Knowing Where to Stand | Alan Ross and Greg Piazza by bakerschorrfineart

KNOWING WHERE TO STAND ALAN ROSS GREG PIAZZA

ALAN ROSS

GREG PIAZZA

Alan Ross is an internationally respected master photographer and educator known for his tonally exquisite black and white images of the American West. He honed his vision and technique while working sideby-side with Ansel Adams as his full-time photographic assistant. He was integrally involved with Adams’ books, teaching in Yosemite and production of fine prints. Alan was personally selected by Adams to be the exclusive printer of the Yosemite Special Edition Photograph negatives, an assignment he has enjoyed for over 46 years.

Greg Piazza is an award-winning Dallas photographer and painter frequently featured in contemporary and fine art publications. Born in Houma, LA in 1979, Greg grew up surrounded by nature in the sugar cane fields and bayous of South Louisiana. He moved to Dallas, Texas in 2002 and has since exhibited in numerous juried exhibitions including: Camera 2021, The National: Best of Contemporary Photography 2018 and 2017 Fort Works Art, 40 Under 40. Greg’s exhibition history includes shows in Dallas, Fort Worth, New York, Scottsdale, Naples, Denver, Ann Arbor, Fort Wayne, and Waterbury. His artworks have been collected by the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, The Mattatuck Museum, and numerous private and corporate collectors.

In 1979 Alan opened a commercial photography studio in San Francisco where he worked on projects ranging from campaigns for the Bank of America to landscape murals for the National Park Service. He relocated to Santa Fe in 1993 and enjoys pursuing his art, teaching, writing articles and blogs, and traveling the globe speaking about his years with Ansel Adams and the impact that had on his own work. Alan is an educator who shares his vast knowledge of traditional film photography, inspiring professionals and amateurs to realize and refine their photographic voice. His photography hangs in collections, galleries and museums around the world, including the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Huntington Library and the Center for Creative Photography. 2

Greg began making art to cope with the loss of his brother in 2004, finding peace in creating simple compositions focusing on contrasting color, shape, and texture. In 2007, Greg’s work shifted as he explored how environment shapes our thoughts and emotions. He seeks out remote landscapes through which he can find a simple and calming connection back to his brother. Greg’s photographs consistently include permanent subjects such as mountains, boulders, or architecture juxtaposed with moving elements such as clouds or water. Greg has worked with Alan Ross on fine-tuning his approach to processing and printing.

KNOWING WHERE TO STAND The power of photography cannot be overstated. Through his or her lens, the visionary photographer invites the viewer into new worlds of beauty, form and insight. Ansel Adams said “a good photograph is knowing where to stand” and I would add, knowing who to stand next to. This exhibition of works by Alan Ross and Greg Piazza primarily features landscapes of the American West. The magnificent images highlight not just physical position and technical mastery, but the aspects of seeing and relationship that set the stage for a successful picture. For artists throughout history, mentors and teachers, friends and family members, and of course the viewer, play a role in the unfolding drama of a painting or photograph.

Figures are not visible in most of the 30 photographs in this collection, and yet, they are there. Alan Ross was mentored by Ansel Adams through much of his career. Greg Piazza in turn has been mentored by Alan Ross in fine tuning his printing and processing. This collaboration exemplifies the invaluable thread of mentoring which stretches not just into art history, but far into the future. “There are two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer,” Ansel Adams famously suggested. We are glad you’re in the picture and look forward to welcoming you to this inspiring exhibition. Come and see. Kathryn Schorr

Alan Ross is an internationally respected master photographer and educator whose photographs hang in collections around the world. He honed his vision and technique while working side-by-side with Ansel Adams as his full-time photographic assistant.

Baker Schorr Fine Art, Midland, Texas

Greg Piazza of Dallas, Texas is an award-winning photographer and painter whose work explores the influence of environment on our thoughts and emotions, juxtaposing permanent subjects with moving elements in his compositions.

Greg Piazza Pilgrims Creek Cottonwood, Grand Teton National Park, 2021

Alan Ross Gates of the Valley, Autumn Storm Yosemite National Park, 2000

Alan Ross Ansel Adams at Inspiration Point, Morning Yosemite National Park, 1976

Greg Piazza Mormon Row Barn and Tetons Storm, Grand Teton National Park, 2021

Alan Ross Badwater Pools and Sky, Sunrise Death Valley National Park, California, 2001

Alan Ross Bridalveil Fall in Storm Yosemite National Park, 1974

Greg Piazza Rain over Valley #1, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 2021

Greg Piazza Hillside Aspens, Grand Teton National Park, 2021

Alan Ross Arch, Pyramid Form Saint Louis, Missouri, 2000

Greg Piazza Split Rock, Joshua Tree National Park, 2021

Greg Piazza Clouds Over Gallisteo, Gallisteo, New Mexico, 2021

Alan Ross Church Ruin, Clouds Abiquiu, New Mexico, 1977

Alan Ross Farm and Clouds Mule Creek, New Mexico, 1986

Greg Piazza Moonrise Over Hexie Mountains, Joshua Tree National Park, 2021

Greg Piazza Costilla Overlook, Costilla, New Mexico, 2021 18

Alan Ross Monument Valley, Evening Clouds Utah, looking over to Arizona, 2004

Alan Ross Sandstorm, White Spray Great Sand Dunes National Park, 1997

Greg Piazza A River Runs Through It #5, Costilla, New Mexico, 2021

Gregg Piazza Glowing Lamar Valley Cottonwood, Yellowstone National Park, 2021

Alan Ross Rocks and Mist Otter Cove, Big Sur, 1980

Cover image: Alan Ross, Moon and Clouds near Banff, Canada, 1975 Inside cover: Alan Ross, Open Window, New York, 1979 Page 1: Greg Piazza, detail, Moonrise Over Hexie Mountains, Joshua Tree National Park, 2021 Inside back cover: Alan Ross, Ansel Adams and Georgia O’Keeffe, Chez Adams, Carmel, California, 1976 Back cover: Greg Piazza, detail, Clouds Over Gallisteo, Gallisteo, New Mexico, 2021 Design by Lilla Hangay, Santa Fe, NM Printing: Capital Printing, Austin, TX © Copyright 2022. All rights reserved. No portion of this catalog may be reproduced, stored in any form, of transmitted by any means, without written permission from Baker Schorr Fine Art. Kathryn Schorr, owner/director Audrey Grimes, gallery associate Wesley Ellis, gallery associate

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