Seeing Gardens

One of the world's premier photographers combines candid, personal narrative and lush full-color photography in a fascinating international odyssey in search of the world's great gardens, in a three-part volume that includes "The Garden," "Wild Gardens," and "Seeing Gardens" and ranges from English historic gardens to minimalist Zen gardens in Japan. 20,000 first printing. Read more Continue reading Read less AMAZON.COM REVIEW
In his 1990 book Stay This Moment, National Geographic photographer Sam Abell wrote, "There are few fresh photographs of gardens because photographing beautiful things is difficult." Now, almost as if in answer to himself, Abell has produced Seeing Gardens, with 150 quiet, intensely gorgeous full-frame images from around the globe that stand as a testament to his ability to do exactly that: photograph beautiful things in a fresh and inventive way. In his simple, elegant text, Abell provides insights into how he came to take many of his better known images, such as National Hotel, Moscow, Russia, which features a handful of pears resting on a windowsill with the Kremlin in the background. Perhaps never before have Abell's sumptuous photographs been placed in a more apt context--that of the garden, both in a literal sense, like his stunning images of temple gardens in Japan, and in a figurative sense, including his shot of a blue neon sign that simply says "FLOWERS." --Walt Opie FROM BOOKLIST
Traveling the world for National Geographic, photographer Abell nourishes his reverence for gardens. This unique perspective translates into a refined ability to capture stunning garden images, whether they happen to materialize in a commonplace moment, or in the rare opportunity to document a 600-year-old Japanese landscape. Be it a floral babushka glimpsed on a Moscow bus ride, or an enthralling pattern of English hedgerows shrouded in mist, each frame from Abell's camera resonates with a vital life force, while his visionary lens imprints each photograph with a contemplative grace. In this masterful photographer's latest book, a cornucopia of intimate vignettes, breathtaking scenery, and intriguing tableaus are thematically arranged in four distinct chapters spanning designed gardens, wild vistas in nature, cultural representations, and the artist's singular visions. A mesmerizing portfolio suitable for garden and photography collections alike. Alice Joyce
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