remember the aperture or shutter speed he used - he was that hurried.

also, it should be noted, that many serious, art photographers wait decades before printing a negative. it is not that we forget, but are constantly thinking about the image on the negative and waiting for that "right moment" to begin making a print.

he sometimes mentioned, that he may even have missed the penultimate moment for that image, as he thought it had already passed even as he released the shutter.

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

You are lucky to have known him. I went to hernandez a few years back, I guess just to say I have been at the same spot. Obviously not the same but it was just fun to see and imagine. Interesting, at least as I understand it, he made several versions of the print over the years until he finally was satisfied with the results. Guess our perspective changes over time.

BebuLamar

He couldn't find his meter.