Final answer:
Ansel Adams photographed national parks to increase public awareness and appreciation of their natural beauty, contributing to preservation efforts. His black and white images were renowned for their sharp focus and artistic composition, influenced by his environmental dedication and the transcendentalist philosophy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ansel Adams made photographs of national parks to increase public awareness of the beauty of nature. Adams, being an environmentalist and following the transcendentalist ideas of Ralph Waldo Emerson, sought to represent the magnificence of the American landscape, which he understood deeply from an early age. An influential figure in the development of the conservation movement, his imagery played a big role in emphasizing the importance of preserving these natural treasures. He engaged in photography as a means to capture the enchanting landscapes without any digital alteration, reflecting the artistry and dedication it took to portray the scenes in their truest form. The national parks provided him with a subject that not only captivated him personally but also held immeasurable value for public and ecological preservation, echoing the sentiment initiated by earlier artistic contributors like Albert Bierstadt and Thomas Moran who also helped inspire the establishment of the national park system.
Ansel Adams was one of the co-founders of Group f/64, a collective of photographers that championed photographs which were sharply focused and carefully framed, emphasizing photography as an art form capable of producing powerful and emotive images that highlight the beauty and fragility of our natural world.