A Timeless Perspective: From Ansel Adams to Chicago Commercial Photography

While our vehicle platform is inspired by Ansel Adams’ legendary setup, our goals are uniquely different. Adams used his elevated platform to capture the sweeping, untamed scale of the American wilderness, rising above the brush to find a clear line of sight to a mountain peak.

For us, that same elevation is a critical tool for architectural photography. In an urban environment like Chicago, a few extra feet of height changes everything. It allows us to clear street-level 'noise'—like parked cars, traffic, and pedestrians—while squaring our camera with the building's facade. This higher vantage point reduces 'keystoning' (the tilting effect seen in tall buildings) and allows us to capture the true geometry and grandeur of a structure, just as the architect intended.

Ansel Adams' Mobile Studio

In the mid-20th century, Ansel Adams, a master of landscape photography, modified his circa 1947–48 Pontiac Streamliner woody wagon into a mobile darkroom and camera platform. This innovative setup allowed him to minimize foreground distractions and capture the majestic, expansive views of the American West that became his signature style. Famously, the height he gained from this mobile perch was critical in achieving the precise angle needed for his iconic "Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico" photograph in 1941.

Chicago Commercial Photography Mobile Studio Today

Much like Adams' creative solution to a photographic challenge, our team at Chicago Commercial Photography uses a specialized, elevated platform on our Nissan NV200 van. This modern approach to an age-old problem allows us to gain unique, superior vantage points for complex commercial projects across Chicago.

This shared philosophy demonstrates that while the technology and the vehicles may change, the fundamental drive to innovate and find the perfect perspective is a timeless pursuit that connects our modern commercial work directly to the legacy of a master like Ansel Adams.