Fall

Though trained as a biochemist, Christopher Griffith abandoned science to become a photographer. Yet in this gorgeously presented album he merges both interests, studying the very temporary state of fall foliage with an artist's eye. Griffith noticed that various light angles and backlighting of autumnal leaves on trees and vines could produce spectacular effects, and in his studio perfected the technique of capturing the complexity of the leaves' structures as well as their glowing colors, shooting them against deep black backgrounds. In 48 large color plates he presents North American leaves from white mulberry (Morus alba) to Canada moonseed (Menispermum canadense), many of them carefully transported from hundreds of miles away.