Ansel Adams

Imagine you were 12, and you were asked to leave schools because you were dyslexic and struggling to keep up, both socially and academically.

That’s what Ansel Adams went through when he was young.

The famous photographer was pulled out of school and homeschooled by a private tutor.

Though he returned to school to finish eighth grade, Adams had already developed a love of nature—specifically, his fascination with Yosemite National Park—that made him want to start to photograph nature. His parents gave him a Kodak Brownie and he began to develop his skills.

"When words become unclear, I shall turn to photographs," Adams said.

Adams started to photograph lots of national parks, especially Yosemite, and became a huge proponent of national parks, even helping to preserve Yosemite.

He’s taken some of the most distinct pictures of the United States west and also took the first official presidential portrait made by a photograph.

You can check out Ansel Adam’s work at the Ansel Adams Gallery.