For this photoshoot I went to Greve de Lecq beach, where the ruggedness of the rocks fit in well with the dramatic, high-contrast images that Adams is so well known for.

I had planned to edit the images to black and white in order to try and keep the timeless aesthetic so I payed close attention to the light and shadows as I took the images in order to bring out the stark details of the landscape. I also had the tonal range in mind, striving to preserve every subtle gradation between light and shadow, emphasizing the contrast between the sunlit areas and the deep, moody shadows.

I obviously couldn’t match the level of drama or scale that is portrayed in Ansel Adams Images but I tried to convey the immense scale of the landscape. The jagged rocks seeming to reach toward the sky, while the vastness of the sea stretched out infinitely in the background. The sense of space and isolation in these images is inspired by Adams’ work, where nature is both awe-inspiring and humbling.

I also took a few images when I was driving across the north coast as it has steep rugged cliffs that I thought would fit well with this photoshoot.

Contact Sheet

Image Selection

Editing

I chose to edit my images into black and white like Ansel Adams.

Final Images

I decided to pick these 3 images as my final landscapes for this photoshoot because I think they reflect Ansel Adams’ dramatic style through careful attention to tone and contrast.

I utilised editing to replicate Adams’ zone system, concentrating on fine detail and a wide tone range. Visually, the images share strong compositions—like leading lines, dramatic skies, and textured foregrounds. To establish harmony and rhythm across the series, The first image is bold and dynamic, the second more open and reflective, and the third combines both to create balance across the series.

Contextually, my work connects to Adams’ tradition of capturing nature’s beauty to inspire respect and protection. While he focused on mountains, I used the coast to explore similar ideas of scale, power, and stillness.

Conceptually, the series expresses themes of awe, and the emotional impact of nature. The absence of colour helps focus on mood and form, while small human figures in one image hint at our insignificance within the vast landscape—an idea central to Adams’ philosophy.