Vertical View

by Horst Hamann (Photographer)

With his highly acclaimed book, New York Vertical, Horst Hamann turned the concept of panoramic photography, quite literally, on its head, offering breathtaking images of Manhattan that echo the city’s towering presence. But New York is not the only place that begs us to crane our necks in awe, or look down in dizzying wonder. In this gorgeous new work, Hamann gives us even more startling glimpses of vertical views from around the world. From San Francisco, Boston and the Maine Coast to London, Paris, Frankfurt, and Hong Kong, here are dramatic top-to-bottom skyscrapers that capture the unique drama of each setting. Hamann’s photographs are like panoramic close-ups, showing us in breathtaking detail the contours and lines that we often overlook because our eyes are trained to look horizontally at sweeping vistas. Vertical View also reveals the development of Hamann’s extraordinary technique, one that he continues to perfect with each picture. Best of all, Vertical View shows us a new way of seeing. Once you’ve experience land- and cityscapes from the ground up (or the top down) you’ll never look at a cliff, a building, a bridge—or a baguette—the same way again.

Hardcover

First published October 1, 2001