Mary Street Alinder – författare

In this bestselling autobiography, completed shortly before his death in 1984, Ansel Adams looks back at his legendary six-decade career as a conservationist, teacher, musician, and, above all, photographer. Written with characteristic warmth, vigour, and wit, this fascinating account brings to life the infectious enthusiasms, fervent battles, and bountiful friendships of a truly American original.

In his early years in Yosemite, Adams formed the habit of writing letters at every opportunity. His correspondence, therefore, provides virtually the full record of his life. Throughout the years, wherever he went, from Southwest to Maine to Alaska, he wrote literally thousands of letters and postcards. Among the family, friends, fellow photographers, environmentalists and politicians with whom he corresponded rank such eminent names as Alfred Stieglitz, Paul Strand, Jimmy Carter, Garry Trudeau and Edward Weston. This volume of letters reveals the growth of the artist and the man, as well as the development of the art of photography.

"[A] portrait of the photographer that acknowledges his humanity while confirming his enormous artistic contribution"—updated and expanded edition (Los Angeles Times).First published in 1996, Mary Street Alinder''s biography of Ansel Adams remains the only full biography of one of the greatest American photographers. Alinder is a respected scholar, and also had a close connection to Adams, serving as his chief assistant in the last five years of his life. The portrait she creates of him is intimate and affectionate; it is also clear-eyed. She takes on his difficult childhood in San Francisco, the friendships and rivalries within his circle of photographers, his leadership in America''s environmental movement, his marriage, his affairs, and his not-always-successful fatherhood. Enriched by her uniquely personal understanding of Adams the man, she explains the artistic philosophy that, paired with his peerless technique, produced an inimitable style. Her biography is likely to remain unrivaled.This new edition will bring the classic up to date and includes research that reveals new information and a deeper understanding of his greatest photographs. It will also include thirty-two pages of reproductions of Adams''s work and snapshots of the artist and close friends."[An] ennobling, moving book." —Houston Chronicle"Alinder writes like the close and discerning friend that she was . . . [She] provides a clear and rather endearing portrait of this mercurial artist: stubborn and fiery in his convictions, devoted to his own pursuit of beauty." —San Francisco Chronicle