Creature (Hardcover)

~ (Photographer)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Amazon Best of the Month, December 2007: December seems to be the classic month to celebrate the coffee-table book--those oversized tomes that sit out on display, easily enticing anyone within arm's reach to flip through the pages. One of my favorites of the season--and one you'll want to keep out all year long--is Andrew Zuckerman's Creature, a photographic safari of astounding studio shots of an ark's worth of animals, ready for their close-ups against a stark white backdrop. Mesmerizing, inspiring, and ultimately very, very cool. Badgers, fruit bats, and bald eagles never looked so good. --Brad Thomas Parsons

Product Description

Photographer Andrew Zuckerman's strikingly detailed images of animals from around the world are as delightful as they are inspiring. This collection of astonishing studio portraits of 175 wild creatures from baby leopards to parrots, bears, mandrills, and many more are stunningly foregrounded against white backgrounds, depicting their subjects with rare sensitivity, insight, humor, and wonder. Zuckerman also an up-and-coming filmmaker, whose first short film, High Falls, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2007 has created a volume perfect for animal lovers, photography fans, and anyone fascinated by the world around us. Creature is a beautiful and thought-provoking look at the fragile wonders of the natural world.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 300 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (November 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811861538
• ISBN-13: 978-0811861533
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 12.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #18,734 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #27 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Nature & Wildlife
  #30 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Photo Essays
  #54 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Collections, Catalogues & Exhibitions

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely gorgeous, November 29, 2007

By	J. Meredith (Atlanta, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Creature is a breathtaking look at a very broad range of animals with a unique perspective. It is easy to get lost in the artistry and quality of the photographs that show detail not typically included in children or museum books.

Toward the end of the book, he photographer notes that the use of images on white is not only intentional, it is the motivation behind the entire series of photographs. To lament the amount of blank space allocated in the book is to miss the point. Stripped of their environment, some creatures are close, far, or simply alive.

Creature is not a book to merely flip from page to page, but instead to relish each individual spread for its perspective. Moving too quickly means missing the details; the photographer and designer have created a book that decidedly invites the reader to slow down and stay for a spell.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Staggering Look..., December 26, 2007

By	selkn.asrai - See all my reviews

I received this book as a gift, and I will be honest--I was floored. "Creatures" that are meant to be hidden in their respective habitats are given their due majesties when planted on blank canvas. Every detail is available, stark and sometimes overwhelming. Some photos look painted, a testament that Nature oftentimes makes the best art.

I do have to say that I don't understand some other reviewers who gave this book a low rating because there are blank pages which are "insulting". What exactly is insulting about this? In my opinion, the placements of the various animals on the pages give the effort fluidity and movement in a collection of still photos; furthermore, the blank pages (when they're there) add to the value of portrait by highlighting the animal alone. After all, we paid for photos of animals with no background. It's what we received.

I believe the book would be sorely lacking if we were given 175 animals photographed ala prison photos to be placed in the center of each page. The results would be slow, tired and common, and would detract greatly from the goal of this book: To bring the essence--the motion--of the animal into utmost focus. This book attempts to present the dual beauty of the still moment, as Zuckerman writes at its end: animal life in a still frame capture and it's simultaneous movement.

I highly recommend it, "insults" or no.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars captivating creatures virtually captured, November 15, 2007

By	The Sand (alameda, ca) - See all my reviews

Creature is a work of art. It connects you with a single moment that is real -- might be whimsical, hungry, frightening -- but each page is virtually alive.

A good reminder that all creatures are individuals with memorable moments.