Flora

by Imogen Cunningham

As one of the greatest women photographers of the century, Imogen Cunningham (1883-1976) photographed nature with a celebratory spirit while retaining a firm dedication to photographic technique. Her childhood fascination with the beauty and complexities of nature led her to photograph all kinds of plant life, from simple flower arrangements to elaborate compositions of exotic ferns and lilies. This collection of black-and-white botanical images spans 55 years of work and development. The images are accompanied by a biocritical essay by Richard Lorenz, noted photography curator and writer, placing Cunningham's work in the context of her contemporaries and colleagues: Edward Weston, Ansel Adams, Johan Hagemeyer and many other premiere photographers of the botanical world.

Genres: Photography, Art, Nature

160 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2000

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous book of Cunningham's botanical images, from the famous magnolia blossom to a few photos never before published. The essay is intelligent (I loved Lorenz's observation that the inclusion of a bowl of narcissus in her early self-portrait may have quite a pointed, self reflective meaning and his explanation about the rank, rotting smell of the voodoo lily Cunningham photographed alongside her own 89-year-old hand) and the reproductions are of very high quality. There are even a few color photos included, but the standouts for me are her black and whites.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cunningham's high-contrast black and white photographs of plants are her best known, and the few color images seem to pale in comparison. She was a tiny powerhouse of a photographer.

[Lauren King]

Boss

[Kathleen Messmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imogene Cunningham is one of the inspirations for my own work and I was happy to read about her process; not just as a photographer, but as a woman in the early 20th century.