Postcards from the Lake: Road Trip to Ansel Adams Exhibit

In our family, we have an expression: "I've never seen Petoskey in the sunshine." It's not quite true anymore, but when we were kids at the lake, the minute the skies were gloomy or it was rainy, our moms would pile my cousins and me into the car and we'd head to Petoskey, a charming down on Little Traverse Bay in Northern Michigan.

Well, it was a rainy day -- so off I went to Petoskey! My destination? The Ansel Adams exhibit at Crooked Tree Arts Center.

I've always loved Ansel Adams' work. He just masters the majesty of America's national parks and nature itself.

All the harder, I think, in magnificent black and white -- taking all that startling color and really allowing focus by the use of black and white.

The exhibit, free and running till September 30 for Michigan friends, is well worth the visit. It's beautifully displayed in two rooms -- earlier and later work. Ikebana installations add to the sense of nature.

Crooked Tree is housed in a former church and the stained glass made a lovely accompaniment.

Although, the reflections sometimes changed the look of the photo. I actually like this reflection of the glass in this image of Yosemite's Half Dome. I'm not sure Ansel would!

I was pleased to good documentation on how Adams executed his photos and interested in learning his concept of visualization. I admire that, as when I start something, I'm almost never sure of what it will be when it done!

One of my favorite photographers has an expression -- "I'd rather be lucky than good." (Wally is both!) Ignore the reflection on this one -- one of the artists' most famous.

And this description of the importance of good timing and the element of chance.

We all have our favorites and although I am not a winter person, I sure loved the light on this one!

It was fascinating to learn that Adams didn't get everything right straight out of the box. Take a look at the one above and see what he did.

And this Buddhist cemetery was far more dramatic than my photo shows. I love the rainbow.

Another nice element of this exhibit was a display of cameras from the era...

...and before.

Also included was a juried show of contemporary artists interpreting America's National Parks.

One feels confident that while Adams' days have passed, there are many other artists who are committed to sharing the beauty of our parks.

If you are in the region -- of it this show comes your way, I'd heartily recommend it.

Even if it's not a rainy day!