The photograph titled “Baton practice at the Manzanar War Relocation Center” was taken by Ansel Adams in 1943. Ansel Adams, renowned for his black-and-white landscape photographs, captured this image within the genre of photojournalism. This particular photograph documents a moment of normalcy amidst the backdrop of internment during World War II in the United States.
The artwork is a black-and-white photograph capturing a young woman in mid-motion as she practices baton-twirling. She is standing with her arms outstretched, holding a baton in each hand. One baton is captured mid-air above her, suggesting she has just tossed it while the other is extended out to her side, demonstrating the fluidity and motion of her performance. The young woman is wearing a dark blazer over a patterned blouse and a light-colored mid-length skirt that drapes naturally as she moves. Her hair is styled in curls, which provides a softer texture against the stark background. The sky behind her is almost clear, with very faint clouds, accentuating the subject and giving the image a serene appearance despite the historical context of the location. The lighting and composition highlight Ansel Adams’s skill in portraying the dignity and resilience of his subjects, even under challenging circumstances.