John Sexton’s First Day as Ansel Adams’ Technical Assistant

I was lucky enough to take two of John Sexton’s workshops when I was much younger. Later, I would come down and visit with John when I had to be in Silicon Valley for business. It goes without saying that John is a gifted photographer, but I can also tell you without hesitation that he’s a tremendous teacher and a lot of fun to be around. During one of the workshops John asked us if we would like to visit Ansel Adams’ home. Really? There I was standing on the hallowed ground in the holy temple that was his darkroom. And while I didn’t kneel down and kiss the floor, it was a profound and mind-altering experience I have never forgotten!!!!

While I haven’t seen John in some years we have stayed in touch and I always look forward to receiving his wonderfully informative newsletter. The above is apropos because the latest newsletter contains a marvelous and humorous essay chronicling John’s first day on the job as Ansel’s Technical Assistant. With John’s kind permission I am posting it here as I’m sure you will enjoy reading it as much as I have! Thanks John!

If you would like to see John’s entire newsletter, you can do so here: http://www.johnsexton.com/newsletter07-2024.html Finally, if you would like to subscribe to John’s newsletter you can do it here: Subscribe to John’s Newsletter

MY FIRST DAY WORKING FOR ANSEL ADAMS 45 YEARS AGO!

It is hard for me to believe that 45 years have passed since one of the most significant changes in my life. This change involved leaving my home in Southern California, with my newlywed wife of two weeks, along with all our possessions to move to Monterey, California. The reason for this move was my employment status had changed.

On Monday, July 23, 1979, I started a new job as Ansel Adams’ Technical Assistant. I was both excited, and a bit nervous, when I pulled into Ansel and Virginia’s driveway that morning. I had no idea how our friendship and working relationship would evolve, and we had never discussed how long my tenure might be in this position. I could never have imagined the profound impact it would have on me as a photographer and on every aspect of my life. I certainly anticipated learning a great deal about the craft and aesthetics of photography, which I did, but I learned so much more.

In addition to his amazing talent as a photographer and printmaker, Ansel was a charismatic character. He was a dedicated, ethical, honest to a fault, and extremely hardworking. He strove for perfection in his photography and tolerated excellence. Ansel seamlessly combined his commitment for preserving the planet with his passion for photography. He used his photographic skills to convey his close relationship with, and respect for, the natural environment and the irreplaceable value of the wilderness experience. Ansel’s photographs came from his heart, and his mastery of photography came from a keen mind and decades of practice. These qualities together created a compelling legacy of images that still inspire legions of people today, more than 42 years after his passing.

My job included a variety of tasks, from putting out the trash on Thursday evenings to assisting Ansel on the largest printing project of his life, The Museum Set, and conducting technical research and testing for the revision of Ansel’s books, The Negative and The Print. Just over three months after I began working for Ansel full-time, I had the honor of assisting him when he made the official portraits of President Jimmy Carter and Vice President Mondale. We worked with both his 4×5″ view camera and the massive 20×24″ Polaroid camera.

In 1980, Ansel asked me to take over the directorship of his annual Yosemite workshops and to also be an instructor. This was a great honor, as my initial learning experience with Ansel was attending his 1973 workshop as a student—just seven years before and that experience had changed my life.

I am comfortable saying that Ansel and I had a wonderful friendship and working relationship. We spent countless hours together in the darkroom, and I had the opportunity to travel with him on many of his trips, helping with lectures, attending exhibitions, and assisting during book signings. At Brentano’s bookstore in New York City in September 1979 the line was so long it snaked around the block! A few weeks after I began, David Hume Kennerly’s iconic portrait of Ansel appeared on the cover of Time magazine—the only time a photographer has appeared on the cover of Time! His reputation then expanded to an even larger audience.

From time-to-time people have asked me what the qualifications were for being asked by Ansel to be his assistant. (I did NOT apply for the position!). Well, based on this Polaroid SX-70 it would appear that I satisfactorily met the following criteria:

– Beard
– Glasses
– Enjoy refreshing beverages (for medicinal purposed only!)
– Wear a bolo tie
– Wear a cowboy hat (borrowed for the photograph, but evidently that counts!)

(Sorry, this picture could not transfer from John’s newsletter. Please see the link above. Michael Marks)

Ansel and John at Workshop Party in Yosemite
Photographer Unknown

Despite his fame, Ansel’s name and phone number were always listed in the phone book. Almost every day, a photographer would arrive at 5 p.m. with their portfolio nervously in hand, hoping to share it with Ansel and seek his honest comments. I remember the first time I visited Ansel at his home in September 1973. It was an amazing experience, and I tried to visit three or four times a year with new work as the years passed and our friendship grew.

Ansel was a wonderful and generous mentor. He had no secrets and loved to share and encourage others in their photography. He believed in my abilities as a teacher so much that he proposed I work a four-day week. If I worked five days a week, I would accumulate a week off every month. He wanted me to continue teaching my own workshop programs and those offered by the Friends of Photography, in addition to his own workshops.

One of the joys of the job was laughing and telling jokes with Ansel. Everyone who knew him well agrees that Ansel loved to laugh. It may have been a type of release valve for the intensity with which he approached his photography, environmental activism, writing, teaching, and many other things. Ansel often said his least favorite day of the week was Sunday–as he didn’t have anyone around to help him, so he couldn’t get as much done that day!

When I arrived at Ansel’s that first morning, I found a one-page letter on my desk outlining my new responsibilities. This humorous and cherished note served as my ‘job description.’ One excerpt reads, It will be a Godsend if things are put in their Right Places and so listed. I have all the “stock” to open a Flea Market!! The image was made as we gathered Ansel’s photographic equipment in preparation for our departure to his annual Yosemite Workshops, and might offer evidence to support his statement.

(Sorry, this picture could not transfer from John’s newsletter. Please see the link above. Michael Marks)

After 45 years, I remain grateful for the wonderful experience I had serving as his assistant from 1979 until late 1982. When we decided it was time for me to go out on my own, and for Chris Rainier to take over as Photographic Assistant, Ansel proposed creating a new position for me as his Technical Consultant. Ansel and I continued to work on projects together, from time to time I processed film for him, and I tried to help him in every possible way while pursuing my own photography. I remained his consultant until he passed away April 22, 1984. Over the years, I have also served as Special Projects Consultant to The Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust.

Reflecting on the experiences I’ve had since receiving the unexpected job offer from Ansel early in the morning of March 15, 1979, I realize how fortunate I have been. This opportunity, combined with the privilege of pursuing my own photographic career and teaching photography for over half a century, makes me feel incredibly lucky. As Ansel often said, The harder you work, the luckier you get!

Stay well,

Michael