The Infinite Tulip
Nature photographer Feinstein opens his shutter to the tulip's splendid diversity, showing off several centuries of meticulous breeding in this small collection of photographs. The flowers presented range from soft, closed coquettish buds to violently ruffled blooms that explode open toward the viewer. Nature's palate is equally remarkable; simple primary colors blend into decadent violets, fresh greens and rosy pinks. The tulip "Beau Monde" curves like an art nouveau sculpture, the smooth arcing lines of its petals fanning across the page. The ragged crimson petals of "Fringed Carnival" resemble a masquerader's feather headpiece. Feinstein allows the flowers to speak for themselves, limiting his text to each variety's name and a brief introduction, in which he explains his inspiration for the title: "with my mouth dropping open almost continuously" while photographing the flowers, the words "the infinite tulip" burst forth. This book and its companion, The Infinite Rose, are the first Fienstein collections available in small format. 60 four-color photographs.Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.