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In A Shadow Falls, which features fifty-eight recent images in stunning, oversized tritone plates, Nick Brandt continues his ambitious and ongoing photographic project to memorialize the vanishing natural grandeur of East Africa. Brandt’s wide-screen panoramas of animals and landscapes capture an epic vision of Africa that has not been seen before. His iconic portraits of its majestic animals are filled with an empathy usually reserved for human subjects. From the opening images in A Shadow Falls, of a verdant world filled with multitudes of animals, to the closing images of small bands of creatures moving across a parched, dusty earth, Brandt portrays a mythic Africa struggling against tragic forces. In years to come, we will look back at these powerful photographs and wonder why humanity did not do more to preserve this rare corner of earthly paradise.

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

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Nick Brandt

21 books17 followers

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5 stars
141 (83%)
4 stars
18 (10%)
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5 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for Barry Stoch.
62 reviews2 followers
February 4, 2016
A wonderful book. Large, well printed plates demonstrate the stunning images of Nick Brandt in Africa. The images in the book are definitely 5 star. The reason I rated the book with only 4 stars is the lack of writing from Brandt. I think if he had offered more feedback on his experience with making these images, insights gained it really would have personalized the experience of looking through the images. There are a couple of pages written by him but I think more would have really enhanced the whole impact.
Still I highly recommend this book for the images themselves, a look into a world that is rapidly disappearing.
Profile Image for Crystal.
81 reviews
December 23, 2009
What a phenomenal book. The most amazing photography I have seen. The images are remarkable & it makes me want to visit Eastern Africa!
Profile Image for Hannu Kokko.
25 reviews8 followers
September 10, 2018
Magnificent and moving black and white photographs of African wildlife. Beyond beautiful.
Profile Image for Nancy Mcdaniel.
473 reviews7 followers
June 15, 2020
brilliant photography and devastating story. Nick Brandt is a genius and passionate conservationist. His work with Big Life Foundation is an inspiration!
Profile Image for Brooke.
2,553 reviews28 followers
August 6, 2021
Read /viewed out of order. Doesn't diminish the impact of Brandt's work.
Profile Image for Nikki.
1,757 reviews84 followers
May 19, 2017
Absolutely gorgeous photography and heartbreaking reality. I highly recommend all of Brandt's works and his charity, Big Life Foundation. Reading this may involve tears...many if you're like me.
Profile Image for Shannon.
650 reviews42 followers
March 29, 2017
Nick Brandt has been my favorite photographer/artist for a long time. Not only is his work beautiful, but he works with the Big Life Foundation as well. Black and white photography is my favorite, as well as elephants, which is how I can across his photography in the first place. On top of that, all the work in his first three books was shot on film, no digital. I am also a big fan of film photography because of the time and effort that goes into procession and developing the film, as well as working in the darkroom. I received his books as gifts and finally had the time to go through them. I highly recommend for anyone; especially those who are a fan of black and white photography and wildlife photography. His work is stunning and someday I hope to own one of his prints or at least see an exhibition in a gallery, although he rarely comes to the US.
Profile Image for Melissa.
1,713 reviews25 followers
April 10, 2014
This book is on display at my library, and of course that stunning photograph of the elephant on the cover caught my eye. Since I only had a short time, I did not read the introductory material, but spent my time admiring each photograph presented in the collection. And if you think the cover photo is stunning, you'll be in awe of all of them. Covering the most common African animals (lions, elephants, zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, cheetahs, gorillas) all in black-and-white, each photo seems to truly capture the personalities of these wild animals.
Profile Image for Timothy Neesam.
534 reviews10 followers
January 23, 2016
Nick Brandt's Africa nature photographs have a remarkable, different look and feel than what many of us are used to seeing. Brandt uses a medium format camera to take his photographs, and this generously oversized book lets you get close to the beautifully processed images. They have a wonderful depth of field and sense of detail. Accompanying Brandt's images are two essays that explain his philosophy and technique. This book is the first of a trilogy and probably the best entry-point into his work. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Stephanie Kuwasaki.
6 reviews2 followers
July 17, 2012
This is an amazing animal photography book. The pictures are emotional, strong, powerful & beautiful. Nick has accurately captured the beauty of Africa in the faces of the lions, elephants & landscape. And he brings awareness to the problem of poaching in a unique way that makes you want to save every animal on those pages. As a photographer, I strive to capture the animal's soul in every picture. I strive to be like Nick.
Profile Image for Chris.
2,113 reviews29 followers
May 12, 2010
Visually stunning. Pictures will leave you awestruck. Photos are timeless but time is running out for these animals. I'm going to have to buy this eventually. Well worth the $50. Or maybe I'll just contribute that money to one of several websites that will help protect these animals. The author cites them in his introduction.
Profile Image for Katy.
41 reviews1 follower
July 8, 2012
I really should buy one of Brandts books for myself, anyway a a photography book goes again its so visually stunning of course there is not much to say because the amazing works just speak for themselves. The book is large (like most of his books) and the photographs are presented in such a beautiful way. If your unfamiliar with the photographer go and check out his website.
Profile Image for Bobby.
302 reviews9 followers
August 13, 2017
This is the third time I've tried to review a Nick Brandt collection. Not sure what to say except that spending quality time with any of Brandt's collections is like a deep and meaningful social visit with some beings that no one else could've introduced you to - and no one can bring these creatures to us the way Nick Brandt does!
Profile Image for Vanessa.
394 reviews80 followers
June 6, 2011
Absolutely stunning photographs!!! Definitely some of the best - and most expressive - pictures of African wildlife that can be found anywhere. Google Nick Brandt and look at some of his pictures --- they are all black & white, and every one of them is a piece of art.
Profile Image for Roger.
39 reviews
July 27, 2010
This is Nicks Second published photography book. Mostly photographs but unlike his first book, this one actually contains text.
Profile Image for Red.
345 reviews51 followers
May 4, 2014
Brandt is a true artisan. His empathetic, evocative portraiture of the animals and landscapes of East Africa are simply extraordinary.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews

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