As one of the greatest women photographers of the century, Imogen Cunningham (1883-1976) photographed nature with a celebratory spirit while retaining a firm dedication to photographic technique. Her childhood fascination with the beauty and complexities of nature led her to photograph all kinds of plant life, from simple flower arrangements to elaborate compositions of exotic ferns and lilies. This collection of black-and-white botanical images spans 55 years of work and development. The images are accompanied by a biocritical essay by Richard Lorenz, noted photography curator and writer, placing Cunningham's work in the context of her contemporaries and colleagues: Edward Weston, Ansel Adams, Johan Hagemeyer and many other premiere photographers of the botanical world. To complete the celebration of the plant world, the book includes technical notes on illustrated plant species, a chronology and a selected bibliography.