Introducing Ansel Adams Archival Replicas

Nearly 25 years have passed since a new type of Ansel Adams photographic reproduction has been made available. Now, digital reproductions of photographs made by Ansel Adams are being introduced by The Ansel Adams Gallery. These new “Archival Replicas” have come about because of recent advances in printing and imaging technology.

“Until now, people wanting to display an Ansel Adams photograph have had three choices: an original print made by the artist, Yosemite Special Edition photographs limited to 8 by 10” or fine art posters,” said Matthew Adams of The Ansel Adams Gallery. “These new Archival Replicas expand the selection of his work available to the public in a range of sizes, and do so at affordable prices,” Adams continued.

The ability to offer high-quality digital reproductions of photographs made by Ansel Adams was first considered three to four years ago when Matthew Adams and his staff started seeing printers with the capability of producing neutral black and white images with deep blacks. “However, we were disappointed that neutral, gray-ink-only reproductions rarely came close to Ansel’s photographs,” described Matthew Adams, “In the past two years, technology has advanced to the point that we’re now able to make reproductions of my grandfather’s originals to extraordinarily exacting standards.”

The imaging process employed is so advanced that, other than The Ansel Adams Gallery, only the Getty Museum and Smithsonian Institution are now using it. That technology, coupled with digital printers that use 12 inks, including four shades of gray, gives the Archival Replicas the full range of hues and tones of gelatin silver prints, according to Matthew. “We think these are the best large-format reproductions of Ansel’s work yet made,” he said.

The Archival Replica program draws from the combined collections of the Adams family and the Center for Creative Photography at the University of Arizona, where Ansel Adams’ archive resides. Seven images that he created between 1930 and 1955 were chosen, including photographs taken in Yosemite National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, Canyon de Chelly, at Point Sur and of the Marin Headlands.

The Archival Replicas range in size from 7 by 9” to 30 by 38” and cost from $79 to $999, depending upon size, mounting, matting and framing. Each year, additional photographs will be made available. Ansel Adams Archival Replicas are available exclusively from The Ansel Adams Gallery and can be seen in Yosemite Valley and online at www.anseladams.com.