Photography book review: New Fashion Photography, Compiled by Paul Sloman, Introduction by Tim Blanks

One of Ruven Afanador's photos from New Fashion Photography (Ruven Afanador)

The 21st century has seen dramatic changes in photography, technology, fashion, and art.

At the centre of these developments is a group of fashion photographers who are breaking new ground in a variety of ways, including cultural referencing, digital imaging, photo manipulation, and the use of new media. This stunningly illustrated book profiles more than 30 artists from around the world through exclusive interviews, commentary, and beautiful images. From Nick Knight's paint-soaked portraits of Lady Gaga and Sean+Seng's dangerous reworkings of Lana del Rey, to the body-image subversions of Alice Hawkins, neo-surrealist fantasies of Miles Aldridge, and the work of Ruven Afanador (left), new fashion portraiture challenges conventional ideas of beauty by confronting us with the unexpected. Throughout the book, these photographers explore avenues previously off-limits to fashion photography, opening the art up to thrilling possibilities.