February 23, 2026 – Yosemite National Park officials shine a spotlight on photographer Ansel Adams, born on February 20, 1902.

Happy belated Birthday, Ansel Adams! A picture is worth a thousand words, and no one understood the story of nature more than Ansel Adams. Known for his dramatic, high-contrast black-and-white images, Adams’ photography of Yosemite’s granite monoliths, waterfalls, wildflowers, and rivers evoked a special sense of awe and power, allowing visitors to feel the vastness and beauty of these landscapes to this day.

When Adams looked through his lens, he saw a deeper connection to the natural world and was inspired to protect it, hoping to kindle the same sense of connection in all who viewed his art. When you look through the lens of your camera, what do you see? Before you take your next picture, whether at Yosemite or even taking a selfie at home, pause for a moment and truly look at what’s in your frame. Notice the subtle details, the light, the feeling of the moment. Whether it be family, friendship, or the grandeur of the space around you, let your photo tell the story of what you experienced, not just what you saw.

To learn more about Ansel Adams and view his original photographs, visit The Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite Valley (between the post office and the Yosemite Museum).

Pictured: "Half Dome, Apple Orchard, Yosemite," California. April 1933.
Ansel Adams. Department of the Interior. National Park Service. Branch of Still and Motion Pictures.

Ansel Adams shown as pictured in the 1950 Yosemite Field School yearbook and in “Yosemite Nature Notes” in January 1952. (J. Malcom Greany, RL-16, 641)

Source & photos: NPS