Dorthea Lange and Ansel Adams are two of the most well-known photographers of the 20th century. Lange humanized American's struggle for economic and social justice through her documentary photography, while Adams' landscapes spurred environmental protection of the wild places of the American West. These two household names had already defined Western portraiture and landscape when Adams and Lange undertook a joint venture to document the changing ways of life in three Mormon towns (St. George, Toquerville, & Gunlock.)
The story of making "Three Mormon Towns" is about the struggle between art and religion and difficulties in collaboration. "Three Mormon Towns" was the first photographic project Lange did after years of illness kept her from photography. It was also the last documentary project collaboration Ansel Adams & Dorothea Lange ever did. Mark Hedengran is editor of a new book "Ansel Adams & Dorothea Lange's Three Mormon Towns." He joins us along with photographer Mary Ellen Mark, who wrote the foreward. An exhibit is ongoing into January at the St. George Museum of Art.
