Gates of the Valley, Winter
Original Photograph Negative: ca, 1938
Artist: Ansel Adams
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More About the Image:
Arriving in Yosemite for the first time in 1916, Ansel’s earliest recollection of the park was ‘emerging at Valley View [Gates of the Valley] – the splendor of Yosemite burst upon us and it was glorious. Little clouds were gathering in the sky above the granite cliffs, and the mists of Bridal Veil Fall shimmered in the sun.’ (AB pg. 42) The vista must have held a special place in Ansel’s heart as the introduction to his muse. In this image, El Capitan and Cathedral Rock bookend the valley, their forms made more prominent by Ansel’s preference to leave the visually arresting Bridal Veil Fall just out of the scene. The darker tones of the mountains solidify their stolid stewardship as sentinels at the valley gate, while the foreground comes to life with an inviting apricity that offsets any coldness of the scene. A wiry tree along the left edge buckles but does not break under the weight of the fresh water-laden Sierra snow, signifying the vigor of the forest, while also spiritedly challenging the more physically impressive El Capitan to a game of brawn; their careful superimposition creates a wonderful interplay like characters in a Neil Simon satire. This image would later be included in the Special Edition of Yosemite series signifying its importance among the artist’s collective works.
There is an elegance to walking onto a Yosemite meadow after a fresh snowfall. The sun takes a low path across the southern sky, creating dramatic lighting this time of year. Gone are the back to back crowds of the summer months, leaving you and your creative eye with the freedom to explore, often uninterrupted. We interviewed Ansel Adams Gallery Staff photographer Mike Reeves on some of his favorite spots to capture the wonders of winter in Yosemite, as well as insider tips that will keep you dry, your equipment safe, and the way back to a warm fire and meal at the end of the day.
