High Society Chicken Portraits

Chickens: the tasty and the under- appreciated birds of the animal kingdom. Photographer Tamara Staples shows us another side to the simple chicken in her photo series "The Magnificent Chicken." Staples travels to poultry shows to photograph show chickens, redefining the humble and juicy barnyard entree into a display of aristocratic brilliance. Spotlighting a variety of show chicken breeds that range from Buff Cochin Bantam Hens to White Showgirl Bantam Cockerels, Staples captures the dignity and poise that is chickenin the style of Dutch high society portraits. Each portrait is complete with a backdrop of fancy fabrics to magnify each bird's unique characteristics and colouring. The lighting not only showcases the detailed feather textures and lustrous plumage, but also an oddly human expression that works to strangely transform these poultry breeds from dinner plate delights into individual works of art.