© Tina West

A unifying thread of simplicity exists throughout Tina West’s work. She uses a single light source, which causes seemingly meaningless objects to cast shadows that evoke a sense of wonder and awe.

From Kansas City, Tina West discovered photography while studying sculpture. Living in New York since 1989, she is a commercial photographer working for clients such as Knopf Books, Vintage Books, Simon & Schuster, Citibank, Atlantic Records, Elle Magazine and Scientific American Magazine. This image is currently on view in the exhibition, MINUTES, at The Robin Rice Gallery through April 25.

All photographs © Joel Sartore. Mexican Gray Wolf, Canis lupus baileyi; population 392; Wild Candid Center, Eureka, Missouri.

National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore began photographing North America’s endangered animal and plant species as a personal project. It grew into a decades-long endeavor. His new book, RARE: Portraits of America’s Endangered Species (National Geographic Focal Point, hardcover, $24), which was released today, gathers 80 of his photographs with text profiles that introduce readers to each species and detail the reasons for their endangerment. Sartore also includes personal anecdotes about the animals and how he made many of the photographs. Sartore’s book visually celebrates the biodiversity of the American continent and gives readers a sense of the forces—man-made and otherwise—influencing the survival of these species. The book also includes several species that coming back from the precipice of extinction. Below are a selection of images from Sartore’s book, along with his anecdotes. (more…)

© Howard Schatz

A portrait of actor Jeff Goldblum (star of Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Independence Day, Jurassic Park, and The Fly) by Howard Schatz. This image was included in the winners gallery of the 2009 PDN Faces Portrait Photography Contest. The 2010 Contest is currently open for entries until April 5, but enter today to avoid late fees. A People’s Choice winner will also be selected.

© Richard Misrach, Untitled, 2007. Archival pigment print, 17 3/8 x 23 1/4 inches. From The Elton AIDS Foundation Portfolio.

This image will be on display with the Jackson Fine Art at this year’s AIPAD show from March 18th-21st. For more details about the AIPAD Photography Show New York , click here. For more work from Richard Misrach and Jackson Fine Art, click here.

© Rich Gastwirt

Music photographer Rich Gastwirt captures James Hetfield of Metallica handing his pick to a lucky fan. The band “had a theater in the round situation and were running all about the stage, making photographers chase them around whack-a-mole style.”

This image was the People’s Choice winner in the Ultimate Music Moment Contest. See more rockin’ images here.