Eye to Eye: Intimate Encounters with the Animal World

by Frans Lanting (Photographer)

Eye to Eye, the first personal portfolio by master photographer Frans Lanting, presents an extraordinary collection of animal images by an award-winning photographer and naturalist who "has set the standards for a whole generation of wildlife photographers," according to the BBC. More than 140 photographs, made over a period of twenty years, reveal the unique personal aesthetic Frans Lanting brings to wildlife photography, as well as the startling new perspective on animals his images provoke. In a review of his work The New York Times states, "Mr. Lanting's photographs take creatures that have become ordinary and familiar and transform them into haunting new visions."

This book's exquisite images are accompanied by personal stories and observations from a lifetime of working with wild animals around the world, ranging from orangutans in the rain forests of Borneo to emperor penguins in Antarctica. More than 70 species are represented in this astonishing portrait gallery celebrating the diversity of life on earth.

Frans Lanting does not seek in these encounters the beauty traditionally revered by wildlife photographers: "The perfection I seek in my photographic compositions is a means to show the strength and dignity of animals in nature." Frans Lanting's work has been lauded by designers as art, by biologists as science, and by others as a new vision of the relationship between animals and people - one that challenges us to look animals in the eye and see ourselves.

Genres: Photography, Nonfiction, Art, Animals, Nature, Travel, Picture Books

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magnificent, glorious, and stunning photographs around the world of penguins, birds, felines, butterflies, fish, bears, monkeys, reptiles, and more. Naturalist and wildlife photographer Frans Lanting has divided the book into three parts, “One on One” to show the individual attitudes of animals as in bonobos, “Two by Two” of the pairings of creatures such as the mating dance of albaltrosses, and “All in All” of their role in groups as in a bloat of hippos. As a child he loved The Wonderful Adventures of Nils by Selma Lagerlöf of a boy who joins a flock of geese and is introduced to a world through their eyes. Here he aims to see inside and to connect with his subjects as they look on with curiosity, wariness, compassion, peace, and hunger. A beautiful tribute of the “strength and dignity of animals in nature.”

[Peter Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to share with my GoodReads friends the most wonderful and soothing book I found at all the library book sales I went to last year. Lanting is hands down the best wildlife photographer in the world. His work is magical. I have been trying to take such pictures for 40 years and have never gotten close. I thought it might be the wand, so last year I borrowed my uncle's high powered telephoto lens to shoot (!) sea otters at Moro Bay, CA. They float on their backs right in front of you. How hard can that be? It's the magician...

[Peter Tillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just reread this one (Jan 2023) , and write an actual review. But, basically, if you see a coffee-table book with Frans Lanting on the cover, you won't go wrong. My favorite nature photographer, and his publishers always do him proud.

He has a studio and exhibit-space at or near his home in Santa Cruz, a town we are both fond of visiting. On the list for visiting, when we are less-skittish about indoor activities . . .
His website also features an extensive portfolio of the book (and all his others). Check it out!

[Dottie Suggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful inspiring photographs that were a labor of intense observation in Africa for over a year. I highly recommend this book to travelers and photographers.

[Humfreak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful picture book,
the pictures speak for themselves and little comment is added other then info to identify these creatures.
At the start of each chapter and at the back of the book some info is given on areas and animals.

Great book, where pictures make you pauze and think.

[Kathleen Messmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! While it is mostly a picture book, at the end he goes into what it took to get each image. Makes me want to get out and do my own wildlife expedition. Thanks!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing photographs fill this book, bringing you so up close and personal with animals of all kinds that it's hard to believe they are real. A great book just to relax and escape, to learn more about animals and their habitats (great author's notes at the back!), or to enjoy with kids and talk about different animals and what they might be thinking or doing. I would have loved even more photos of Lanting at work (there are a few at the back) along with more descriptions of his work adventures and how he obtained some of the photographs, but for images collected over 20 years time, I guess that would have been challenging!

"eye"

[Aneesa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was at our Airbnb. Now I know the purpose of art books.

[bermudianabroad]

One of my favourite Christmas gifts. Loved this book. My mother was convinced the cover was a hyper-real oil painting at first. She couldn't believe someone had gotten a photograph like that.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous book.

[Jimmy van der Hoeven · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice photos. seen better Taschen quality.

[Katy · Rating 2 out of 5]

My main problem with this book is the way that it has been bound, while some photographs are stunning the impact is lost when you have the book binding right down the centre of the image. Some of the images are also lacking in quality, i can't help but say i wouldn't recommend this to anyone i got it for £3 in the works and now glad i did not pay the actual full price. Its not a book that is for the serious photography lover but for kids i suppose its okay!

[Elias Betancurt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was immediately amazed by the cover (can't help it, I love felines). The book is filled with beautiful full page animal photographs. It reminded me of the countless times I went to the San Diego Zoo when I was a kid. The eye theme is particularly wonderful and its interesting to compare the differences between species. I was only disappointed that there was only one blurry picture of tigers.

[Andrea M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Page after page of close-up photographs with no text other than to identify the image. This book is not just about large cats but all sorts of exotic animals. Great for inspiring non-readers and readers alike!

[H · Rating 3 out of 5]

another book of photography.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful, stunning images....

A worthy addition to your bookshelf if you like wildlife photography

[Skedatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of great pictures of random animals. Happily, they are all labeled.

[Terri Klemetson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great way to practice translating Spanish, amazing photos!

[Beroha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frans lanting here delivers a great photography book for our eyes' delight. The photographer brings us up close with wild animals in their natural environment.

[Teresa Jolanta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books makes you rethink the difference between humans and other animals. The highlight for me was the pictures of the bonobos. I can't get over their facial expressions.

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Een prachtig mooi fotoboek, echt een aanrader. Ik kan hier uuuuuureen in staren. :D

[Holly Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stunning and very emotive.
I really loved the ending section with commentary on each photo.

[Kailashh Hirdode]

ITs super