Laurent Baheux

The French photographer Laurent Baheux dedicates his new book to the "King of the Animals"--the lion. Breathtaking black-and-white images create a powerful portrait of one of the most majestic and endangered species in the world.
Think of lions and one might think of the powerful member of the "Big Five," with a roar that echoes across the planes, and a merciless pursuit of its prey. One might think of the pack animal, surprisingly playful and affectionate within its pride. Or one might think of the endangered lion--long the target of hunters and trophy collectors.
In this new photo book, Laurent Baheux journeys across Africa to capture the lion in all its intricate facets. The result is a sensitive and intimate photo portrait that shows the big cat in all its nuance: at once powerful, fragile, and tender. Baheux's stunning black-and-white lion photographs show this feline animal with the precision and texture of a studio portrait--its many different movements, postures, behaviors, and expressions captured with startling intimacy.
Playing among the pride, out hunting its prey, or eyeing us directly from the page, Baheux's lion photography is as much a tribute to the lion's character, power, and feeling as it is a haunting reminder that this most impressive of animals is also among the most endangered wildlife on earth.

From majestic glaciers to vast frozen plains as far as the eye can see, ice is just as important to the world's ecosystems as water, air, and trees. And yet its presence and vital role on Earth is increasingly threatened by the effects of global warming and population growth--the inspiration behind French photographer Laurent Baheux's latest endeavor, Ice is Black. Through breathtaking blackand-white images, Baheux captures the world's most beautiful icy landscapes and the fascinating animals that inhabit them. We get close to creatures and landscapes that seem to be taken out of time. Taken in such far-flung lands as Norway, Iceland, and Canada, Baheux's images present polar bears and their cubs, foxes frolicking in snow, and seals navigating icy waters. While the photographs convey evocative beauty, they also act as a call to action to protect these magnificent icy lands and the creatures that rely on them.

Many have tried to convey the true spirit of Africa's animals in words, photography, or in music. There may be no challenge greater; Africa's fauna are vast in number and rich in diversity. In this finely crafted collection, French photographer Laurent Baheux uses the medium of black-and-white photography to capture the intricate details of both the wondrous beasts and the magnificent settings in which they dwell. This wide-ranging volume lays particular emphasis on his subjects' individual spirits--revealing all of their vulnerability while losing nothing of their raw vitality. Every photograph is so carefully composed and well lit that the details equal the evocative precision of an Old Masters portrait. Through Baheux's eyes we get close to the creatures that will both inspire and humble us all.