From 19th-century erotica to the publicized images of the 1990s, photo curator Ewing offers a rich, involving archive of images culled from worldwide collections that presents an exciting, provocative record of the camera's infatuation with the human figure. Over 360 duotone and color photos.

This wonderfully small, thick book--like a box of photos--is divided up into the following categories: bonds (between partners and family members), icons (say, Jane Fonda as Barbarella), observations of glimpsed love or lust, come-ons to further naughtiness, tokens (mostly flowers juxtaposed with women), libidos (lusty acts), reveries (erotica), and obsessions (the sexual unusual). The international array of photographers includes Man Ray, Robert Mapplethorpe, Nan Goldin, Helmut Newton, Sally Mann, Immogen Cunningham, Brassai, and Julia Margaret Cameron. After a lengthy introduction on the history of photography and desire, there's nothing but photos there-on-in. You might just get aroused, or fascinated as to how others are aroused, or intrigued as to how far people go to arouse others. Ewing is director of the Musee de l'Elysee in Lausanne, Switzerland. Annotation copyrighted by Book News Inc., Portland, OR

Vivid, colorful, and spectacular: a lush and definitive overview showcasing the masterworks of flower photography by the world’s leading photographers. Flowers have been a source of inspiration for photographers since the medium’s inception; immortalized by luminaries such as Man Ray, Robert Mapplethorpe, Irving Penn, and Julia Margaret Cameron. Today, flower photography has come into full bloom once again, with photographers capturing flowers in inspiring new ways. Featuring two hundred works, Flora Photographica links the very best of flower photography from the past twenty years with its predecessors—canonical floral images from the realms of photography, illustration, and painting that have marked the collective imagination. Works by contemporary photographers such as David LaChapelle, Valérie Belin, Viviane Sassen, and Martin Schoeller appear across ten thematic chapters, among them “Origins,” “Arrangements,” “Essence,” “Persona,” and “Reverie,” which also include a brief introduction to the particular topic. These are complemented by two in-depth essays by authors William Ewing and Danaé Panchaud, which explore the relationship between contemporary works and the rich traditions of floral art and photography. Vibrant and abundant with various species of flora, this stunning book is both a celebration of beauty and a study of form, making it a must-have publication for lovers of flowers and photography alike.

Our fast-changing world seen through the lenses of 140 leading contemporary photographers around the globe. With close to 500 images, many previously unpublished, this landmark publication takes stock of the material and spiritual cultures that make up 'civilization'. Ranging from the ordinary to the extraordinary, from our great collective achievements to our ruinous collective failings, Civilization: The Way We Live Now explores the complexity of contemporary civilization through the rich, nuanced language of photography. Featuring images by some 140 photographers - from Reiner Riedler's families at leisure parks, Raimond Wouda's high schools, Wang Qingsong's Work, Work, Work and Cindy Sherman's Society Portraits, to Lauren Greenfield's displays of ostentatious wealth, Edward Burtynsky's oil fields, Pablo Lopez Luz's views on a sprawling contemporary megalopolis, Thomas Struth's images of high technology, Xing Danwen's electronic wastelands and Taryn Simon's Contraband, Civilization draws together the threads of humankind's ever-changing, frenetic, collective life across the globe. Visually epic, Civilization is presented through eight thematic chapters, each featuring powerful imagery and accompanied by provocative essays, quotes and concise statements by the artists themselves.

From 19th century erotica to the sexual politics of the 1990s, Ewing's collection of over 365 photographic images provides a rich archive of bodily forms, both male and female, featuring the outstanding works of some of the world's most talented photographers.

By far the most lavish, thoughtfully selected, and beautifully produced book of Steichen s work.

History of fashion photography. Keep-has a good biography in back. Hoyningen-Huene was mentor of Horst and worked for Cukor.--Misha Schutt.

Vivid, bold, spectacular and unexpected: a definitive overview of one of contemporary photography's most innovative fields, showcasing flower imagery by more than 120 of the world's leading practitioners. There has never been a period in photography's long history - no school, no movement - when flowers have not been a central focus, whether in the form of the classic still life, the botanical study, incorporated into portraiture and studies of the human body, documented in street photography, or used subversively in surrealist collage and montage. Today, flower photography remains in full bloom, with photographers the world over depicting flowers and floral motifs in novel ways. Featuring works by more than 120 photographers, Flora Photographica links the very best of flower photography from the past thirty years with its predecessors - canonical floral studies from the realms of photography, botanical illustration, drawing and painting that have marked the collective imagination for centuries, if not millennia. Works by contemporary photographers such as Cindy Sherman, Thomas Ruff, Vik Muniz, Valérie Belin, Viviane Sassen, and Martin Schoeller appear across nine thematic chapters, complemented by two in-depth essays by curators William A. Ewing and Danaé Panchaud exploring the relationship between contemporary works and the rich traditions of floral art and photography.