Black Ladies

by Uwe Ommer, Calixthe Beyala

Parallel French, English, and German text

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.

Genres: Photography, Art, Africa, Ebooks, Erotica

180 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1995

About the author

Uwe Ommer is a German photographer.

Reviews

[Sérgio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fruto de um projecto fotográfico pessoal do fotógrafo alemão Uwe Ommer, profissionalmente sediado entre Paris e Nova Iorque para trabalhos de moda e publicidade, Black Ladies representa o seu lado mais intimista, menos conhecido, mas de qualidade superior. Apaixonado pela beleza despretensiosa e pela graça natural das mulheres africanas, Ommer parte em demanda pelas modelos mais espontâneas que consegue encontrar, através de várias viagens a África, e fotografa-as em todo o seu esplendor. O livro é acompanhado pela poesia da camaronesa Calixthe Beyala, que acrescenta um toque de elegância bastante subtil.

[Gerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uwe Ommer is a German photographer who delighted in capturing on camera the bodies of black ladies who he felt were the epitome of beauty and sensuality. And his breakthrough into the photography world came when he shot photos of stars of the international fashion scene such as Jourdan and Ungaro.

As he pays homage to the aesthetics of femininity, complete with fluttering palm trees as backdrops, one can see quite clearly why he won the German Prize for Young Photographers.

It is truly a beautiful book that lives up to the Taschen tradition.

[Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jawdropping. Gorgeous. The beauty of African women, photographed in picturesque local settings, shot mostly nude or seminude; incredible faces, generous and sensual expressions. I think this is one of the most beautiful books I've ever seen. Richness and variety in the color, the lighting, the settings and the poses, and in the shapes and contours and smiles of the subjects. My heart actually palpitated as I was looking at this. Words fail me, really.

[João Moura · Rating 3 out of 5]

What you see is what you get. O título diz tudo. Fotografias de black magic women, sem textos de explicação. Expressões, olhares, sorrisos, peitos, plantas, praias, cabanas, colares, brincos, naturalismo... Algumas fotos belíssimas, mas muitas vulgares e forçadas.

[Kasia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Honestly? I wasn't impressed at all. The photos were a bland. One or two stood out, but the rest was generic and not out there. Just because a few girls flash tits it's supposed to be esthetically pleasing? Well I guess that would work for some, but I want more.

[Niloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, this is very blatantly pornography, but at the same time it has glorious and masterful photography. My jaw dropped repeatedly both at the photography and quality of the pron.

[Lina · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is no doubt that the women depicted in this book are stunning. Not just physically beautiful, but with a great expressiveness.
There's also no doubt that the photographer is skilled and talented.
And also no doubt that he likes breasts.

Just... is this fetishization? Is it exploitative? Does it perpetuate bad stereotypes? I don't know! Maybe it's because there's no text, no background given, so I don't have much to go on. It feels like it could be very objectionable, but is it?
I have no idea. All I know is that these are amazing photos.

(Also a bit annoying-ish is that there's a certain type of black woman portrayed in this book. They're all slim, able-bodied and beautiful. If you're looking for a more diverse representation of black women, this might not be for you.)

[mahesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

the statement "Either an author or photographer do have really perception of beauty" is strongly supported through this book. In the world of beauty sickness where the standard of beauty is white, this book stands tall as contradictory against the illusion of beauty.
Most of the photos are taken nude or semi-nude, but these photos depict the acceptance and respect for who they are . Photographers used the natural habitat and their customs to add flavor to enhance what is already a perfect piece of work.
I wish we had world where people lose the idea of trying to be someone else rather than being who they really are.

[Selefa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really did not expect that.
There are these beautiful women, beautiful smiles, beautiful sparkling eyes and all went out of the window because the only context is nudity...
These are no ethnographic features through the cloths, everyday habits, and even nudity -if that is part of their culture- generally some context other than nudity...

[TERTULIANO XAVIER DE NETO · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poemas escritos com luz
​Retratos femininos deslumbrantes que equilibram sensualidade e arte com extrema elegância, passando longe de qualquer vulgaridade. A estética visual perfeitamente harmonizada com a escrita potente de Calixthe Beyala, renomada autora e ativista franco-camaronesa, cujas palavras conferem ainda mais alma e profundidade às imagens.😍

[Gonzalo Oyanedel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una bello homenaje fotográfico a la belleza africana de la mano de Uwe Ommer y la escritora camerunesa Calixthe Beyala.

[Riaz Ujjan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some fascinating photos showing stunning background.. while most showing nudity of black women..

[Vander Alves · Rating 3 out of 5]

No yada yada or fillers, just a straightforward artbook featuring beautiful subjects captured in sensuous and sweet images by a sensible photographer.

[Thiago Freitas · Rating 1 out of 5]

So much more to explore, and even one interesting posing reference

[rotting charm · Rating 2 out of 5]

i wish this had more vision than "im gonna photograph black ladies breasts". i mean, its interesting and lowkey more in deepth of identity and daily life but its not much either

[Jérôme · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful coffee table book!
Contains tasteful photographs of semi-nude black women, some of which are simply portraits. The beauty and sensuality of their bodies is stunning. Yet the facial expressions and the various emotions they convey is where the work shines. The poetry included in this volume is a fitting complement and shouldn't be neglected.

[Trifari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheer Beauty