William Wegman Polaroids

Man Ray, William Wegman's first Weimaraner, became a central figure in Wegman's photographs and videotapes, known in the art world and beyond for his endearing deadpan presence. In 1978, Wegman was invited by Polaroid Corporation to try out its mammoth 20 x 24" camera, and he began a series of photographs featuring Man Ray that were published in Abrams' Man's Best Friend. In 1986 a new dog, Fay Ray, came into Wegman's life and soon thereafter another famous collaboration began. After Man Ray died in 1982, Wegman continued his exploration of the medium with non-canine subjects, and he also began to work with the expanding universe of Fay Ray's progeny. Throughout the years, Wegman has maintained an extraordinary level of creativity, capturing his versatile subjects in a seemingly limitless variety of poses and guises. This book gathers together the best of his work - hundreds of unique, large-format photographs - with an insightful and candid essay by the artist exploring his experiences with the camera and his exceptional models. Though many of these images have become well known through exhibitions, books, and his best-selling calendars, some of the best had never been published when this book was originally released in 2002.