Man Ray, renowned for his imaginative photography, famously stated, “I do not photograph nature, I photograph my fantasy.” Originally a painter and designer in New York, Ray discovered photography through Alfred Stieglitz's 291 Gallery. In Paris during the 1920s and 1930s, he was influenced by Surrealism and Dadaism, exploring techniques like solarization, grain enlargement, and photograms—dubbed “Rayographs.” Dubbed “the poet of the darkroom,” his work significantly impacted twentieth-century photography. This book features 43 of his best images, with an essay by Jed Perl detailing artistic influences and Ray's lasting contributions to the art form.
