The Full Body Project

Star Trek’s favorite Vulcan, Leonard Nimoy, has released another picture book. This long-time photographer has been photographing the nude form for decades. It was only over the last few years he incorporated the plus size form into his portfolio. Nimoy’s new book, The Full Body Project, features the women from Big Burlesque and Fat-Bottom Revue, a plus size performance troupe.

In its 196 pages, it contains fifty black and white photographs, mostly nudes. The women come across as vibrant, energetic and most importantly comfortable in their own skin. These are not glamor shots. You won’t find any body makeup, duct tape or photo-shopping here. The pictures are real and raw, but definitely not distasteful.

The black and white images have strong shadows that highlight curves, lumps, bumps, stretch marks, and facial features. In the forward, Natalie Angier likens the model’s shapes to the Venus of Willendorf figurines we are so familiar with. Nimoy was inspired by several other artists while taking images for this collection including Herb Ritts, Helmut Newton, Henri Matisse, Marcel Duchamp and Raphael.

Could these women pose for better, more flattering pictures of themselves? Sure. But then the point would be lost. These are real women, they are beautiful, they are proud and they are happy in their skins. Here’s hoping you’re comfortable enough in your own skin to view these with an open and accepting mind.

Learn more about The Full Body Project on my extended page (moved over from Hubpages.

Or get your own copy from Amazon.ca or Amazon.com.