Nick Brandt, On This Earth

[doughowk]

Just received Brandt's book (early Christmas present); and have to say its one of best wildlife books I've seen. The animal "portraits" remind me of Yousuf Karsh. The landscape views look 19th century. Some of the IR images such as "giraffe & baby under trees" are stunning. Overall, a remarkable book.

 

[pharquarx]

I would have to agree. I asked for and received this book for my recent birthday. It was the only photography related book that I wanted this year and I was absolutely stunned by the images in it as well as the insight within the accompanying essays. I have been carrying the book with me to work/home/work again just to pick it up and look through it again and again. I had heard of Nick Brandt originally through the IJC-OPM software to support B and W printing on the Epson 2200.

All of us should be so lucky to be able to generate a concise, focused, and powerful portfolio during the course of our efforts. Highly recommended.

Charlie

 

[david b]

I've seen the actual photographs here in Santa Fe and they are quite nice.

 

[John Koehrer]

Seem a tad bit heavy handed on the photoshop end to me.

 

[Paul Sorensen]

Seem a tad bit heavy handed on the photoshop end to me.

According to the interview in the last LensWork he doesn't "manipulate" the images in photoshop beyond basic darkroom type of things such as dodging, burning, etc. He does then go on to mention superimposing a border on the images in Photoshop, but that the "actual integrity of the underlying image of the animal within the landscape is all there on the negative." In an answer to a different quesion he states that the blurring is "all on the negative. You couldn't imitate those different planes of focus in Photoshop."

I saw the spread in LensWork before reading the interview and thought that the images were Photoshopped to hell. After reading the interview I am not sure what to think.

 

[Peter Williams]

I agree that his images are great - I actually ordered my first ever Lenswork Extended CD because of his spread in the current issue. I am also not completely convinced about the planes of focus. Whether or not they are PSed - the images are remarkable and I will probably track the book down before too long. The IR images are especially stunning. I will probably buy some IR film and hit the zoo

 

[michaelsalomon]

I picked up the book a week ago, after reading about Mr. Brandt and seeing some of his work - very glad I purchased the book, top rate photography in my opinion.

 

[donbga]

Seem a tad bit heavy handed on the photoshop end to me.

So who cares if PS was used. The images are great.

Don Bryant

 

[nick mulder]

So who cares if PS was used. The images are great.

Don Bryant

heh, resurrecting an old thread here, but I just had a look at this book and felt that even if done in the darkroom the selective focus was just too extreme. If it was done in photoshop then well, $#!t why dont we all just get in on that action ($$$).

Having used a view camera and a tilt-shift lens on a couple of occasions in which I know that the same (almost) but genuine effect could be achieved with I guess I feel a little cheated ... Heck, even a lensbaby would do...

But thats the analog photographer in me.

My mother commented on the 'lovely lovely blossoms!' I explained that it was IR photography and her garden out back would look the same with the right film and filter...

Still though, some great moments - I wish I could see the original negs though