George Lauterstein

August 17, 1933 – April 14, 2003

Read A tribute from George’s wife Cheryl

“The first view was perfectly glorious. A massive cloud of pure pearl luster, apparently as fixed and calm as the meadows and groves in the shadow beneath it, was arched across the Valley from wall to wall, one end resting on the grand abutment of El Capitan, the other on Cathedral Rock.”

John Muir, The Yosemite

George converted from color to black & white photography after viewing a selection of Ansel Adams’ prints in Yosemite, an encounter that prompted him to begin a quest to understand and refine the art of the black and white print.

Merced River at Sundown

It was made with a 28mm Elmarit, 20 minutes at f22. The light was very low
late in the afternoon.

Film was Ilford’s PanF Plus
developed in ID-11.

This image was made very near that of the first but in the winter.

Used a 35mm Summicron, 1/4 second at f16. Focus was placed approximately ten feet behind the tree to maintain sharpness throughout the image.

Film was Ilford’s PanF Plus
developed in ID-11.