Almost 70 years after its original publication, the beauty and mystery of this book of photographs remains undiminished. On a formal plane, one can easily understand how Man Ray manipulated the optics of the camera, juxtaposing near and far, object against object, and tactile against transparent. It is also apparent how he deliberately controlled the process of photographic printmaking, using unusual tones of black, white and grey to transform content into spaces, forms and surfaces. However, it is not simply how Man Ray manipulated the technical processes that is significant. How the images function visually is equally important, and the way the photograph bridges or breaks the gap between what is perceived or imagined. Man Ray was the undisputed master of all these techniques, and his legacy continues to inspire and influence photography today.