From legendary motion picture still photographer Ralph Nelson comes his first collection of personal works-- more than 78 stunning iPhone photographs of botanical subjects, beautifully presented in a 162-page, hardcover book.
With an introduction by Ray Bradbury, this coffee-table (11x13") size book features one image per page accompanied with a quote relating to beauty, flowers, light and life by well-known authors, philosophers, scientists and sacred texts.
All of the images in this book were taken with an iPhone and no apps or accessories of any kind were used. There was no cropping of images and no manipulation of images beyond techniques used in a traditional darkroom.
"Botanica is more than a book of beautifully crafted images of flowers, much, much more. It’s a personal statement by a photographer who’s at the top of his game and will cause you to reexamine what you think of when someone says “flower pictures.” Botanica is Ralph Nelson’s personal statement about life and one’s creativity and how they blend together producing a lasting legacy." -Joe Farace
I've never before had a book I really wanted to use as a "coffee table book," but Ralph Nelson's gorgeous book Botanica has that honored place in my living room now. I like having it handy there so that I can browse through it whenever I sit on the sofa to relax for a bit, and I love for visitors to pick it up and become as entranced with it as I am. Ralph's photographs are so beautiful, and the inspiring readings he has paired them with are perfect. I can't get enough of it. I highly recommend Botanica to all who love nature, beauty, inspiration, wisdom, and talent.
Botanica by Ralph Nelson is a magnificent book. And "magnificent" is not excessive. Botanica will make you rethink your idea of a coffee table book. The photographs of flowers and leaves and, yes, weeds, in this volume will bring you back to it over and over again. Instead of just admiring the book, your visitors will want to go through it. I say this because in my life I've known quite a few people who had huge collections of "coffee table books" that never seemed to leave the place they were first put. This won't happen with Botanica. I promise. The picture of flowers and leaves on page 78 may bring back memories you don't want to lose. And the quote on the opposite page by Mother Teresa might bring back others. She wrote or said, "God is the friend of silence. Trees, flowers, grass grow in silence." A breathtaking magnolia on page 102 is next to a page that has a quote from John Keats: "A thing of beauty is a joy forever; it's loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness." I could go on and on. This extraordinary book with dozens of full-page pictures will give you much to love and much to think about. Read the book in the house or in the garden. If you live in an apartment, keep the book near for when you miss those things up close. And don't forget weeds. Go to page 26 for a full-page picture of plants that are not chosen for their flowers or their ability to be controlled by gardeners. You will like them, and you will like the quote from A. A. Milne. "Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them."
Don't miss out on the opportunity to add this book to your collection. I knew from the book's description and by who the author is, that I would love to have a copy in my home. I waited anxiously for it to arrive and was so impressed with each beautiful page on my first look through. I have since taken many browses through the book, taking time to savor the beauty of each flower, each photo, and each verse. All are beautiful and you will find something new to enjoy with each perusal. This book is incredible and the perfect showcase for Ralph Nelson's photographic artistry. Don't forget; just order your copy today. You won't be disappointed.
Ralph Nelson is a seasoned stills photographer for the movies. But more importantly, he has a great, caring heart and can see the beauty beyond the ordinary. This collection of more than 81 photos taken with his iPhone is a beautiful coffee table book. Ralph's passion for photography is evident in every image which he created with his iPhone. Taking the book to the next level, Ralph has included a quote about beauty, light, life, and flowers by well known authors and philosophers, scientists and sacred texts.
This book makes a beautiful gift just in time for Mother's Day.