Soul [Paperback]

Thierry Le Goues (Photographer), Veronica Webb (Introduction)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

At times Thierry Le Goues appears to be more of a sculptor than a photographer. His photographs of female nudes seem to depict figures more chiseled from stone than made of flesh and blood. Some images echo the streamlined, abstract human forms of sculptor Constantin Brancusi. In other shots, the stark contrast of light on the models' dark skin makes them appear like graceful, futuristic automatons. Le Goues, a fashion photographer by trade, began taking and collecting the photos for this book in order to expose the beauty of black women, whom he feels are underrepresented in the world of high-fashion modeling. Of the finished collection, he says: "Soul is an homage to my medium, which is the models who are my inspiration." To create his inimitable signature portraits, Le Goues covers his models--women such as Naomi Campbell and Iman--in greasepaint and poses them against stark, vacant backgrounds to heighten the sculptural elements of their forms. The resulting photographs are sensual, stirring, and beautiful works of art. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"Soul is about love and fascination with photography as well as women." -- American Photo

"Soul is heartfelt and erotic." -- Vibe

"Thierry Le Gous captures the sublime beauty of Iman, Naomi, and Kiara." -- French Vogue

Soul is about love and fascinationwith photography as well as women. -- American Photo

Soul is heartfelt and erotic -- Vibe

Thierry Le Gous captures the sublime beauty of Iman, Naomi, and Kiara -- French Vogue --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 104 pages
• Publisher: powerHouse Books (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1576870413
• ISBN-13: 978-1576870419
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 0.3 x 13 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,812,535 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Black is BEAUTIFUL ALL OVER AGAIN!!!!!, August 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Soul (Hardcover)

Browsing briefly in a bookstore across the street from NYU''s Tisch School of the Arts, I came upon this book; Its cover caught my eye, and when I retrieved it to open and see what lied WITHIN the book that old saying ''Don''t judge a book by its cover!'' came to my mind, because the cover (to me) was amazing... BUT THE BOOK''S CONTENTS WERE PHENOMENAL!! My jaw dropped as I looked at my gorgeous Black sisters (such as Naomi Campbell, Iman, Karen Alexander and Alek Wek)in images like I have NEVER seen them captured in before. Because I collect imagery of the Black male and female nude (from the late Mapplethorpe to today''s Dwight Gossett, Rundu, and Herb Ritts), I was sure to add this book of wonderful Black female art to my collection. I tell my friends all about this book, and plan to give it as a gift to some. If you love images of the Black female, this book IS for you! NO DOUBT! I am just WAITING for the enlarged prints to come out, because ANY of the images in this book would add LOADS of ''flava'' to a home''s interior.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A unique book in the photographic genre with a rare theme, June 4, 1999

By 

Kevin Walker (Geneva Switzerland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Soul (Hardcover)

I believe 'Soul' to be one of only a couple of books that give due respect to the Black female form.The images have a refreshing feel about them,well illustrated and are free from that pornographic type of discourse so dominant in the way White culture view women of colour.

Soul,though not cheap,would make a wonderful addition to any photographic collection and a pleasant change from the boring catalogue of existing imagery dipicting White women.

Perhaps Soul may even go somewhere towards changing the perceptions of the dominant culture in the fashion industry,allowing Black practitioners,like myself,an opportunity to secure more employment and utilise more Black people in the creative processes.

4.0 out of 5 stars Very nice nudes, July 14, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Soul (Hardcover)

In this book, you will find very nice images of Naomi (two portraits), Iman and other Black Models, who are pictured in a very artistic way, which makes their beauty appeal to the reader. A very nice gift for a friend !