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Ancient Trees: Portraits of Time
Black-and-white photographs of the world's most majestic ancient trees, from the yews of England to the baobabs of Madagascar.
104 pages, Hardcover
First published September 23, 2014
3 people are currently reading
538 people want to read
About the author
Beth Moon
18 books9 followersBeth Moon, a photographer based in San Francisco, makes her exhibition prints exclusively with the platinum/palladium process, which allows for the greatest possible permanence and tonal range. Moon’s work has been published widely in magazines, and she is represented by galleries in the United States, Italy, Israel, Brazil, and Dubai.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
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November 4, 2017
April 7, 2015
This is far more art than reference or trees/woodworking. Moon took gorgeous pictures of some amazing trees & then processed them in a special way (platinum/paladium mix?) to make them last forever. They're kind of B&W, but glow a bit more even on the printed page. Lovely. And the trees are incredible as is the way she captured them.
Unfortunately, she made the decision to put just a plate on each page, then put a separate section in the back with thumbnails & a very brief explanation for each. At least she got the Latin names & locations for them. She could have easily put the explanation on most pages & on a facing page otherwise. Wish she had. Flipping back & forth sucked. The paucity of information was just plain frustrating. Luckily, I do have good references.
As a coffee table book for someone who really appreciates photography & trees, this is a darn good book. I'm such a person as is my wife. Still, I could have been a lot happier.
Unfortunately, she made the decision to put just a plate on each page, then put a separate section in the back with thumbnails & a very brief explanation for each. At least she got the Latin names & locations for them. She could have easily put the explanation on most pages & on a facing page otherwise. Wish she had. Flipping back & forth sucked. The paucity of information was just plain frustrating. Luckily, I do have good references.
As a coffee table book for someone who really appreciates photography & trees, this is a darn good book. I'm such a person as is my wife. Still, I could have been a lot happier.
November 27, 2014
This book is incredible. It would be a wonderful gift for someone who loves trees. I especially liked that she told where each tree is located. They are trees like I have never seen before.
November 17, 2015
made me think of Groot.
we are Groot.
we are Groot.
February 9, 2016
Nature is ridiculously impressive.
March 8, 2016
If you like trees or are a nature person, you should definitely look at this book. It is a beautiful pictorial.
January 6, 2016
Photographs in black and white will awe you and force you to you knees. I kid you not. I was so humbled to see the eons of stories, life and death, struggle and strength, disaster and destruction, reflected in these ancient monitors of the earth. Their survival made me feel so sad for the state of the world and our destruction of their habitats.
May 6, 2015
Beautiful book. I love old trees.
May 28, 2019
This was a book that sparked my interest even though it is about trees and so I chose to tackle it if I could get a hold of it. Beth Moon is an amazing photographer even though this is the first time I have seen her work and she brings the trees to life whether they are really ancient or just a few centuries old, which is still much older than I am.
What captured my attention is not only that she captures the tree's personality in her picture but there is loving information included about the tree in the back. As a result the reader gets to know what type of tree they are looking at, the scientific name and how old it is thought to be as well as where it can be found in many cases. And sometimes there is a bit of a story to go along with the photograph while at other times there aren't.
The trees themselves are categorized via countries where they were found so the read won't be lost on the location. As a result you aren't flipping around pages trying to find all the trees from one particular place.
Even though the pictures are breathtaking and capture the essence of the trees I was disappointed that they couldn't be captured in colors or have a color picture to offset the black-and-white. There was too much emphasis on making the pictures just as long-lasting as the trees while although the process is interesting I am not quite sure I am a fan of all these photographic books usually using either a neutral background or being monochromatic to focus the subject.
All in all it was a beautiful book and one that I wouldn't mind having around the house. For those who enjoy trees and/or nature this will be one book that will be a wonderful addition to have around and a tree eye-opener to those little known living organisms that share the world with us even if we can't see Treebeard or Groot in his branches.
What captured my attention is not only that she captures the tree's personality in her picture but there is loving information included about the tree in the back. As a result the reader gets to know what type of tree they are looking at, the scientific name and how old it is thought to be as well as where it can be found in many cases. And sometimes there is a bit of a story to go along with the photograph while at other times there aren't.
The trees themselves are categorized via countries where they were found so the read won't be lost on the location. As a result you aren't flipping around pages trying to find all the trees from one particular place.
Even though the pictures are breathtaking and capture the essence of the trees I was disappointed that they couldn't be captured in colors or have a color picture to offset the black-and-white. There was too much emphasis on making the pictures just as long-lasting as the trees while although the process is interesting I am not quite sure I am a fan of all these photographic books usually using either a neutral background or being monochromatic to focus the subject.
All in all it was a beautiful book and one that I wouldn't mind having around the house. For those who enjoy trees and/or nature this will be one book that will be a wonderful addition to have around and a tree eye-opener to those little known living organisms that share the world with us even if we can't see Treebeard or Groot in his branches.
March 26, 2017
there is something comforting to me in reading books about trees, especially trees that have survived hundreds, or thousands of years. it reminds me that the lives we lead are so fleeting. instead of making me feel insignificant, I am struck by the power of the small moments in life... that moment when I look at my daughter in wonder, and stroke her cheek. when I tousle my son's hair absentmindedly...life is a series of small moments. enjoy them, revel in them. look around and marvel at the world.
October 21, 2017
This breathtaking collection made me long to travel the world and visit the trees photographed by Moon. After looking at the Dragon's Blood trees that are only found on the island of Socotra, I immediately wanted to go there. Since the island is part of Yemen, I won't be heading there tomorrow, but maybe someday I will. I would love to see these strange trees in person and photograph them myself.
There are photos of trees from all over the world, descriptions in the back of the book with stories about the trees, and a couple of essays to read about Beth Moon's photography and the trees that were her subjects for this collection. Paging through this book will fill you with dreams and sighs.
There are photos of trees from all over the world, descriptions in the back of the book with stories about the trees, and a couple of essays to read about Beth Moon's photography and the trees that were her subjects for this collection. Paging through this book will fill you with dreams and sighs.
October 9, 2019
Beautiful and inspiring.
January 20, 2022
If you love photography, trees, or both, as I do, you might find yourself spellbound while studying these portraits (duotone plates).
I feel fortunate to have met a handful of these awe-inspiring trees, and the book introduced me to others I might hope to visit someday.
Big, beautiful coffee table book I'll keep around.
I feel fortunate to have met a handful of these awe-inspiring trees, and the book introduced me to others I might hope to visit someday.
Big, beautiful coffee table book I'll keep around.
January 20, 2016
This is a wonderful book that focuses on capturing the photos of grand and unusual trees that for many of us we wouldn't get to see otherwise. There are a couple essays throughout that provide a bit of information on the environmental troubles facing trees as well as commenting on our historical relationship with them but the stronger focus is simply the awe the natural world can inspire.
The photos are inspiring and artistic and will have a positive impact on anyone who looks at them.
The photos are inspiring and artistic and will have a positive impact on anyone who looks at them.
December 15, 2014
Amazing platinum/palladium-process prints of incredible trees, from several hundred to a handful of thousands of years old. Two nice, short essays; one by Todd forest of the New York Botanical Garden and one by Steven Brown, poet and photography critic.
December 31, 2014
Platinum/palladium-process prints of impressive ancient trees growing on several continents. It has me noticing the shape and growth of trees I pass with much more attention and wonder.
May 24, 2015
I loved seeing each tree, but the ones that have grown around or been incorporated into man-made structures were incredible. I'm going for a walk now...
May 8, 2024
What stunning photographs! I love taking nature pictures and this would be a dream to see these trees. Beth does a great job framing and portraying these magnificent trees that she spent years finding. The only thing I would have liked to see is something else in the picture so we could see the relative size of these monsters!
I was grateful for the captions at the end of the book so I could read more about the trees.
My favorites (which was very hard to narrow down) :
Dragon's Blood Trees
Socotra, Yemen
page 56
Great western Red cedar
Wales
Page 23
Craziest
Baobab tree in South Africa
One of the Largest living things on earth
page 71
Oddest:
Dessert Rose
Socotra, Yemen
page 60
I was grateful for the captions at the end of the book so I could read more about the trees.
My favorites (which was very hard to narrow down) :
Dragon's Blood Trees
Socotra, Yemen
page 56
Great western Red cedar
Wales
Page 23
Craziest
Baobab tree in South Africa
One of the Largest living things on earth
page 71
Oddest:
Dessert Rose
Socotra, Yemen
page 60
April 6, 2025
"Smelling the sweet and very valuable amber resin (referred to as golden tears), I could easily imagine why it has been traded for over 5000 years and why it was, famously, one of the three gifts given to the Christ child. Recent studies reveal that burning the intoxicating resin can relieve depression and anxiety. This is not surprising, because frankincense has been used since antiquity to awaken higher consciousness and enhance meditation and prayer" (90).
February 17, 2021
Photographed by Beth Moon, author of Ancient Skies, Ancient Trees, this book is amazing. With very little text to distract from the gorgeous black and white photographs of trees, this is the kind of book to look at when you find current events depressing or overwhelming. From Dragon's Blood trees to the Cathedral tree, every picture is a testament to beauty of this world.
May 23, 2017
I really didn't read...but looked at the photos. I don't really care for Beth Moon's style of photography, although some of the trees she photographed are stunning! Maybe it's because I prefer GREEN trees :)
December 3, 2017
Exquisite photographs.
February 4, 2018
A piece of art beautiful black and white photography
March 22, 2018
Beautiful ❤️
May 14, 2019
Picture book of trees from around the world, b&w photos, very little text.
February 14, 2020
upsetting
March 1, 2020
A collection of trees form around the globe that have lasted the test of time/elements/man! Some of the trees are surreal looking.
February 1, 2022
I love trees.
January 3, 2024
Incredible photos of trees I'll never see in my lifetime.
May 12, 2015
Exquisite black and white photos of extraordinary trees including the Crowhurst Yew in England, the Cathedral Tree in California, the Baobabs of Kubu Island in Botswanna, the Devil's Pulpit in Wales, the Kapok Tree in Florida, the Heart of the Dragon tree in Yemen, and the Quiver Tree Forest in Namibia, as well as others, all as spectacular as their names.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews