Elephant On Bare Earth

Nick Brandt is an English contemporary photographer who has primarily worked in Africa. The themes in Brandt’s photography often relate to the destructive impact that humans are having on the natural world and how future generations will inherit the remnants of a once-vibrant planet. Brandt prefers not to use zoom lenses because he feels the animals he photographs are best captured up close.

Brandt studied painting and filmmaking at the Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design in his hometown of London. In 1992, he moved to California, where he became a successful music video director, working with artists such as Michael Jackson, Jewel and Moby. In 1995, while filming Michael Jackson’s “Earth Song” video in Tanzania, he was overcome by the beauty of the wild animals. In 2000, he embarked on a project to document the struggles of East African wildlife living in a landscape that is being overrun by exploding human populations and exploited for its natural resources. He filmed animals in the wild using an approach similar to studio portrait photography, reinforcing that animals are sentient creatures not so different from humans.

Brandt has frequently returned to Africa throughout his career. His acclaimed 2004 book, On This Earth, was followed by two more successful books, A Shadow Falls and Across the Ravaged Land, in 2007 and 2011. During work on the last in this trilogy, in 2010, he co-founded the Big Life Foundation, which fights to protect the animals and ecosystems of a large area of Kenya and Tanzania.

In 2019, Brant published This Empty World, bringing to light the ever-increasing destruction of the East African wilderness, where animals can no longer survive in the wake of human progress. It was his first time using color photography. His 2021 book, A Day May Break, captures the impact of climate change and environmental loss on humans and animals.

On 1stDibs, find Nick Brandt’s photography, prints and more.

There’s a lot to love about black and white photography.

The unique and timeless quality of a black and white photograph accentuates any room. Some might argue that we’re naturally drawn to color photography because it’s the world we know best. This is a shared belief, particularly in the era of camera-phone photography, editing apps and the frenetic immediacy of sharing photos on social media. But when we look at black and white photography, we experience deep, rich shadows and tonal properties in a way that transfixes us. Composition and textures are crisp and engaging. We’re immediately drawn to the subjects of vintage street photography and continue to feel the emotional impact of decades-old photojournalism. The silhouettes of mountains in black and white landscape photography are particularly pronounced, while portrait photography and the skylines of urban cityscapes come to life in monochrome prints.

When decorating with fine photography, keep in mind that some color photographs may not be suitable for every space. However, you can be more daring with black and white photos. The gray tones are classic, sophisticated and generally introduce elegance to any corner of your home, which renders black and white prints amazingly versatile.

Black and white photography adapts to its surroundings like a chameleon might. A single large-scale black and white photograph above the sofa in your living room is going to work with any furniture style, and as some homeowners and designers today are working to introduce more muted tones and neutral palettes to dining rooms and bedrooms, the integration of black and white photography — a hallmark of minimalist decor — is a particularly natural choice for such a setting.

Another advantage to bringing black and white photography into your home is that you can style walls and add depth and character without worrying about disrupting an existing color scheme. Black and white photographs actually harmonize well with accent colors such as yellow, red and green. Your provocative Memphis Group lighting and bold Pierre Paulin seating will pair nicely with the black and white fine nude photography you’ve curated over the years.

Black and white photography also complements a variety of other art. Black and white photos pair well with drawings and etchings in monochromatic hues. They can also form part of specific color schemes. For example, you can place black and white prints in colored picture frames for a pop of color. And while there are no hard and fast rules, it’s best to keep black and white prints separate from color photographs. Color prints stand out in a room more than black and white prints do. Pairing them may detract attention from your black and white photography. Instead, dedicate separate walls or spaces to each.

Once you’ve selected the photography that best fits your space, you’ll need to decide how to hang the images. If you want to hang multiple photos, it’s essential to know how to arrange wall art. A proper arrangement can significantly enhance a living space.

On 1stDibs, explore a vast collection of compelling black and white photography by artists such as Mark Shaw, Jack Mitchell (a photographer you should know), Berenice Abbott and David Yarrow.