Gallery

Harry Adams was a preeminent African American community photographer of Los Angeles for nearly three decades, until his death at age 66 in 1985. His first work was as a free-lance news photographer for the California Eagle and the Los Angeles Sentinel. Later, he was better known for his portraits of politicians, entertainers and society figures.

According to Libby Clark, longtime food editor at the Sentinel, Adams was known as “One-Shot Harry” for his ability to get it right the first time.

Here, honoring Black History Month, are a few of Adams’ photos from the archives of the Black Gallery in Los Angeles.