About my “Snake River” Photograph.

My photograph titled ”Snake River” was taken in 2018 near Moose, WY close to the Snake River Overlook. This spot was made famous by legendary landscape photographer Ansel Adams who took his famous photograph of the snake river from this overlook location in 1942. Ansel Adams's photographs are what inspired my love of landscapes and Black & White photography from an early age. While I wanted to photograph this iconic landscape, I also wanted to put my own vision into the photograph. Unfortunately you can’t get this view from the overlook where Ansel took his photo from anymore due to new tree growth. You can’t stand where Ansel stood and get the bottom of the river which makes the famous “S” shape.

I wanted to photograph this view and I really wanted that “S” shape of the river, and I wasn’t going to let 76 years of tree growth stop me from getting it. I set out to find a better vantage point but it couldn’t be done from the overlook. So down the side of the overlook I went, hiking down the side of the cliff with all of my equipment in tow. I was able to find a small clearing with a fallen tree that I could climb up a bit and use it and another tree to precariously set my tripod and get the iconic scene with that “S” shape of the river. I also shot this vertical partly to be different and partly to my new location limitations. This is my favorite photograph from Ansel Adams and also a favorite from my work. I am glad I was able to capture this image and pay homage to a true photographic landscape master.