Every era has its pantheon of female beauty. These illustrious few define the look of their times. With V2, top international photographer Russell James anoints the next generation of supermodels. These alluring young goddesses--including Brooklyn Decker, frequently featured in Sports Illustrated's coveted Swimsuit Issue, or Miranda Kerr--pose amid the natural splendor of a tropical setting. Hidden away from the world, we get a glimpse of what must be paradise.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
"Victoria's Secret" assembled a bevy of gorgeous models for their swimsuit catalog, set against an island backdrop that makes the garden of Eden seem believable. Then, when the swimsuit models had finished the job, they went along with James's request that they drop the swimsuits. This tribute to womanly beauty came from that collaboration of model, photographer, and heavenly island landscape.
As you might expect, the eight models all fit the twenty-something, slim pattern - a wide varity of body types isn't why you'll add this to your collection. Victoria's has discovered that not all beauty has anglo features, however. Jarah's Pacifican appeal and Emanuela's tawny tones widened the palette of faces and features that James could work with. Even then, he managed to infuse each model with a unique personality: Brooklyn's challenging gaze, Emanuela's elegance, Candice's easy familiarity with the wilds, or Lindsay's touch of shyness, for example. Collections exist in which the model is just a prop the photographer uses to create some vision. I far prefer the feel of these photos, where the woman herself seems to define much of how she's seen.
I also appreciate James's respect for the models he works with. These pictures make the most of each woman's individuality. He captures each curve, each line, each freckle or dusting of fuzz with the same attention to detail. And he does so without the faintest whiff of vulgarity. These are simply beautiful women sharing their beauty, with only the warm glow of sensuality native to young, healthy adults.
I had not been aware of Russell James's work before I saw this book. Now, I'll be sure to look for more.
-- wiredweird
As you might expect, the eight models all fit the twenty-something, slim pattern - a wide varity of body types isn't why you'll add this to your collection. Victoria's has discovered that not all beauty has anglo features, however. Jarah's Pacifican appeal and Emanuela's tawny tones widened the palette of faces and features that James could work with. Even then, he managed to infuse each model with a unique personality: Brooklyn's challenging gaze, Emanuela's elegance, Candice's easy familiarity with the wilds, or Lindsay's touch of shyness, for example. Collections exist in which the model is just a prop the photographer uses to create some vision. I far prefer the feel of these photos, where the woman herself seems to define much of how she's seen.
I also appreciate James's respect for the models he works with. These pictures make the most of each woman's individuality. He captures each curve, each line, each freckle or dusting of fuzz with the same attention to detail. And he does so without the faintest whiff of vulgarity. These are simply beautiful women sharing their beauty, with only the warm glow of sensuality native to young, healthy adults.
I had not been aware of Russell James's work before I saw this book. Now, I'll be sure to look for more.
-- wiredweird
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
V2 is a spectacular production in every way. The oversized dimensions (14x11"/36x28cm) of the book itself coupled with the dazzling production quality are guaranteed to WOW all viewers. The photos by Russell James are simply astounding. Admittedly, it helps that he's photographing eight of Victoria's Secret's most alluring swimsuit models on a Caribbean island (BVI) ... but there is more here that meets the eye. As outlined in the essay written by Russell James, the entirety of this project was created after they had all finished working on their commissioned photo-assignment (for Victoria's Secret). The work showcased in V2 was created for the sheer joy of creating something beautiful, something much more powerful than selling swimwear. Richly toned, monochrome, beautifully composed nudes of Brooklyn Decker, Miranda Kerr, Candice Swanpoel, Erin Heatherton, Emanuela de Paula, Jarah Mariano, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and Lindsay Ellingson are featured in what is essentially an exquisite encyclopedia of sensual beauty. This is a magical body of work.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By Maria Swett
Format:Hardcover
Richard Branson's Necker Island is the dreamiest of settings. Especially for photographing nude models. Being a long-time James fan, I am quite delighted to have this book in my collection. His photography is so versatile, and, through black and white as well as color photography, V2 outlines this perfectly: the fusion of the natural setting with tall, thin female bodies in their natural state.
There are eight women posing in this book; each of them beyond gorgeous in their own way. I've decided to outline for you the photos of each model as follows:
Let's begin with my personal favorite: Miranda Kerr. With her sweetheart, baby face, the first of her photos to stand out is one of her crouched on a rock in the ocean, hair slicked back, reminiscent of a delicate sea-creature...but one who is only in fairytales, much like a mermaid. Outside of this book, we'd see her in pink lingerie in the display windows of Victoria's Secret stores. But there's something to be said about the beauty that emits from her naked body. And Mr. James offers us some daring photos of her lower back also, which, lighting-wise are nicely done (and can be considered as a surprises for his fans too).
The rest of these models are in no particular order:
Emanuela de Paula: The most striking of her set of photos here is one with a flower in her mouth. It's what I call sexual surrealism - here the flower reminds me of a certain female body part. Flowers have always been a representation of this throughout literature and art. Russell portrays the water theme here quite well in the photos of de Paula as well. And I think it's apparent he draws comparisons through his photography here that liken her to a water nymph.
Moving along, we see more of the theme of nature through the symbolic trees which serve to uphold the beautiful Candice Swanepool. What we call "Amazonian," Russell James definitely understands where these ladies belong. Candice's photos are probably the most wild out of the bunch--we get to see her nude and climbing, surrounded by leaves.
Next comes Rosie Huntington-Whitely, one of the more timid and innocent-faced models. However this innocence is fused with sexuality. Her nipples are photographed, well, in a manner by which James portrays as dainty.
With her bangs and seductive face, Lindsay Ellington splashing around naked in the water is so playful it makes you want to join her. My favorite is of her standing in the water, with a slight shadow on her back which lets you know the sun is setting as she is being photographed. I sincerely believe that James is a master of natural lighting.
Jarah Mariano, the dark-haired Hawaiian, a real Islander, can be quite suggestive in her photographs. There's one of her hand in her mouth: this is precisely where the photography takes a slight turn and becomes more pornesque.
The most Goddess-like of all of these models, easily, is Erin Heatherton. Even her last name reminds me of a forest fairy. And there she is, with a head band made out of leaves and twigs, and you think "she must speak so softly." And James's photos of her do the same.
Finally there's Brooklyn Decker, her dreamy, waif-like frame, above and underneath the water. I really like how James displays her face to us. In one her eyes are open and fierce. In the following photo, her head is tilted back and her eyes are closed, which makes it seem as though she is reaching sexual arousal.
Russell James really surprised me with this book. He opens doors with close-ups of these models tattoos...something you would never see in a VS catalogue or display case. It's as though we get to know them in a way--James's photography says "this is it, the truth."
There are eight women posing in this book; each of them beyond gorgeous in their own way. I've decided to outline for you the photos of each model as follows:
Let's begin with my personal favorite: Miranda Kerr. With her sweetheart, baby face, the first of her photos to stand out is one of her crouched on a rock in the ocean, hair slicked back, reminiscent of a delicate sea-creature...but one who is only in fairytales, much like a mermaid. Outside of this book, we'd see her in pink lingerie in the display windows of Victoria's Secret stores. But there's something to be said about the beauty that emits from her naked body. And Mr. James offers us some daring photos of her lower back also, which, lighting-wise are nicely done (and can be considered as a surprises for his fans too).
The rest of these models are in no particular order:
Emanuela de Paula: The most striking of her set of photos here is one with a flower in her mouth. It's what I call sexual surrealism - here the flower reminds me of a certain female body part. Flowers have always been a representation of this throughout literature and art. Russell portrays the water theme here quite well in the photos of de Paula as well. And I think it's apparent he draws comparisons through his photography here that liken her to a water nymph.
Moving along, we see more of the theme of nature through the symbolic trees which serve to uphold the beautiful Candice Swanepool. What we call "Amazonian," Russell James definitely understands where these ladies belong. Candice's photos are probably the most wild out of the bunch--we get to see her nude and climbing, surrounded by leaves.
Next comes Rosie Huntington-Whitely, one of the more timid and innocent-faced models. However this innocence is fused with sexuality. Her nipples are photographed, well, in a manner by which James portrays as dainty.
With her bangs and seductive face, Lindsay Ellington splashing around naked in the water is so playful it makes you want to join her. My favorite is of her standing in the water, with a slight shadow on her back which lets you know the sun is setting as she is being photographed. I sincerely believe that James is a master of natural lighting.
Jarah Mariano, the dark-haired Hawaiian, a real Islander, can be quite suggestive in her photographs. There's one of her hand in her mouth: this is precisely where the photography takes a slight turn and becomes more pornesque.
The most Goddess-like of all of these models, easily, is Erin Heatherton. Even her last name reminds me of a forest fairy. And there she is, with a head band made out of leaves and twigs, and you think "she must speak so softly." And James's photos of her do the same.
Finally there's Brooklyn Decker, her dreamy, waif-like frame, above and underneath the water. I really like how James displays her face to us. In one her eyes are open and fierce. In the following photo, her head is tilted back and her eyes are closed, which makes it seem as though she is reaching sexual arousal.
Russell James really surprised me with this book. He opens doors with close-ups of these models tattoos...something you would never see in a VS catalogue or display case. It's as though we get to know them in a way--James's photography says "this is it, the truth."
Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
The Models deserve most of the credit
I bought this to unabashadly admire Jarah Mariano and Miranda Kerr and in hopes that both would wear less than in the VS catalogs. Read more
Published on February 6, 2011 by Bart Connelly
5.0 out of 5 stars
Russell James is a Master
Russell James is one of those rarest of rare photographers...he excels in so many areas; fashion, art, documentary, action, and nudes. Read more
Published on January 21, 2011 by wes
4.0 out of 5 stars
V2 (tuNeues)
V2 by Russell James (tuNeues), is assembled from out-takes the photographer created whilst commissioned for a Victoria's Secret swimwear photo shoot on Richard Branson's famed... Read more
Published on November 24, 2010 by BlogOnBooks
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another coffee-table photo book!!
Compared to James' last book, the width of this is about one half. But the pictures binded on this are beautiful, so I now place it on my coffee table!!
Published on November 16, 2010 by Ho Ansue
5.0 out of 5 stars
An alluring collection
I first heard of Russell James watching America's Next Top Model as one of the guest judges, that's when I found out he is the photographer for Victoria's Secret and shot for a lot... Read more
Published on September 28, 2010 by Dorothy Morris
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