Leonard Nimoy's Nudes

Most people know him as Dr Spock from Star Trek, but Leonard Nimoy has many strings to his bow, including photography.

Female nudes seem to be his preferred subject (of course, this is Hi-Nude after all) and many of his images can be seen at his web site. Whilst many of his subjects are what you might call 'typical' nude models, he's now approaching his work from a less traditional perspective.

His new exhibition, due to open this summer, is entitled Maximum Beauty, and is dedicated to photographs of women of a fuller figure.

Ashamed as I am to admit it, I do have a distinct preference for slim nudes. I have nothing against large women per se (my own mother has always been very large) but the larger the lady, the lesser my attraction to her.

But despite my own preferences, it is undeniably a breath of fresh air to see larger women as the subject of nude photography.

It's not the first time that Nimoy's nudes have caused a stir. Two years ago his book Shekhina caused some controversy with its mix of female nudes and religious iconography. His newest work is bound to draw some interesting reactions.

It features over-sized women from California burlesque club Fat Bottom Revue, described by Nimoy as "proud people". "The women are interested in fat liberation. Their self-esteem is strong. They will tell you that too many people suffer because the body they live in is not the body you find in the fashion magazines."

I've been reading some comments from women who have been impressed with his shots of over-sized models. Indeed I imagine his show may appeal to many more women than you would normally expect. I'll leave you with some choice comments.

"One of the ladies has a body shaped exactly like mine, same size and everything. And she looks fabulous! Thank god for people who can see beauty in what the rest of the world sees as imperfect."

"It never ceases to amaze me - the amazing amount of variation in the human form. All are beautiful, all are utterly normal. I love it!"

"Leonard Nimoy has often seen the beauty that others were too prejudiced or dense to recognize, and these inspiring images furnish yet another example."

Related Links
Nimoy's Fat Photographs - BigFatBlog.com article with feedback
Leonard Nimoy Photography - Official web site of Leoard Nimoy