Analysis Of Mount Williamson By Ansel Adams

The notion of community is at the heart of all cultures, religions and civilizations. Philosophers have long dreamed of utopian societies. They envision a family, nation, and community. Unity can lead to a feeling of love, compassion, bliss, and joy. The modern society has lost sight to the benefits that unity can bring and has become more focused on individualism. A utopian society is no longer possible because of the emphasis on individuality and the constant struggle for “ahead”. The idea that community brings people together to accomplish a common goal is better than capitalism which forces them to compete for their selfish goals. Ansel Adam captured the struggle between individualism as well as communism with his 1944 photograph of Mount Williamson.

Mount Williamson is found in the Sierra Nevada’s Foothills. Ansel’s simple photograph clearly captures modern society’s view on the destruction of community. The image depicts a vast valley that is covered with giant boulders. Each boulder has its own unique size, shape and color, but they share the same characteristic: they are all boulders. These boulders can also be used as metaphors for humankind. Each of us is unique and all connected by the common thread that is humanity. However, our individual focus can blind us to the difficulties of others. The boulders stood in front Mount Williamson’s massive mountain. They contain an aura that reflects divinity. Adams’ photograph clearly illustrates this understanding. The mountains sparkle with light from the heavens. It is obvious that the mountains represent a God in all her glory. However, the boulders look weak and helpless as they are buried under the pain of their earthly sins. The boulders appear to be ready for Mount Williamson’s judgment. At the moment of death, the human race should also be ready for its own judgement.

Mount Williamson is both a symbol of our judgement and our salvation. The photograph shows that mountains are formed from boulders. The fragile ecosystem that is nature cannot be supported by one boulder, but a mountain can provide shelter for animals and plants. The base of any ecosystem is made up of many boulders. This notion of home rings true to all. We can achieve so many more things when we all work together to create our own mountain tops or communities. One can have love, compassion, or humanity, but many can create it.

The lighting is what makes the photograph stand out. Adams’ use of shadow and shade creates this image. Feelings of oppression or fear are triggered by the darkness that covers individual boulders. These elements create the impression that the valley is hidden in conflict and sins. It is easy to feel lonely when looking at boulders. As though our bodies are searching for comfort, we want to shout. Mountains have a different feeling. The mountains are lit by the sun’s rays, creating an atmosphere that is respectful and full of true enlightenment. This is a direct link between humanity and unity. The true meaning of wisdom and divinity is created when boulders come together to form mountains. These same results can be applied to humanity. The results of a cohesive society are built when we unite to create a common foundation.

The mountains of unity in society today are slowly being eroded, and individuals have to take on the responsibility of the human condition. Every day is a reminder of this. This society is one where families are forced to live in poverty and the government continues to bomb struggling countries over the seas. It is a flawed society that funds and idolizes talented celebrities but doesn’t pay any respect to doctors or teachers. These jobs are essential for a successful society, but they don’t earn the highest wages or have the greatest esteem.

Conner Lloyd, a brilliant student and athlete, is also a great friend. Conner Lloyd and I met at a summer rowing camp, when we were attempting to make the huge leap from middle school into high school. Because it was different, our friendship didn’t have a clear beginning. Our first meeting seemed like another cycle. His report card was flawless, his family was happy, and he had incredible athletic abilities. Despite me being consistently unsuccessful, he convinced him to let me join his novice boys rowing club.

Conner was involved in a car accident at the beginning of the spring. This ripped apart Conner’s seemingly perfect world. The drunk driver took a dangerous turn, colliding directly with the PG &E vehicle. He sustained serious injuries and was not discharged from the ICU for nearly two weeks. Conner is slowly recovering after many months of physical therapy. However, these kinds of achievements cannot be achieved by one person.

The remarkable triumph he achieved was because he had the support of his family. His family brought sleeping bags and spent many hours together with the doctors. The nurses knew his friends on a first-name basis. His recovery can be described as Adams’ Mount Williamson photo. Conner’s health is like Mount Williamson. His recovery was built on the strength of his family, doctors and support friends. The mountains would crumble without the support of their boulders.

William A. Ward was a well-known Harvard rowing coach. Ward, the famed Harvard rowing coach, once stated to his team, “adversity cause some men to beat; and others record breaking.” But nothing prepared us to experience fear and adversity. We went as a team to Conner Lloyd’s ICU unit. He was still dependent on many machines for survival. With the constant bleeps from the heart monitor, we became a family. Our team was transformed by the sterile hospital. This wasn’t a casualty of a car accident. He was our brother.

Conner was starting to get out of hospital and our team felt a new incentivism. This was evident in our race results. Our coach stated that the team could only be as fast as the fastest rower. This was evident as we entered the regional finals knowing our slowest competitor was a fast one. Sixteen boats came from six states to compete for the gold medal. All of our sweat, blood, and tears were put into one race over 2,000 meters.

As we looked around at our competitors, we started to question everything. We saw our competition all around us and began to question everything. We were last at 500m, but we started to see the value of joining together. We began to connect in a matter of seconds. Our bodies began to move in the same way as the water. After ten strokes, the last one became second. By a mere third of a second, it was first. Conner, in his wheelchair, was beaming joyously as we all gathered to celebrate our victory.

Adam’s lens shows that Adam and the rest of the team were initially individual boulders struggling to make it big. Conner’s death, however, made us feel like the family we needed. At the Regional Championships, many boulders from different backgrounds came together and became the essential Mountains in Williamson. They also achieved a shared set of goals.

Ansel Adam’s Mount Williamson picture shows a troubling image of reality about modern society. A community can produce the same results as an individual, but we are not able to achieve them individually. Unity and teamwork create a powerful sense of divinity, which breeds compassion and humanity.