Iconic photos of the American landscape taken by Ansel Adams were celebrated May 15 at a dedication ceremony for new stamps showcasing 16 of his images.
“Ansel Adams is one of the 20th century’s most renowned artists, responsible for thousands of awe-inspiring and indelible images of the American landscape,” said Daniel Tangherlini, a USPS Board of Governors member who spoke at the ceremony.
The event took place at Yosemite National Park in California, a place that inspired many of the artist’s photos.
His black-and-white images of some of the country’s most beautiful places — including Half Dome in Yosemite Valley, the Grand Tetons in Wyoming and Denali in Alaska — became icons of the environmental movement.
“He felt deeply about the need to conserve our natural heritage — and through his talent, he made others care about this cause, too,” Tangherlini said.
Other speakers included Cicely Muldoon, Yosemite National Park superintendent; Alan Ross, an artist, educator and former assistant to Adams; Shelton Johnson, a Yosemite park ranger; and Matthew Adams, president of the Ansel Adams Gallery and the artist’s grandson.
Scott Gediman, the park’s public affairs officer, was master of ceremonies.
Throughout a career that spanned seven decades, Adams received praise and recognition for his photographic and conservation work.
In 1980, President Jimmy Carter awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom — the nation’s highest civilian honor. Adams died in 1984 at age 82.
“Ansel’s passion for his craft, willingness to share his approach and technique, and dedication to both protecting and preserving the environment had a profound influence on how I approached my own journey as a photographer,” said Ross.
The stamps feature 16 of the most famous Adams images in his signature “straight photography” style, an approach defined by its precision and directness.
Derry Noyes, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps.
The Ansel Adams stamps are available in panes of 16 at Post Offices and usps.com.
