Moon and Clouds, Northern California, plate 4 from Portfolio V

In pure, elegant images, Adams presents a spiritually infused view of the natural world that encourages viewers to witness for themselves the beauty and power of nature. Light--cosmic, revealing--is the most significant element in Adams's photographs; most of his images were shot in the early morning, late afternoon, or in stormy weather to capture the fleeting effects of light. Adams was also an influential conservationist and lobbied tirelessly for environmental concerns.