Recognizing strangeness in familiar objects, the present in the past, the artificial in the authentic-the four masterly photographers in this collection offer glimpses of a world that blurs the boundary between reality and imagination. Showcasing the work of Thomas Demand, Philip-Lorca diCorcia, Andreas Gursky, and Jeff Wall, this book presents four photographers whose images skillfully interrogate the possibilities and limitations of their medium.

Working with both analog and digital technologies, each photographer not only formulates a wholly distinct way of seeing reality but also analyzes human perception itself, inviting viewers to individually interpret their works. Their subjects range from fleeting everyday scenes to mysterious events and re-enacted historical happenings. What these images all share is the artists' intent to meld the documentary--traditionally seen as photography's cardinal virtue--with the fictional. This exclusive volume presents the works of the stars of the contemporary international photography scene.