By the 20th century, the American West was less exotic and more familiar. As a result, photographers produced images that celebrated the land. In 1941, the National Park Service commissioned Ansel Adams to create a photo mural for the Department of the Interior Building in Washington, D.C.

Most of Adams' photographs for this project were taken at U.S. National Parks, including Yellowstone. Unfortunately, the outbreak of World War II halted the project, and it was never finished. Nonetheless, Adams is probably one of the most well-known photographers of the black and white print. Perhaps you have seen his landscape images on posters, postcards, and calendars.

In this photograph of Yellowstone, Adams uses a sharp, controlled focus to convey both the vast scale and intimate detail of the park's landscape.

Illustration: Ansel Adams. Stream winding back toward geyser, "Central Geyser Basin, YNP," Wyoming. National Archives and Records Administration. NWDNS-79-AA-T01.