Rating: 
Summary: beautiful photography; but hardly african in content . . .
Review: a severe criticism; hardly; i love african women . . .after all the hullabaloo; i finally ordered and received "black ladies" this week. the photos may be beautiful as the "african" women most definitely are; but . . . the same esthetic effect could have been achieved anywhere in the world where there are black women. the connection between these women and africa is conspicuous by it's absence . . . i'm sorry but i do not share the gushing response as portrayed by many readers. and to those who rave over the sensuality of some of the women; obviously you are similarly unaccustomed to africa and it's beauty. there is very little within the pages which is representative of africa. uwe ommer lacks the cultural knowledge insight of the continent to be able to capture this very deep sentiment african ark and africa adorned are far more representative of this very special aspect of africa and it's beautiful women. (anyone want to buy my book from me . . ?) having said this; i will still look out for noumia and asian ladies. i have been photographing african and black american women for many years and have been able to capture the subtle nuances which lends to the cultural aspect of the various women. figure studies are just that - figure studies. but capturing africa through the bodies and forms and subtlties that only african woman can project; is another thing. this takes a deep knowledge and insight that cannot be plucked out of one's photographic expertise. most world renowned photographers just do not have this. a friend of mine karl de haan once published a book african image - i think, in the early seventies which is far more representative of african women.
Rating:
Summary: beautiful photography; but hardly african in content . . .
Review: a severe criticism; hardly; i love african women . . . after all the hullabaloo; i finally ordered and received "black ladies" this week. the photos may be beautiful as the "african" women most definitely are; but . . . the same esthetic effect could have been achieved anywhere in the world where there are black women. the connection between these women and africa is conspicuous by it's absence . . . i'm sorry but i do not share the gushing response as portrayed by many readers. and to those who rave over the sensuality of some of the women; obviously you are similarly unaccustomed to africa and it's beauty. there is very little within the pages which is representative of africa. uwe ommer lacks the cultural knowledge insight of the continent to be able to capture this very deep sentiment african ark and africa adorned are far more representative of this very special aspect of africa and it's beautiful women. (anyone want to buy my book from me . . ?) having said this; i will still look out for noumia and asian ladies. i have been photographing african and black american women for many years and have been able to capture the subtle nuances which lends to the cultural aspect of the various women. figure studies are just that - figure studies. but capturing africa through the bodies and forms and subtlties that only african woman can project; is another thing. this takes a deep knowledge and insight that cannot be plucked out of one's photographic expertise. most world renowned photographers just do not have this. a friend of mine karl de haan once published a book african image - i think, in the early seventies which is far more representative of african women.
Rating:
Summary: A charm
Review: A very good book, with pictures that have additional substance beyond the nakedness of the girls. Uwe proved that blacks van be photographed well, both from technical point of view and artistic point of view.
Rating:
Summary: A must for your coffee table!
Review: As a woman of African descent, I was thrilled when I saw the pocket sized version of Uwe Ommer's "Black Ladies" on a weekend visit with my girlfriend. Upon returning to NY, I immediately began searching for a full size copy for my home. The photography was breathtaking. I was flattered, because I saw reflections of myself and my sister-friends the way I see us: graceful, sexy, luscious, strong, lithe, dark and lovely. Everyone who comes to my home is immediately drawn to the book and leaves vowing to purchase a copy of their own. Don't listen to the negative criticisms. This is a purchase worth making if you love nudes and you love black beauty. Definately buy it!
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful pictures of beautiful ladies
Review: Every men who loves black ladies have to buy this book. Beautiful pictures of black ladies are rare. So this book is your chance.
Rating:
Summary: Black Ladies
Review: Greetings, from the "Land of the Morning Calm", Taegu, South Korea. Photographer, Uwe Ommer, has truly captured the beauty of the AfroAmerican woman. For anyone who enjoys books on photography, especially the "female nude" this book is a must. The women in this book are strong, erotic, and sensual. Quality, paper texture, locations, color just to name a few areas, is superb. If your looking for, or think this is the standard "sleeze" book or magazine, "don't order". If you are into genuine classic, and beautiful photograghy. Order today. I can't wait for my "Asian Ladies" to arrive.
Rating: 
Summary: Incredible Photography
Review: I am a student of photography and enjoy glamor and portraiture best of all. When I started thumbing through Black Ladies in a local bookstore recently, I could not put the book down. The models photographed had a look in their eyes that spoke of joy and innocence. Some photographs were more "serious" and had a deep soulful yearning that is seldom seen in any publication. One of the most impressive aspects of the photographs was the use colors that contrasted the skin tone of the models. Accessories such as scarves, beads, shawls and sarongs were of deep reds, rich blues and bright yellows and greens. The back drops played off of these colors and provide a rich tapestry of texture and color to each image. The poses, providing the form, and the expressions, the beauty that makes this collection of photographs irresistable. Although the book features nude models, nudity is a secondary element, with breasts, shoulders and hands providing form and subtleties of color, shadow and detail. What is most captivating are the expressions of optimism and openness. Expressions seldom seen in black America. As a collection of photographs celebrating the beauty of black women and Africa, Black Ladies is hard to resist. What is missing though, is the technical information on creating these beautiful images. The texture, detail and color rendition raises questions for photographers, both amature and professional, about camera format, film stock and lighting. The photographs are so captivating that one has to stop to think about how they were (or might have been) created. Many are shot outdoors, but some are obviously shot in a studio with what appears to be artificial lighting. I would rather have the technical information than the spoken words of Calixthe Beyala. The images speak for themselves. If only Uwe Ommer had collaborated with Michael Busselle ("Better Picture Guide to Photographing People") or included a section with technical details, Black Ladies would have been a complete body of work for all.
Rating: 
Summary: Black women through a white lens
Review: I don't know much about Benedikt Staff Taschen, but I do know that he directs this book to a white audience. First, how else can you explain why every woman is wearing either a headdress or an obvious weave the size of a bouffant hairdo. The better to appeal to a European audience? Second, Mr. Taschen ignores one of the most beautiful parts of the Black female anatomy--the rear end. I understand that some ethnic groups are fixated on the female breasts but this should not be to the exculsion of a just as appealing part of the female anatomy, an appreciation shared by many ethnic men.
All in all, though, Mr. Taschen has a great eye--he chose some gorgeous women to photograph. My only other gripe is that there are too few photographs. Mr. Taschen should have used the space he allotted to poems (what a waste) on more photographs. The poems added nothing worthwhile to the book. There are precious few books devoted to Black female models and despite its flaws, this book is a great addition to the subject.
Rating:
Summary: The book is about Black Ladies
Review: I give the book a high rating. The pictures are lovely. The subject matter is lovely. I think that the reviewer who was disappointed that there werent many shades of "black" ladies... I think he failed to realize the book IS about "Black Ladies" not Afrikan ladies... In continental Afrika you are only called "black" IF your skin tone is closer to "black", therefore cocoa, cafe latte, brown and tan complected women would not be pictured. "Black" as synonymous with Afrikan descent is solely a western concept. Although used by westerners to label ALL Afrikan peoples...because next to Europeans and an Afrikan would be called black no matter how fair there skin is because there skin is not "white" next to a European, Afrikans do not call each other black unless their skin actually is near to black. Take the Fulani for instance, or an Algerian and a Dogon. So, therefore I agree with the title "black ladies" and the pictures are lovely.
Rating:
Summary: The book is about Black Ladies
Review: I give the book a high rating. The pictures are lovely. The subject matter is lovely. I think that the reviewer who was disappointed that there werent many shades of "black" ladies... I think he failed to realize the book IS about "Black Ladies" not Afrikan ladies... In continental Afrika you are only called "black" IF your skin tone is closer to "black", therefore cocoa, cafe latte, brown and tan complected women would not be pictured. "Black" as synonymous with Afrikan descent is solely a western concept. Although used by westerners to label ALL Afrikan peoples...because next to Europeans and an Afrikan would be called black no matter how fair there skin is because there skin is not "white" next to a European, Afrikans do not call each other black unless their skin actually is near to black. Take the Fulani for instance, or an Algerian and a Dogon. So, therefore I agree with the title "black ladies" and the pictures are lovely.
| 
