Rating: 
Summary: what good hype can do
Review: I struggled with my rating of this book...I'm not sure that Ommer's intent was to capture all the nuances of African culture in this book. Sometimes imagery is just that - imagery - to be enjoyed for nothing more than it's esthetics. If you're looking for beautiful images of "black ladies", this book delivers. If you want a cultural perspective, or insight into African women, you won't necessarily find it here.I agree with 'A reader' that "...the same esthetic effect could have been achieved anywhere in the world where there are black women." In fact, I wish Ommer would have done that. I expected to see women in different locations (at least the US, UK, the Caribbean, etc.), although I'm not sure if Ommer's budget would allow that. I would also like to have seen more variety, as there are black women of all complexions, shapes, and sizes. While I'm on the subject of variety, I think Ommer should have varied his poses a little more. Overall I continue to enjoy this work for what it is - gorgeous photos of gorgeous women.
Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful Images
Review: I struggled with my rating of this book...I'm not sure that Ommer's intent was to capture all the nuances of African culture in this book. Sometimes imagery is just that - imagery - to be enjoyed for nothing more than it's esthetics. If you're looking for beautiful images of "black ladies", this book delivers. If you want a cultural perspective, or insight into African women, you won't necessarily find it here. I agree with 'A reader' that "...the same esthetic effect could have been achieved anywhere in the world where there are black women." In fact, I wish Ommer would have done that. I expected to see women in different locations (at least the US, UK, the Caribbean, etc.), although I'm not sure if Ommer's budget would allow that. I would also like to have seen more variety, as there are black women of all complexions, shapes, and sizes. While I'm on the subject of variety, I think Ommer should have varied his poses a little more. Overall I continue to enjoy this work for what it is - gorgeous photos of gorgeous women.
Rating: 
Summary: Brilliant photography, wonderfull black skin, superbly lit
Review: Knowing that maybe most people who enjoy Ommer`s photographs are male, I, as a woman, want to state, that the photographs for me are creating a wonderfull atmosphere in their African setting. Some shots of just skin with maybe a drop of water on, are just brilliant. Luckily enough I met Uwe Ommer on his phototour in Africa (1000 families for the year 2000) and watched the way he worked with the people (amateur models so to speak), and was truly impressed by his professionality and insight in people. I am waiting for that book to complement his photos of mainly black girls, now with photos of families of all over the planet.
Rating:
Summary: these photos are simply mesmerizing, i'm in love
Review: loved the photos and especially the subject matter, uwe, you have a fan
Rating:
Summary: Wow! Beautiful Black women who actually look... Black!
Review: Lovely photographs of women of African descent. Although when I bought the book, I had the impression the photographer had used everyday indigenous African women. Flipping through the book, I found that I recognized some as fairly successful African-American models. No matter -- beautiful women nonetheless... Nice to see an appreciation of black beauty that doesn't rely upon dark-skinned women with basically Caucasian features...
Rating:
Summary: what good hype can do
Review: Solid amateur photography intelligently marketed, proof that a well designed package can sell well. Does it then really matter if the "Black Ladies" book is slightly better than "Asian Ladies"? Both books aren't worth the money in my opinion but of course others might think different.
Rating:
Summary: Photography As Poetry
Review: The thing that makes this book so unique is the emphasis on the counteneances of the models involved -- the face of each lady is given at least as much emphasis as the rest of her body. This makes the photos seem like pictures of individuals and not a mere cattle call like so many other erotic/semi-erotic photo essays seem to degenerate into. The gaze that the models wear is one of the most important components of the book. One wonders what the individuals are thinking when looking at them, and the gazes are such that they cannot be readily avoided. You will not find any of those "come get me" looks common to the models in most men's magazines which seem to portray the ladies as being halfway to orgasm. The typical objectification of the female form so common in nude photos is noticeably (and thankfully) absent here. Also the feeling that these models are "posing" is usually absent (except in a few photos); they seem to be caught in a natural setting and the nudity here seems as natural as can be (perhaps the ideal that nudists hope for) -- this is all a tribute to Ommer's artistry. The photographs in this book are sometimes slightly erotic, but the word that comes to my mind in describing them is "sensual" -- the nudes are done tastefully, so one is not left with the feeling that one is looking at some sort of disguised soft porn -- the models seem perfectly comfortable and natural and do not seem to be ashamed of their bodies, but one is not given the sense that they are flaunting them either. Sexuality is not ignored, but is not brazen . . . it is incorporated into the general poise of the individual concerned . . . not being the sole or most important thing, but not submerged and hidden in shame or coyness either. There are no pictures that depict the ladies here in degrading acts or in "exposed" fashion -- the genitals are never exposed and the nudes do not seem violated in any way by the interest of the onlooker -- they retain their dignity and humanity throughout the book. This is one of the closest attempts to put poetry to colour in the form of photographs. The one big minus here is that the ladies all seem to a certain degree to be exeplifiers of the traditional European beauty ethic . . . whereas all the ladies here are "black", and naturally most have the typical Africanesque features . . . prominent lips, wide nasal ridge, and so on . . . all of them are relatively thin. This is unfortunate, because there are parts of Africa in which very large women are considered very erotic . . . much more so than those with very thin and petite body types. Also, all of the ladies featured in this book seem to be under 35 or so, even though it is well known that older women can also be very beautiful, especially considering the fact that the countenances play such an important role in this book. Not perfect, but very close.
Rating:
Summary: Lovely
Review: There is a problem with this book. No, not the poems which are deep; no, not the photos which are crisp. The problem is there is no way to contact these beautiful women. The women are so lovely and for a picture book on lovely women... well, buy this book.
Rating:
Summary: A Book For Anyone Who Loves The Beauty of Black Women.
Review: This book is a real gem, I was first shown the postcard book by a friend of mine, and it just took my breath away. It is for anyone who truly admires the beauty of black women, and while it does not necessarily cover the full spectrum of African-American women's beauty, I found it to be quite satisfactory and a more than worthwhile purchase. This book had been out of print for some time,so I appluad [bookstore]/Amazon.com. for making it available again, Keep Up The Good Work Guys.
Rating:
Summary: Stunning photography of African women
Review: This collection is a must for anyone who appreciates the beauty of women of African descent. The photos burst with color, and are so crisp you'd swear the subject is only inches away. Well, one can dream I suppose. Although I don't particularly care for poetry, there is an abundance scattered throughout the book.
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