In my mind's eye, I visualize how a particular ... sight and feeling will appear on a print. If it excites me, there is a good chance it will make a good photograph. It is an intuitive sense, an ability that comes from a lot of practice.

More from Ansel Adams

• In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration.
• Millions of men have lived to fight, build palaces and boundaries, shape destinies and societies; but the compelling force of all times has been the force of originality and creation profoundly affecting the roots of human spirit.
• Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter.
• The negative is comparable to the composer's score and the print to its performance. Each performance differs in subtle ways.
• There is nothing worse than a brilliant image of a fuzzy concept.
• You don't take a photograph, you make it.