Friday, January 4, 2008

Book: Monkey Portraits by Jill Greenberg


This is a gorgeous book. Not much writing but just a simple forward and afterword. The photos say it all. Orangutans, chimps, baboons, monkeys etc. Cute yes, but the photographer has caught something extra special about these animals. Just look at their expressions and you can see amost human emotions going on. Fear, humour, aggression, intelligence, calm, happiness, sadness, curiousity, fun, playful, cute, old, young. This is not just a book of studio portraits of monkeys (and apes), but a look at creatures that are so much like us it's frightening. The author has put one word descriptions beside each photo and they are as descriptive as a whole ream of unnecessary words.

Score Board: 10/10 Unusual book, but fascinating

No comments: