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L.A. Through the Lens of Ansel Adams, 1940: Rarely Seen Photos
Six of the images included in the exhibit, capturing L.A. in 1940 at spots like City Hall, a hot dog stand, and on Hill Street (Photos by Ansel Adams/courtesy drkrm)
An amazing photo exhibit is opening next month featuring rarely seen photographs taken by legendary photographer Ansel Adams while on assignment in L.A. for Fortune Magazine in 1940.
"For the project, Adams took over 200 black & white photographs showing everyday life, businesses, street scenes and a variety of other subjects," notes drkrm, who are presenting the upcoming show. "But when the article, City of the Angels, appeared in the March 1941 issue, only a few of the images were included."
The photos were found by Adams himself amongst his papers in 1960, and donated to the Los Angeles Public Library.
From Adams' letter to the LAPL about the photos:
"The weather was bad over a rather long period and none of the pictures were very good... I would imagine that they represent about $100.00 minimum value... At any event, I do not want them back."
For the exhibit, drkrm, in association with EVFA, and with the cooperation of the The Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection, will create and exhibit new silver-gelatin prints made from the original negatives. "These dramatic black and white limited-edition photographs, on display to the public for the first time, will be offered for purchase with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the LAPL," adds drkrm. (It's a fair bet the collection all together will net much more than Adams' $100 estimate.)
"Ansel Adams Los Angeles" will be on display at drkrm from February 18 through March 17, 2012, and is part of Pacific Standard Time.
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