Branches in the Snow, Yosemite National Park, Nevada (1932)
This photograph by Ansel Adams called “Branches in the Snow” particularly caught my eye due to its pure and chilling nature. Chilling literally because majority of the composition of this picture consists of the colour and the shapes created by the snow. Chilling also because another major part of the image i.e. the leaves, look like an unknown creature with a lot of limbs.
The hand like shape is organically created by the thickness and shape of the snow collected on the top part of the leaves. However the spike like bottom half of the leaves and its multiplicity obviate the sense of it being humanly. These alien characteristics and scraggy branches make it more intriguing.
The branch that perfectly cuts through the centre of the picture, naturally divides the delicate from the loud.
As far as I can judge, I think the camera is placed at eye level and then tilted downwards at an angle, which makes the leaves closer to the photographer appear bigger and the branches elongated. This view not only gives depth to the picture but further reassures the sense of a creature, on the ground, crawling towards the photographer.
The subtle shadows of the leaves, give form to the picture. If observed carefully the shadow casted by the leaves closet to the bottom of the picture, has a curvature to it which gives depth to the snow on the ground as well.
I think the exposure is balanced, as is with many of the works of Ansel Adams. The picture seems to be taken on a snowy day with no strong sunlight or hard shadows. This radiates a cool and mystical feel to me.
Reading about Ansel Adams and studying his pictures, I understand his love for the environment and why he choose it as his subject. The picture leaves me in awe as it so beautifully captures not only the mystic but also the anxiety that humans share towards nature.