Introduction By Graham Nash, 2007

The art of photography is about contact: contact with a fellow human being or contact with a particular scene or situation. This book speaks to me about the contact we have with the many different species that inhabit this planet with us.

The art of photography is about contact: contact with a fellow human being or contact with a particular scene or situation. This book speaks to me about the contact we have with the many different species that inhabit this planet with us.

Captured against a stark, white background, the creatures reveal the very essence of life itself in all its ragged glory. The astounding complexity of the creatures shown here makes one truly appreciate the beauty of the ongoing process of life itself: of evolution, and more specifically, of adaptation. Every single being in this book started life as a single-celled animal, only to evolve into what we see here. Each has become unique, and its originality demands attention._

It seems so fitting that the first photographs in “Creature” are of our closest relative from the animal kingdom, the chimpanzee. When we look at a chimpanzee, we see ourselves. What’s surprising is that the same is true for so many of these animals. As one wanders through this journey, it’s incredible to realize not only the enormous variety of animals that exist in this world, but the undeniable sense that, like us, they have some kind of soul. This is perhaps the other mystery of the animal kingdom—that in the midst of all its diversity and startling manifestations, when you look into the eyes of these animals you see their personality, and you feel connected._

Andrew’s process brings us face to face with these creatures with startling clarity, and is beautifully handled in the sensitive printing of this book. The white background itself acts as a part of the visual experience, removing any context other than Andrew’s visual sensibilities. As a collector, I enjoy being on the front edge of the wave of the photographic world with Daguerreotypes; on the back end, my work has been focused on expanding and perfecting photography in the digital world, and I find that Andrew’s work helps me hone my own personal vision.

It takes great courage, patience and skill to confront the animal kingdom and bring their beauty before our eyes; and I certainly hope you enjoy this book as much as I do. We’ve come a long way along this path of creation and it would benefit all of us to look closely at our animal friends, as these photographs force us to do, and to recognize ourselves in them.
–Graham Nash, Los Angeles

A friend of mine told me about this amazing, amazing book of animal portraits, and when I saw the photos, I had to have the photographer on the show.
–ELLEN DEGENERES, The Ellen Show

Credits:
Andrew Zuckerman, Photographer.
David Meredith, Designer.
Justin Cohen, Retoucher.
Shannon McDowell, Production.
Veronica Madrigal, Production.
Nick Lee, Production.
Jackson Nash, Production.