This stunning oversize volume features twenty extraordinary daguerreotype portraits by Chuck Close. Over the course of two years, Close worked with daguerreotype master Jerry Spagnoli to conquer the complexities of this venerable process, which yields images of astonishing detail and gravity. He photographed many of the same artist-friends who have made regular appearances in his paintings over the years: Laurie Anderson, Lyle Ashton-Harris, Cecily Brown, Gregory Crewdson, Carroll Dunham, Ellen Gallagher, Philip Glass, Bob Holman, Elizabeth Murray, Elizabeth Peyton, Andres Serrano, Cindy Sherman, James Siena, Lorna Simpson, Kiki Smith, James Turrell, Robert Wilson, Terry Winters, Lisa Yuskavage, and himself.

Lyrical praise poems by Bob Holman, a celebrated New York School poet, were commissioned to accompany each photograph. The poems are concise, witty, and beautifully typeset to reflect the personality and style of each person portrayed. As individual portraits, each image offers an intimate and immensely revealing study of the subject, extending the hyperrealist tradition of portraiture for which Close is renowned. With the counterpoint of Holman's engaging poetry, the collected work becomes a transfixing group portrait of Close's influential and highly creative circle of friends and colleagues, as well as an exploration of a challenging photographic medium. Lyle Rexer's interview with Close and Holman offers a lively exploration of portraiture, photography, and creative collaboration.

A Couple of Ways of Doing Something was originally published, in 2004, as a limited-edition portfolio (75 copies, plus artist's and other proofs; $15,000). The new Aperture edition makes this unique collaborative project available to a wider audience while preserving the luxurious sensibility of the limited edition. Each image is gorgeously reproduced in rich tritone; each poem is reproduced from press proofs of the letterpress originals, composed by renowned typographer Ruth Lingen.

This project was made possible, in part, through the generous support of Lannan Foundation and Carey C. Shuart.