Sam Abell
Sam Abell
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Sam Abell is a renowned American landscape photographer known for his iconic images of the natural world.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born on September 25, 1945, in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. Currently active in photography.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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American, Photographer
Early Life and Background
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Sam Abell grew up in the Midwest, surrounded by the vast plains of America's heartland. His early life was marked by a deep connection to nature, which would later become the driving force behind his photographic career. Abell studied English at Ohio University before moving to New York City to pursue a career in photography.
Major Accomplishments
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Abell's work has been featured in numerous publications, including _National Geographic_ and _Life Magazine_. He is known for his ability to capture the subtleties of light and atmosphere in his photographs. Abell's portfolio includes some of the most iconic images of the American landscape, from the Grand Canyon to the Mississippi River.
Notable Works or Actions
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Abell's most notable work includes his series "The Americans," which features hauntingly beautiful images of the country's rural landscapes. He is also known for his portraits of American workers and farmers, highlighting their struggles and triumphs in the face of a rapidly changing world. Abell has traveled extensively throughout his career, capturing images of some of the most remote and inhospitable regions on earth.
Impact and Legacy
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Abell's work has had a profound impact on the world of photography. His ability to capture the beauty and fragility of the natural world has inspired generations of photographers and artists. Abell's legacy extends beyond his photographs, as he has helped to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote a deeper appreciation for the importance of preserving our planet's natural resources.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Abell's work is widely quoted and remembered due to its timeless beauty and profound impact on our understanding of the world around us. His ability to capture the essence of the American landscape has made him a beloved figure in the world of photography, while his commitment to environmental issues has earned him a reputation as a passionate advocate for preserving our planet's natural resources.
Photography Style
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Abell's photographs are characterized by their use of available light and their focus on capturing the subtleties of atmosphere. His work often features sweeping vistas and intimate portraits, showcasing both the grandeur and fragility of the natural world.
Awards and Honors
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Throughout his career, Abell has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship and a Guggenheim Fellowship.
Exhibitions
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Abell's photographs have been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C.
By understanding Abell's life and work, readers can gain insight into his unique perspective on the natural world and the impact that his photographs have had on our collective understanding of the environment.
Quotes by Sam Abell
Sam Abell's insights on:
I had luck, but I worked hard and I suffered. It’s not just photography I’m talking about. It’s about whatever dream you want it to be.
There isn’t an aspect of book creation I don’t enjoy, and there has always been a book in my life to dream about or work on.
When I first went to ‘National Geographic,’ I thought I was the least qualified person to step through the doors. But because of my parents and the culture of continual learning they imposed on us, I later came to believe I was the most qualified person who ever worked there.
In almost every photograph I have ever made, there is something I would do to complete it. I take that to be the spirit hole or the deliberate mistake that’s in a Navajo rug to not be godlike, but to be human.
Above all, it’s hard learning to live with vivid mental images of scenes I cared for and failed to photograph. It is the edgy existence within me of these unmade images that is the only assurance that the best photographs are yet to be made.
How the visual world appears is important to me. I’m always aware of the light. I’m always aware of what I would call the ‘deep composition.’ Photography in the field is a process of creation, of thought and technique. But ultimately, it’s an act of imaginatively seeing from within yourself.
There are a lot of ways to be expressive in life, but I wasn’t good at some of them. Music, for instance. I was a distinct failure with the cello. Eventually, my parents sold the cello and bought a vacuum cleaner. The sound in our home improved.
I think of myself as a writer who photographs. Images, for me, can be considered poems, short stories or essays. And I’ve always thought the best place for my photographs was inside books of my own creation.
Life rarely presents fully finished photographs. An image evolves, often from a single strand of visual interest – a distant horizon, a moment of light, a held expression.
Photography, alone of the arts, seems perfected to serve the desire humans have for a moment – this very moment – to stay.