Customer Reviews

Tom Baril: Botanica

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Botanica, Tom Baril's second publication, further demonstrates his mastery of floral photography. The design of the book presents a collection of sixty, large format, black & white photographs. While no text accompanies the photographs, the subject flower of each is named and eloquently presented in an array of richly hued tones. Through his lighting, printing and toning techniques, Baril evokes the personality and character of each flower. The photographs are both dramatic and serene and capture a luminoscity and texture that brings the flowers to life on the page. Those familiar with Baril's first publication will recognize several photographs that have been reproduced in Botanica, displaying an evolution of Baril's exceptional photographic sensitivity and technique. Collectors of fine art photography and lovers of flowers, alike, will discover, in this book, a sense of inspiration and delight. It is a valued addition to any collection!

I think that compared to Tom Barils first book I can "only" give this book a 4. In my copy of botanica you can see the screen pattern in some pictures. The print quality in the first book was superb. And I would prefer the original size of the prints. Otherwise Tom Barils photography is amazing and I hope I get a chance to see his work in original prints.

Ulf/Sweden

I highly recommend this extraordinary coffee table book to anyone who loves flowers. It is packed with 60 exquisite images printed in subtly toned black & white on quality matte finish paper. The large images show every intricate detail.

Baril's images are in a classical style, using special effects including solarization and toning that only bring out the natural beauty of the subject. The remarkable detail and unique composition make each image special.

I enjoyed the wide variety of flora including an exotic passion vine, elegant calla lilies & a magnificent sunflower. More of my favorites are gladiolas & brugmansia, as well as hosta ready to burst into bloom.

This book is a masterpiece of elegant simplicity. The photos are printed one to a page on one side only. The only detail given is the name of the flower. The images speak for themselves and you can get lost in them for hours.