Light Through the Trees
About the Book
“I don’t compose pictures, I find them in the colors, patterns, and shadows of the trees in front of me. While I walk, I let my feelings well up in my consciousness. My feelings guide me to find what I’m seeing and feeling and distill it into a picture.”A beloved and popular Illinois institution, The Morton Arboretum welcomes one million annual visitors to walk its trails and view the 4,200 tree species on the grounds. Peter J. Vagt has photographed the Arboretum for over twenty years. This collection showcases eighty-four of his favorite works, each one in full color. Vagt's close attention to place and time reflects both his profound connection to the Arboretum and its preeminence as a sanctuary for anyone in search of transcendence in nature.
A celebration of The Morton Arboretum in its centenary year, Light Through the Trees is the perfect keepsake or gift for anyone who admires trees and believes in their restorative power.
About the Author
Peter J. Vagt is a photographer and retired geologist living in Nashville, Tennessee. He began to visit The Morton Arboretum while in college. He has sold prints of his work at the Arboretum Store since 1999.Reviews
"Within its more than 100 pages, Vagt takes readers through the seasons within the 1,700 acre public garden with pictures of vivid color, and tranquil scenes of nature that look as if you're peering at something fairytale-like. " --Chicago TribuneBlurbs
“Wonderful and interesting. This book challenges the stereotype of the Midwest as flyover country. The photographs are strong but what makes them unique is their association with the specific place.”--Justin Hamm, author of Midwestern
“The photographs are both technically and compositionally great and give a beautiful overview of what you’ll find at the Arboretum. A coffee table book for anyone visiting The Morton Arboretum or anyone who loves nature.”--Tytia Habing, national photographer