Moon and Half Dome Value Guide

Captured in 1960 with a Hasselblad camera, Moon and Half Dome is one of Ansel Adams' most commercially successful and recognizable works. This silver gelatin print exemplifies his mastery of the Zone System, showcasing the stark, dramatic contrast between the luminous moon and the shadowed granite of Yosemite.

What affects the value of Moon and Half Dome?

• The specific printing date, as prints made personally by Adams during his lifetime command higher prices than posthumous editions.
• The physical condition of the silver gelatin print, specifically looking for silvering, foxing, or yellowing of the mounting board.
• The presence of a verified signature and original framing materials from the 1960-1980 era.
• The size of the print, with larger format silver gelatin examples typically reaching the higher end of the $4,500-$5,000 value range.

How to Identify Moon and Half Dome?

• Verify the presence of the photographer's signature, typically located on the lower right of the mounting board.
• Examine the print for the characteristic high-contrast tonal range of the Zone System, specifically the deep blacks in the granite shadows.
• Check for authentic gallery labels or stamps on the reverse of the frame, often from the Ansel Adams Gallery or Yosemite Park and Curry Co.
• Inspect the paper texture and silver gelatin finish, which should show no pixelation or modern digital printing artifacts.

History of Moon and Half Dome

First captured by Ansel Adams in 1960 using a Hasselblad camera, this image became one of his most recognizable and commercially successful works. It exemplifies his mastery of the Zone System, capturing the stark contrast between the luminous moon and the shadowed granite face of Half Dome. Adams was a lifelong advocate for environmental conservation, and his dramatic landscapes were instrumental in the expansion of the National Park System.