Petals

I'm always interested in books that offer a good representation of the true and normal variety found in women's bodies, their sexuality, etc. to use with my clients. Just as grocery stores only carry 2 or 3 different varieties of apples now days (and there are actually hundreds of different types), the media and culture have a narrow view of how a woman's body should look (and function). This representation that lack variety creates an artificial idea of 'normal', making many women think there is something wrong with them if they don't fit the supposed 'normal' they see.I was very disappointed to see that the significant majority of women's vulva's featured in this book are shaved and with minimal variance in shape and look (the images almost seem selected for similarity). Shaving is a cultural trend - not a norm - and thus, not a good representation of 'normal' for a woman's body. Showing primarily one 'look' for vulva's can give a woman or teen the idea that they are not 'normal' if they don't look like the cookie cutter versions of vulva's that are represented. Most often now days images in adult video's and other sources idealize the bare, pre-pubescent look, (which is with the labia minora and clitoris tucked in or barely visible between the hairless labia majora, and all quite small) this can make the majority of women think they aren't normal, as obviously a woman's sexual organs rarely look the same as a pre-pubescent girl's.For teaching, education, or your own knowledge of what is 'normal', much better choices to use that offer more realistic representations of vulvas are:  The Yoni: Sacred Symbol of Female Creative Power  - this book in general is a positive, woman honoring elucidation of the female form and includes art, sculpture and natural formations that represent or resemble a woman's vulva as well. I really like this book for it's 'pro' woman, reverential perspective. However, for a book that is great for teaching and solely features realistic, color photographs of vulva's  Femalia  is the best choice. Personally, I think anyone working with women and teens should have them both.Summary: Not recommended for teaching or learning about the normal variances of women's vulva's. Instead, buy 'The Yoni' and/or 'Femalia' (links above...)

Nick Karras's lovely photos capture that most delicate and unique of a woman's features, her outer genitals. Over forty examples appear here, printed in a warm, almost romantic monochrome. Because of the intimate nature of these photos and because of each viewer's personal associations, responses to these photos are sure to be highly varied and individual.One response simply takes these organic forms as visual abstractions. Viewed that way, simplicity of the basic structure and complexity of the variations create a rich balance that human artists rarely achieve. Another viewer might see these anatomical photos, isolating just of her body's features, as depersonalizing. Paradoxically, one could also see these as deeply personal. Outside of doctors, most people encounter a vulva (other than one's own) only in deeply intimate settings. It seems quite proper that a woman might reserve the most distinctive parts of her physical self for those who already appreciate her uniqueness most. A book like this helps the viewer realize just how wide the range of possible appearances can be, and so emphasizes the individuality of each one.This book goes well beyond  Femalia  in some ways. Both books document a range of individual looks, and help to educate men and women in how many different kinds of appearance are all "normal." Karras does more, though. It's slip-case, warm and airy appearance, and rich look and feel all convey respect and importance. That sense of respect, possibly bordering on worship, suits these photos perfectly, and the models' anonymity extends that respect to women everywhere.-- wiredweird

Karris’ work is striking, and naturally beautiful. By providing anonymity to his models, at least in the book, he has surely put them more at ease and enabled them to share a beautiful part of their body that GOD gave them and of which they should not be ashamed.His work is focused, artistically presented, and not the least bit “dirty” or “pornographic”. I will share this book with my daughters as they mature, if only to assure them that each one of us is unique, each one of us is special, each one of us is magnificent in his or her own way. Being male, I’m not the biggest fan of looking at different penises, but I believe that a similar work of the male anatomy would be just as poetic, just as liberating for the men involved. Pornography has given women a false view of sexuality...it’s the same for men. Not all of us have 12” penises...very few in fact, and we need to embrace that fact and know that God made vulvas individual and unique, and he did the same for penises.

Petals is a slipcase book, showing about 90 women. Unlike Femalia  Joani Blank: Femalia (Paperback); 2011 Edition  all photographs are in sepia, and in the back of the book, he explains why he felt that was the best approach. There is a consistency to the photographs to allow one to appreciate the variation and beauty that each woman possesses in her vulva. This is an educational book that provides a great service, especially for women.

This is pretty much a rehash of the video that advertises this book, including long descriptions of how and why it came about. The number of pictures are actually a very small portion of the overall book and it is two to a page. I would have expected a book that talks about artwork of this sort to display the works stand alone one to a page to help prevent a side by side comparison. But still it is impressive to behold