Botanica [Hardcover]

Howard Schatz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 17, 2005

From the exotic - angel's trumpets, passion flowers and pincushions - to the familiar - lillies, roses and begonias - the flowers Schatz photographs have never looked quite like this before, and yet it is their natural beauty that shines through every page of this sumptuous volume. Annotations at the back of the book, accompanied by miniature reproductions of the full-page plates, identify each variety and provide both common and Latin names. Schatz's unique presentation and photographic style make this a compelling gift for both flower lovers and connoisseurs of fine photography.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This oversized collection of Schatz's photographs of exotic flowers serves as a venue not only for Schatz's technical skill, but his eye for composition and color. A brilliant sense of texture is realized in Schatz's ability to create the look of feathers-and even fabric-with these heavily stylized flora. Shot using a powerful macro lens and bold lighting, the flowers fairly glow with color and, when set against stark monochrome backgrounds, the images exude on a nearly spectral feel. Each of the full-sized photographs has a corresponding thumbnail in the book's quasi-index, with both common and Latin names listed. Though many of the images appear to be digitally enhanced, Schatz doesn't discuss his process in detail, which may cause some hard-line photography purists to balk. Greenthumbs will appreciate the way Schatz transforms common flowers (roses, tulips, carnations and the like) into stunning studies of form, line and light, bringing a fresh perspective to mundane objects. His photographs of exotic flowers are similarly beautiful, making this a gift for flower or fine photography enthusiasts.
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Review

'Schatz combines exquisite image detail, intensity and contrasting light with expression of line, colour and shape. Ordinary and familiar flowers are dramatically transformed from reality to imagination and back again. It seems that through Schatz's uncanny ability to pre-visualise through the macro lens, the true essence of a plant is revealed...This is a book for plant lovers, photographers, design and horticultural professional and botanists alike' - NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 156 pages
• Publisher: Bulfinch (October 17, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821261738
• ISBN-13: 978-0821261736
• Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 0.8 x 12.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,016,700 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I wish I had kinder words, November 22, 2005

By 

D. Laronde (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Botanica (Hardcover)

With much anticipation I purchased this book prior to it's release. Having already owned most of the other books published by Mr. Schatz and even the odd print I felt that it was not much of a leap of faith. To say that the book is dissappointing is to say that "The Care Bear Movie II: The New Generation" was not a great movie. The book is simply horrible. Like the idea of remaking the Care Bear Movie II but in an unknown language with subtitles I wonder why it was done at all. I wish I had kinder words but the book leaves me with a real sense of bewilderment - Why? Why sooo bad? The dreadful composition. The alien color. The amount of work that is out of focus (which is not a skillful use of a technique but just a disaster)does not work for this subject matter. The idea was solid but the execution screams out that it was put together in one evening after a few beers.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breathtaking, December 7, 2005

By 

Alice - See all my reviews

This review is from: Botanica (Hardcover)

Truly breathtaking close-up photographs of flowers. Tulips, lilies, roses and the more exotic fritillaria and passion flowers have never looked like this before. Nevertheless, it is their natural beauty that grows on each page. Just as his book, WATER DANCE, makes you reconsider underwater photography, Howard Schatz has brought a new perspective to the garden flower.

Alice
Friday Harbor, WA

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning New Flower Photographs, December 5, 2005

By 

G. N. Godson (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Botanica (Hardcover)

This is an unusual book of flower photographs by the renowned photographer Howard Schatz who is well know for his highly original flowing, gravity defying photographs of dancers and models captured underwater. This passion with flowing human form has translated into a unique view of flowers which are choreographed and photographed from a similar perspective. Schatz's flowers are dramatic, detailed and colorized and present an artistic view of flowers that is new and challenging. This incredibly beautiful book furthers the classic art form of flower representation. Buy it and you will be pleased and astonished.