Grass and Water

1933

Opens his own gallery in San Francisco

Following the example of Alfred Stieglitz, Adams opens his own art and photography gallery in San Francisco in 1933. He begins publishing essays in photography magazines, and in 1935 writes his first instructional book, “Making a Photograph.”

1934

Elected to the Sierra Club's board of directors

In 1934 Adams is first elected to the Sierra Club's board of directors, on which he will serve for thirty-seven years; his wife also served as a director.

1934

First defines “visualization” in print

In 1934 Adams first defines in print the concept of “visualization” — picturing each image before taking it — which becomes a core principle of his photography. With it he pursues higher quality, relying on small apertures and long exposures in natural light, as in “Rose and Driftwood” (1933).

1936

Solo show at Stieglitz's gallery in New York

Gathering his recent work, Adams holds a solo show in 1936 at Stieglitz's New York gallery “An American Place.” The exhibition proves successful with both critics and the buying public, and the revered Stieglitz himself praises Adams warmly.

1937

A month in Arizona with Georgia O'Keeffe

In 1937 Adams, O'Keeffe and friends organize a month-long camping trip in Arizona, guided by Orville Cox, head wrangler at Ghost Ranch. Both artists create new work, and Adams makes a candid portrait of O'Keeffe with Cox on the rim of Canyon de Chelly, where, he later remarked, some of his best photographs were made.

1937

Fire in the Yosemite darkroom

In 1937 the darkroom in Yosemite catches fire; with the help of Edward Weston and Charis Wilson, Adams puts it out, but thousands of negatives are lost, including hundreds that had never been printed. The negative of “Clearing Winter Storm” is almost destroyed.