The collection of portraits is a unique look into photos that have endured the test of time, along with the brilliant minds that were behind the lenses at the moment they were made.

“We have come to a point in history where we are losing both photographic recording mediums and iconic photographers,” Mantoani says about the book. “While many people are familiar with iconic photographs, the general public has no idea of who created them. This book became a means to do that, the photographer and their photograph in one image.”

Film for the 20×24-inch Polaroid camera costs $200 per shot. “If you are going to call the greatest living photographers and ask to make a photo of them and you are shooting 35mm digital, they may not take your call,” the photographer says. “But if you say you are shooting 20×24 Polaroid, they will at least listen to your pitch.”

Here is a sampling of fantastic portraits found in “Behind Photographs”:

Carl Fischer and “Muhammad Ali”

David Doubilet and “Circle of Barracuda, New Ireland, Papua New Guinea”

Jeff Widener and “Tank Man” Mary Ellen Mark and “Ram Prakash Singh”

Thomas Mangelson and “Brown bear, Brooks Falls Katmai National Park, Alaska”

Source: http://petapixel.com/