Some people may mistakenly overlook this book because of the novelty of its central idea--upending a panoramic camera to shoot New York City vertically. But veteran photographer Horst Hamann's pictures have nothing gimmicky about them; in fact, like Berenice Abbott's, they seem destined for New York City photo immortality. The pictures are beautifully controlled--in vision, in camera technique, and in printing. What's more, Hamann bends the city to his vision of light, air, and geometry. A shot of the Statue of Liberty's right arm, holding the lamp aloft, is a masterwork of composition and care. It's as if Hamann somehow arranged for the sea below to darken in precisely the same gradations as the Lady's stately arm. Compare it to a dizzying picture of one of the Chrysler Building's shiny eagle heads, or a serene moment among the hosta lilies in Trinity Church cemetery for a grasp of Hamann's range. Each photograph is paired with a quotation on the opposite page, such as Walt Whitman's "The beautiful city, the city of hurried and sparkling waters!" or former mayor James J. Walker's quip, "I'd rather be a lamppost in New York than Mayor of Chicago." The back of the book contains information on the places in the photographs. On a shelf of New York books, this one might take its place next to Paul Goldberger's classic, The City Observed, as a fresh example of how New York's stone, steel, and glass architectural icons are reinvented with each new visionary. --Peggy Moorman

FROM OUR EDITORS

In New York Vertical, first published in 1997, photographer Horst Hamann depicts the Big Apple in a way he felt it had never before been captured: "[N]o one," he wrote, "had yet looked at the city in a strictly vertical way." That edition, with its unusual size (it stood 19 inches high and 9 inches wide), striking images, and amusing tributes to the city (penned by everyone from Woody Allen to Thomas Zeumer) was an instant hit, despite a price tag of nearly $100. Now, an affordably priced, manageably sized edition (this one's 13-plus inches high and just over 6 inches wide) is available for those who missed out the first time around.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Now in an easy-to-carry format, this award-winning pictorial tribute to the world￯﾿ﾽs most vertical city offers a unique introduction to New York￯﾿ﾽs spectacular architecture. Using a vintage panoramic camera tilted ninety degrees; Hamann spent nearly five years painstakingly setting up shot after shot, often finding himself balancing precariously out a window ledge. His stark black and white compositions lend these photographs a dramatic, often dreamlike quality, and offer unique reinterpretations of the world￯﾿ﾽs most recognizable cityscapes.

SYNOPSIS

An original and astonishing array of images — accompanied by quotations from some of the city￯﾿ﾽs most ardent and well-known fans that capture New York￯﾿ﾽs towering presence in a way no other photographer ever has. This small easy-to-carry format makes a great gift for anyone interested in the architecture and beauty of New York City. Author Biographies: Horst Hamann has traveled and worked extensively in the United States, specifically in New York. He was born in Germany. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Kodak Photobook Award, and he was the subject of a 1998-99 exhibition at the Museum of the City of New York.

FROM THE CRITICS

Forbes Magazine

The perfect book for anyone who has ever stood spellbound on a Midtown street corner, beholding the majesty of Manhattan's towering spires.

New York Post

A standout.

Christopher Lehmann-Haupt - New York Times

. . .[S]pectacular. . .

Christopher Lehmann-Haupt - New York Times