Robert Adams: California

These images from the Los Angeles Basin explore social and ecological disintegration, while insisting on a persistent strength of nature—that of the land and our own—as a reason for hope.

A black and white photograph of a tree trunk on the right, with a thin branch in silhouette on the left

Black-and-white photograph of trees against a slate grey sky

Black-and-white photograph of a landscape with mountain on the horizon

Black-and-white photograph of a large plant in the center of the frame against a cloudy sky

Black-and-white photograph of a broken tree against a smoggy sky

Black-and-white photograph of light streaming over a hillside with a freeway to the left

Black-and-white photograph of a rock formation against a bright clear sky

Black-and-white photograph with a flower bush in the foreground, houses and mountains in the distance, against a cloudy sky

Black-and-white photograph of a treelined street with parked cars

Black-and-white photograph of two leaning palm trees crossed to form an "x"

Black and white photograph of a road through tall eucalyptus trees.

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Robert Adams: California

These images from the Los Angeles Basin explore social and ecological disintegration, while insisting on a persistent strength of nature—that of the land and our own—as a reason for hope.

Robert AdamsEucalyptus, Fontana, California

1982

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

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Robert AdamsBroken trees, near Box Springs Mountains, east of Riverside, California

1982

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

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Robert AdamsLooking into the San Bernardino Mountains from east of Mentone, California

1982

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

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Robert AdamsCentury plant, near Ontario, California

1983

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

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Robert AdamsLooking Toward Los Angeles, Northeast of Riverside, California

ca. 1983

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

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Robert AdamsInterstate 10, east edge of Redlands, California

1982

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

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Robert AdamsOn top of one of the La Loma Hills, Colton, California

1983

gelatin silver print, 15-1/2 x 14 inches (mount) [31.4 x 35.6 cm]

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Robert AdamsRedlands, California

1983

gelatin silver print, 9-3/4 x 13-7/8 inches (sheet) [24.8 x 35.2 cm]

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Robert AdamsRedlands, California

1982

gelatin silver print, 14 x 15-1/2 inches

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Robert AdamsDead palms, partially uprooted, Ontario, California

1983

gelatin silver print, 16 x 20 inches (sheet) [40.6 x 50.8 cm]

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Robert AdamsEucalyptus alley, Riverside, California

1978

gelatin silver print, 14 x 11 inches (sheet) [35.6 x 27.9 cm]

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Related Portfolios

A black and white photograph of an empty street lined with businesses.

Robert Adams: The New West

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Robert Adams: The New West

In a seminal series of images representing the suburban Southwest, Adams shows the brutal squalor of suburban architecture and its effect on the landscape, as well as the hopeful aspects of nature that are beyond our impact.

A black and white photograph overlooking a small town with mountains and clouds in the distance. — Robert Adams, Golden, Colorado, 1969

gelatin silver print, 13 x 11 inches (mount) [33 x 27.9 cm]

A black and white photograph of a billboard advertising Howard Johnson's against pine trees and a river in the foreground. — Robert Adams, Clear Creek, near Idaho Springs, 1968-72

gelatin silver print, 13 x 11 inches (mount) [33 x 27.9 cm]

A black and white photograph of a bush and a guardrail on a freeway embankment. — Robert Adams, Along Interstate 25, 1970-72

gelatin silver print, 13 x 11 inches (mount) [33 x 27.9 cm]

A black and white photograph of trees in an open field, with telephone lines running diagonally through the sky. — Robert Adams, Grazing Land with Pines, near Falcon, Colorado, 1968-72

gelatin silver print, 13 x 11 inches (mount) [33 x 27.9 cm]

A black and white photograph of an empty gas station with a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in the back ground. — Robert Adams, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1968-71

gelatin silver print, 13 x 11 inches (mount) [33 x 27.9 cm]

A black and white photograph of a lone person digging with mountains in the background. — Robert Adams, Basement for a tract house, Colorado Springs, 1969

gelatin silver print, 13 x 11 inches (mount) [33 x 27.9 cm]

Robert AdamsAlameda Avenue, Denver

1971

gelatin silver print, 13 x 11 inches (mount) [33 x 27.9 cm]

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Robert AdamsGolden, Colorado

1969

gelatin silver print, 13 x 11 inches (mount) [33 x 27.9 cm]

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Robert AdamsClear Creek, near Idaho Springs

1968-72

gelatin silver print, 13 x 11 inches (mount) [33 x 27.9 cm]

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Robert AdamsAlong Interstate 25

1970-72

gelatin silver print, 13 x 11 inches (mount) [33 x 27.9 cm]

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Robert AdamsGrazing Land with Pines, near Falcon, Colorado

1968-72

gelatin silver print, 13 x 11 inches (mount) [33 x 27.9 cm]

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Robert AdamsColorado Springs, Colorado

1968-71

gelatin silver print, 13 x 11 inches (mount) [33 x 27.9 cm]

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Robert AdamsBasement for a tract house, Colorado Springs

1969

gelatin silver print, 13 x 11 inches (mount) [33 x 27.9 cm]

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A black and white photograph of three construction workers on the roofs of unfinished houses.

Robert Adams: Denver

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Robert Adams: Denver

An objective look at a man-made cityscape, abutted by the magnificent rise of the Rocky Mountains. “Many have asked, pointing incredulously toward a sweep of tract houses and billboards, why picture that?… One reason is…we need to improve things at home, and that to do it we have to see the facts without blinking.” – Robert Adams

A black and white photograph of a line of trees reflected in a pond. — Robert Adams, A Farm Pond about to be Destroyed by Earth Moving Machinery, Northglenn, Colorado, 1973

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

A black and white photograph of a suburban house. — Robert Adams, North Denver, Colorado, ca. 1975

gelatin silver print, 15-1/2 x 14 inches (mount) [31.4 x 35.6 cm]

A black and white photograph of a river with trees and telephone wires in the background. — Robert Adams, The South Platte River, Adams County, Colorado, 1973

gelatin silver print, 15-1/2 x 14 inches (mount) [31.4 x 35.6 cm]

A black and white photograph of an apartment building and parked cars in shadow against a clear sky. — Robert Adams, An apartment block. Longmont, Colorado, 1973-74

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

A black and white photograph of an industrial area with parking lots and cars. — Robert Adams, Denver, Colorado, 1973

gelatin silver print, 15-1/2 x 14 inches (mount) [31.4 x 35.6 cm]

A black and white photograph of a lone tree and suburban houses against a cloudy sky. — Robert Adams, Longmont, Colorado, 1973

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

A black and white photograph of a brightly lit excavated area with a line of houses on the horizon. — Robert Adams, Colorado, ca. 1973

gelatin silver print, 13 x 11 inches (mount) [33.0 x 27.9 cm]

A black and white photograph of a pickup truck camper parked in the driveway of a suburban house. — Robert Adams, Denver, Colorado, ca. 1973

gelatin silver print, 8 x 10 inches (sheet) [20.3 x 25.4 cm]

A black and white photograph of the backyards of suburban houses with an above ground swimming pool in the center and a bill board on the left side. — Robert Adams, Northglenn, Colorado, 1973

gelatin silver print, 15-1/2 x 14 inches (mount) [31.4 x 35.6 cm]

Robert AdamsColorado

1973-74

gelatin silver print, 11-1/8 x 13 inches (mount) [28.3 x 33.0 cm]

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Robert AdamsA Farm Pond about to be Destroyed by Earth Moving Machinery, Northglenn, Colorado

1973

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

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Robert AdamsNorth Denver, Colorado

ca. 1975

gelatin silver print, 15-1/2 x 14 inches (mount) [31.4 x 35.6 cm]

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Robert AdamsThe South Platte River, Adams County, Colorado

1973

gelatin silver print, 15-1/2 x 14 inches (mount) [31.4 x 35.6 cm]

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Robert AdamsAn apartment block. Longmont, Colorado

1973-74

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

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Robert AdamsDenver, Colorado

1973

gelatin silver print, 15-1/2 x 14 inches (mount) [31.4 x 35.6 cm]

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Robert AdamsLongmont, Colorado

1973

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

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Robert AdamsColorado

ca. 1973

gelatin silver print, 13 x 11 inches (mount) [33.0 x 27.9 cm]

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Robert AdamsDenver, Colorado

ca. 1973

gelatin silver print, 8 x 10 inches (sheet) [20.3 x 25.4 cm]

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Robert AdamsNorthglenn, Colorado

1973

gelatin silver print, 15-1/2 x 14 inches (mount) [31.4 x 35.6 cm]

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Black and white photograph of open grasslands with a small cluster of trees and houses in the distance, under a cloudy sky.

Robert Adams: Prairie

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Robert Adams: Prairie

These quiet and poignant photographs of the American Prairie and its inhabitants describe a humble perseverance, and a reason for hope.

Black and white photograph of grain elevators, flanked on the right by an empty road. — Robert Adams, Elevators. Benkelman, Nebraska, 1965

gelatin silver print, 15-1/2 x 14 inches (mount) [39.4 x 35.6 cm]

A black and white photograph of two children looking out the rear window of a beat up early 1950's Ford pick up truck. — Robert Adams, Boys in a pickup. Simla, Colorado, 1970

gelatin silver print, 6-3/8 x 6-3/8 inches (sheet) [16.2 x 16.2 cm]

Black and white photograph of two station wagons parked in front of buildings on a dirt road. — Robert Adams, Limon, Colorado, 1970

gelatin silver print, 13 x 11 inches (mount) [33.0 x 27.9 cm]

A black and white photograph with trees, a wire fence, a tricycle at the left side of the image, a wagon at the right side of the image and a barn in the background. — Robert Adams, Farmyard. South of Arriba, Colorado, 1969

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

A black and white photograph of a road, with sky in the first half of the photograph. A telephone pole is in the center left — Robert Adams, Near Peyton, Colorado, 1968

gelatin silver print, 10 x 8 inches (sheet) [25.4 x 20.3 cm]

A black and white photograph of empty fairgrounds with a water tank in the distance and a brightly lit clear sky. — Robert Adams, El Paso County Fairgrounds. Calhan, Colorado, 1968

gelatin silver print, 8 x 10 inches (sheet) [20.3 x 25.4 cm]

A black and white photograph of a train car, a windowless structure, and silos against a brightly lit sky and telephone wires. — Robert Adams, Stoneham, Colorado, 1966

gelatin silver print, 14 x 15-1/2 inches (mount) [35.6 x 39.4 cm]

A black and white photograph of a playground with teeter totters, a slide, and a telephone pole with wires. A wooden structure in the background against a bright clear sky. — Robert Adams, Schoolyard, Ramah, Colorado, 1968

gelatin silver print, 8 x 10 inches (sheet) [20.3 x 25.4 cm]

An empty stage with multiple framed photographs of graduating students, a curtain at the left side of the image and single wooden folding chair at right side of the image. — Robert Adams, Pictures of graduating classes, on a stage at the endof a gymnasium in a consolidated school (closed),New Raymer, Weld County, Colorado, 1970

gelatin silver print, 15-1/2 x 14 inches (mount) [31.4 x 35.6 cm]

A vertical black and white photograph of an old wooden church with trees at each side and a clear bright sky. — Robert Adams, Catholic church, winter. Ramah, Colorado, 1965-6

gelatin silver print, 10 x 8 inches (sheet) [25.4 x 20.3 cm]

A vertical black and white photograph of an old wooden church with trees at each side and a cloudy sky. — Robert Adams, Catholic church, summer. Ramah, Colorado, 1965

gelatin silver print, 10 x 8 inches (sheet) [25.4 x 20.3 cm]

Robert AdamsRanch. Northeast of Keota, Colorado

1969

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

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Robert AdamsElevators. Benkelman, Nebraska

1965

gelatin silver print, 15-1/2 x 14 inches (mount) [39.4 x 35.6 cm]

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Robert AdamsBoys in a pickup. Simla, Colorado

1970

gelatin silver print, 6-3/8 x 6-3/8 inches (sheet) [16.2 x 16.2 cm]

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Robert AdamsLimon, Colorado

1970

gelatin silver print, 13 x 11 inches (mount) [33.0 x 27.9 cm]

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Robert AdamsFarmyard. South of Arriba, Colorado

1969

gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 inches (sheet) [27.9 x 35.6 cm]

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Robert AdamsNear Peyton, Colorado

1968

gelatin silver print, 10 x 8 inches (sheet) [25.4 x 20.3 cm]

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Robert AdamsEl Paso County Fairgrounds. Calhan, Colorado

1968

gelatin silver print, 8 x 10 inches (sheet) [20.3 x 25.4 cm]

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Robert AdamsStoneham, Colorado

1966

gelatin silver print, 14 x 15-1/2 inches (mount) [35.6 x 39.4 cm]

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Robert AdamsSchoolyard, Ramah, Colorado

1968

gelatin silver print, 8 x 10 inches (sheet) [20.3 x 25.4 cm]

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Robert AdamsPictures of graduating classes, on a stage at the endof a gymnasium in a consolidated school (closed),New Raymer, Weld County, Colorado

1970

gelatin silver print, 15-1/2 x 14 inches (mount) [31.4 x 35.6 cm]

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Robert AdamsCatholic church, winter. Ramah, Colorado

1965-6

gelatin silver print, 10 x 8 inches (sheet) [25.4 x 20.3 cm]

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Robert AdamsCatholic church, summer. Ramah, Colorado

1965

gelatin silver print, 10 x 8 inches (sheet) [25.4 x 20.3 cm]

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A black and white photograph with mountains and a bright cloudy sky.

Robert Adams: From the Missouri West

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Robert Adams: From the Missouri West

Looking at rivers, mountains, and flats stretching from the Missouri River to the Pacific Ocean, and our human mark upon the landscape, the artist reveals a deep faith in the strength and tenacity of the land.