[新聞] 「動物肖像」寫真比人類更像人類

他如何讓牠們坐得住，我們不知道。但是曾獲獎的英國攝影師法拉奇(Tim Flach)就是有辦法。結果就是讓你在這裡看到的畫面。

54歲的法拉奇完成了這一輯讓人難以置信的「動物肖像」寫真，神奇的抓住了每一隻動物微妙、變化複雜的表情。這種情景，跟人類拍照時所呈現的面貌多樣性，並無二致。

之前，法拉奇因為拍攝狗狗的作品而獲得世人注意。後來，他就把關注對象轉移到野生動物身上。

他最新的攝影專題名稱是「比人類更像人類」(More Than Human)，主角是各種野生動物，從各種猴子、猿類、貓熊、到光禿禿竹雞都有。

法拉奇在他的網站上說：「雖然是不同的動物或物種，但近距觀察牠們的身體語言：臉、手或肢體，我們會不由自主的拿牠們來跟目身比較。直視牠們的眼，好奇的審視為什麼牠們會跟我們人類是如此的相像。｣

Almost human: Photographer's intimate studio portraits that show wild creatures making unnervingly similar gestures to us

How he got them to sit still, we don't know.
But somehow award-winning UK-based photographer Tim Flach managed it, and this was the result.

The 54-year-old has created a collection of incredible photographic portraits of animals so intimate they reveal the complex emotions of their subjects. And the emotions on show look strikingly familiar to our own.

These stunning pictures were created by UK-based photographer Tim Flach, who has made a name taking intimate photos of animals

Mr Flach is known for his highly-stylized animal portraits. His work aims to capture the emotion animals evoke in humans

Almost humanlike: Turned away from the camera, this gorilla was captured for a spectacularly intimate shot

After receiving worldwide attention for his photographs of dogs and horses in projects titled Dogs Gods and Equus, Mr Flach, from London, turned his attention to more exotic creatures.

His latest project, titled More Than Human, consists of intimate studio portraits of various wild animals, from various monkeys and apes to specially-bredfeatherless chickens.

The description of Mr Flach’s work on his website reads: 'Although drawn from different animal species, Tim Flach brings his subjects into such close focus that we begin to read their poses and gestures as we would the body language of a human figure, face or hand [...] We find ourselves irresistibly drawn into a distinctly anthropomorphic tête à tête, suddenly able to see eye to eye with a curiously kindred species whose behavior is not unlike our own.'

London-based photographer Tim Flach's latest project, titled More Than Human, consists of intimate studio portraits of various wild animals, from various monkeys and apes to specially-bred featherless chickens

Mr Flach has received worldwide attention for his photographs of dogs and horses in projects titled Dogs Gods and Equus. Now he has turned his attention to more exotic creatures

Near naked: A chicken pictured mid-stride with one eye on the camera

Spreading its wings: Up close and personal with a peacock

This portrait of an elephant shows it spouting water from its trunk

Tim Flach brings his subjects into such close focus that we begin to read their poses and gestures as we would the body language of a human figure, face or hand

Sad eyes: This orangutan is pictured gazing out of shot, thoughtfully

A capuchin monkey picks at his finger, and looks surprised (left) while a rare white tiger (right) is intrigued

Mr Flach graduated from the renowned St Martins School of Art in London and has spent the past 20 years working taking pictures for advertising.

He has worked for Adidas, Cirque du Soleil, Jaguar and Sony during his career. But more recently he become known for his highly-stylized animal portraits. His work aims to capture the emotion animals evoke in humans.

To do this, he brings his subjects into such close focus that the viewer begins to read the gestures and body language as we would a human being.

His work has been widely exhibited in the UK, U.S. and Far East and he has also lectured extensively around the world.
The photos will go on display at the Osborne Samuel Gallery in London's Mayfair from December 5 to 21.