Zuckerman - Creature

To my family.

First published in the United States in 2007 by Chronicle Books LLC.
First published in New Zealand in 2007 by Hachette Livre NZ Ltd.

Copyright 2007 by Andrew Zuckerman.
Introduction copyright 2007 by Graham Nash.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and
retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher.

ISBN: 978-1-4521-3374-4
The Library of Congress has cataloged the previous edition as follows:
ISBN: 978-0-8118-6153-3

Produced and originated by PQ Blackwell Limited
116 Symonds Street, Auckland, New Zealand

www.pqblackwell.com

Chronicle Books LLC
680 Second Street
San Francisco, California 94107

www.chroniclebooks.com

The art of photography is about contact: contact with a fellow human being or contact with a particular scene or situation. This book speaks to me about the contact we have with the many different species that inhabit this planet with us.

Captured against a stark, white background, these creatures reveal the very essence of life in all its ragged glory. The astounding complexity of the creatures shown here makes one truly appreciate the beauty of the ongoing process of life: of evolution and, more specifically, of adaptation. Every single being in this book started life as a single-celled animal, only to evolve into what we see here. Each has become unique, and its originality demands attention.

It seems so fitting that the first photographs in Creature are of our closest relative from the animal kingdom, the chimpanzee. When we look at a chimpanzee, we see ourselves. Whats surprising is that the same is true for so many of these animals. As one wanders through this journey, its incredible to realize not only the enormous variety of animals that exist in this world, but the undeniable sense that, like us, they have some kind of soul. This is perhaps the other mystery of the animal kingdomthat in the midst of all its diversity and startling manifestations, when you look into the eyes of these animals you see their personality, and you feel connected.

Andrews process brings us face to face with these creatures with startling clarity, and is beautifully handled in the sensitive production of this book. The white background acts as a part of the visual experience, removing any context other than Andrews visual sensibilities. As a collector, I enjoy being on the front edge of the wave of the photographic world with daguerreotypes; on the back end, my work has been focused on expanding and perfecting photography in the digital world, and I find that Andrews work helps me hone my own personal vision.

It takes great courage, patience, and skill to confront the animal kingdom and bring its beauty before our eyes; and I certainly hope you enjoy this book as much as I do. Weve come a long way along this path of creation and it would benefit all of us to look closely at our animal friends, as these photographs force us to do, and to recognize ourselves in them.

Graham Nash