Ansel Adams: The Story Behind the Image: "Aspens, Northern New Mexico"

[Sirius Glass]

https://www.anseladams.com/about-aspens-northern-new-mexico/

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[Andrew O'Neill]

A great read in his book. Probably one of my favourite books written by him.

 

[George Mann]

I'm sure that the original print is something to behold. But the digitized monstrosity that they dare to charge obscene amounts of money for does not!

 

[BrianShaw]

Many years ago I saw several versions of his printing. Aspens as well as other popular images. Some were magnificent. Others... notsomuch.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Many years ago I saw several versions of his printing. Aspens as well as other popular images. Some were magnificent. Others... notsomuch.

Your post reminds me of the time a few years ago I went to the AIPAD The Association of International Photography Art Dealers, an annual show that was being held in NYC. The show is one of the world's most prestigious annual photography events. It's is the longest-running and foremost exhibition dedicated to the photographic medium, offering a wide range of museum-quality work, including contemporary, modern, and 19th-century photographs as well as photo-based art, video, and new media. I digress.

So I'm walking through the show that has booths from a couple of hundred dealers from around the world. Many had Ansel Adams prints including Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico. I saw one for around $50,000 another for $75,000, and a third at the last dealer at around $80,000. While looking at it along comes this classy couple, he, debonair and in his young 50's, dressed to the peak, and she a hot blonde about half his age. So he points to the $75,000 Moonrise, and tells his chick, "That's nothing. I paid $110,000 for mine". She giggled and seemed very impressed as they slunk away both chatting and laughing it up, especially the guy who seemed very pleased with himself. I couldn't tell if it was because he had her or the Moonrise.

 

[BrianShaw]

So what were the differences in the images at each price point?

What I was referring to was an exhibit at a San Francisco gallery; I think it was the long-gone Friends of Photography gallery across from the Moscone Center. They had a number of Adams’ prints but several of each showing how he “revisioned” them when printing at various points in his life. Some were so dark and brooding that I found them unpalatable. Others were more to my liking. I have no idea if those differences reflect in value, collectability, or anything else a dapper buyer might have on his mind.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

So what were the differences in the images at each price point?

What I was referring to was an exhibit at a San Francisco gallery; I think it was the long-gone Friends of Photography gallery across from the Moscone Center. They had a number of Adams’ prints but several of each showing how he “revisioned” them when printing at various points in his life. Some were so dark and brooding that I found them unpalatable. Others were more to my liking. I have no idea if those differences reflect in value, collectability, or anything else a dapper buyer might have on his mind.

I don't know why the photos cost differently. I was busy thinking about how much she cost him.