Uwe Ommer: Black Ladies [Paperback]

Calixthe Beyala (Author), Uwe Ommer (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2004

Uwe Ommer, a sought-after commercial photographer based in New York and Paris, has made a name for himself with his own uncommissioned works, as this book eloquently attests. For the aesthete Uwe Ommer, the bodies of black women represent the epitome of beauty. His photographs are exactly what they show, no more and no less than a homage to female beauty. And of course that homage is paid in the perfect setting, the stunning landscape of Africa.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Original Language: French, English, German --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

The photographer:
Uwe Ommer became fascinated with photography at a young age and in 1962 moved to Paris, where he initially worked as a photographer’s assistant. Within a few years, he opened his own photography studio, primarily shooting fashion and advertising photos. Quickly gaining respect for his work in Paris, Ommer began showing in local galleries and eventually published his first book, Photoedition Uwe Ommer, in 1979, a collection of personal and advertising works. In the following years, he would publish five more books of his photographs. In 2002, Uwe Ommer was awarded an Honorary Fellowship to the Royal Photographic Society for the impact of his lifetime of work. His books for TASCHEN include Black Ladies, Asian Ladies, Transit, and 1000 Families.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Taschen (March 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3822832057
• ISBN-13: 978-3822832059
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,424,140 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Masterpiece Color Nudes, June 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Black Ladies (Paperback)

This is the book that established Uwe Ommer as a master of the nude in color. The photos are fantastically lit with a beautiful natural romantic lighting that yields deeply saturated colors, yet fantastically beautiful skin tones. It is rare to see such beautiful skin tones in photos!

The images are at the same time very erotic and very tasteful. The women are just gorgeous, and the naturalness of their poses and expressions draws the viewer in to the photos.

If you appriciate nudes this is a must have. If you are bored by the typical color nudes you see in the mass media, such as Playboy, you will probably find this book refreshing.

If you appriciate the beauty of black women and long for images that show extreamly attractive exotic black women, you will enjoy this book.

If you do not appricate the beauty of black women, you may completely change your mind after looking through this book.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Incredible Photography, December 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Black Ladies (Paperback)

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.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for your coffee table!, August 22, 2000

By 

NeoSensual Woman "NeoSensual Woman" (NY Metropolitan Area) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Ladies (Paperback)

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!