Abstract plumage photos treated with care and consideration by Studio Baer

When Studio Baer’s gorgeous book of Thomas Lohr’s plumage photographs arrived in the studio last week, I waxed lyrical about its Japanese paper cover, which felt unlike anything I have ever had the good fortune to stroke before. Add in the subtle, debossed title and I was in publication heaven, but the rest of the editorial team wasn’t so sure –“like weird rubber/reminds me of fingernails down a blackboard/gives me goose pimples” those philistines mewled.

But like a power-mad general I am sticking to my guns – it’s a brilliant cover and the rest of the book is stunning too. It helps that Thomas’ pictures are so striking – birds’ feathers shot up close to become rich and varied abstract images – all glossy blues, delicate pinks and shimmering oranges. But that shouldn’t detract from what the Studio Baer team has achieved with its calm, beautifully-paced art direction and high quality touches like the white thread binding. Come for the birds, stay for the weird rubber…