Petals [Hardcover]

Nick Karras (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 2003

the collection of photography in Petals captures the unigue beauty and central mystery of a womans body - the full flower of her vulva

Editorial Reviews

Review

Karras has mastered the art of capturing the beauty of women's essence...exploring the primal source of sexual magic. -- Linda E. Savage, Ph.D. author of Reclaming Goddess Sexuality

Petals is a joyful journey through a vulva garden of delights -- Betty Dodson Ph.D. author of Orgasms For Two

These are very delicate images. Karras has approached the subject with very near a botanist's eye. -- A.D. Coleman, international recognized art critic

About the Author

Nick Karras is a professional photographyin San Diego, California. His erotic work has been featured at galleries internationally.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Crystal River Publishing (August 15, 2003)
• ISBN-10: 097435628X
• ISBN-13: 978-0974356280
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 8.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #348,470 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Nick Karras is a man of many talents. He is a photographer and the author of Petals, a break-though book presenting stunningly beautiful images of vulvas. A documentary of his work on the project is the subject of an award-winning film,Petals - Journey Into Self-Discovery. The varied range of his erotic photography has been exhibited in many venues and media - the Seattle Erotic Arts Festival, the Los Angeles Museum of Sex, Victoria Erotica Festival, Bravo TV (UK), VaginaFest events, and more.Nick has received a prestigious Sexual Intelligence Award by Dr. Marty Klein.

Nick is also a teacher. His Doctorate degree in Sexology was awarded by the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality (IASHS) in San Francisco. Aside from teaching photographic skills at various Lifestyle conventions and festivals, he has been a featured speaker and workshop leader at SSSS (The Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality) and ASEP (Association of Sexual Energy Professionals).

Because of his necessarily intimate and honest encounters with women and men in sensuous settings, Nick has gained unique insights into both the fantasies and the reality of human beings. His investigation into taboo subjects has allowed him to experience the basic nature of most sexual problems. For example, from his controversial work in the Petals project, came his workshop: "Images of Vulvas as a Healing Experience." His inventive approach to the life's sexual dilemmas combined with his delicate aesthetic sense make him an outstanding personal mentor.

In his current photo project, Naked Wisdom, he is turning his camera on the wise elders of our society for their wisdom and knowledge of self love and body acceptance. Working with his wife, Sayaka, a psychologist and sexologist, they are seeking out 60 plus generation for their insight to life through story telling and personalized interviews and photographically capturing the beautiful radiance of their nude body.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Educational and Inspiring November 17, 2006

By Shannon Bertha

Format:Hardcover

I am a human sexuality professor and use pictures of "Petals" in my classroom. The soft tone of the pictures are a great way to introduce the vulva to beginners who have never really seen vulvas up close and who believe there is only one norm. Quite often after class I am flooded with comments about how these pictures made many of the women feel better about themselves and find beauty in their own petals. I also receive an overwelming response from the men in my classes too. Many have not seen such a wide variety in an up close setting. There are some petals that are shown without hair but this is only a reflection of the times and trends that are seen in pubic hair.

This book is always a coversation starter not only in my classroom but in my personal life as well. many of my friends when over will go through the book and tell me how they always were uncomfortable with their genitals...but now their genitals have become their "petals" and instead of viewing them as uncomfortable, now they are works of art.

All in all I commend Nick Karras for making such a bold move to tackle a topic that many people are fearful and possibly disgusted by and make it into something as beautiful as Petals.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Normal? November 15, 2006

By Julie Freedman

Format:Hardcover

Working as an NP with both men and women who ask me 5 days a week if their 'petals' (I love that word) or the petals of their partners are normal I open up this book and give them time to look thru it..

The vast majority of the time I have had pleased and grateful reviewers. The most common remark is 'not only is mine normal but perhaps.... even beautiful!

I love the reminder that what is sometimes taken for granted, is indeed something to be cherished. Beautiful work!!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Complex and beautiful November 15, 2008

By wiredweird HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Nick Karras's lovely photos capture that most delicate and unique of a woman's features, her outer genitals. Over forty examples appear here, printed in a warm, almost romantic monochrome. Because of the intimate nature of these photos and because of each viewer's personal associations, responses to these photos are sure to be highly varied and individual.

One response simply takes these organic forms as visual abstractions. Viewed that way, simplicity of the basic structure and complexity of the variations create a rich balance that human artists rarely achieve. Another viewer might see these anatomical photos, isolating just of her body's features, as depersonalizing. Paradoxically, one could also see these as deeply personal. Outside of doctors, most people encounter a vulva (other than one's own) only in deeply intimate settings. It seems quite proper that a woman might reserve the most distinctive parts of her physical self for those who already appreciate her uniqueness most. A book like this helps the viewer realize just how wide the range of possible appearances can be, and so emphasizes the individuality of each one.

This book goes well beyond Femalia in some ways. Both books document a range of individual looks, and help to educate men and women in how many different kinds of appearance are all "normal." Karras does more, though. It's slip-case, warm and airy appearance, and rich look and feel all convey respect and importance. That sense of respect, possibly bordering on worship, suits these photos perfectly, and the models' anonymity extends that respect to women everywhere.

-- wiredweird