California Geographies

Here are two views of Half Dome in Yosemite Valley. The painting on the left was made by Gregory Kondos in 1993, and he painted Half Dome from the southwest, likely from Glacier Point. He shows the rock formation as a light, solitary character among the rest of Yosemite's geographical features. Compare this with the 1927 photograph by Ansel Adams. Here Half Dome is an imposing figure, taking up nearly the whole composition. The dark rock face is a stark contrast to the white snow, adding to the drama of the scene.

Look For: The difference in size and shape of the “visor,” the rock ledge that sticks out from the summit of Half Dome.

Compare these two depictions of Santa Monica State Beach. John Frosts’s 1921 painting places the viewer just south of the Santa Monica Pier, a landmark and major tourist destination. Crowds of people sit under umbrellas, while others play in the sand and waves. Danuta Otfinowski’s 1977 photograph also shows many people visiting the beach, but this time the viewer is placed north of the pier and further from the shore, likely near the Ocean Front Walk. In both depictions of the beach, the Santa Monica Mountains can be seen in the distance.

Look For: The expansion of the beach through years of depositing additional sand to make it bigger, flatter, and better for tourism.