Vernon Richards, the objector observer of the Weekend Photographer’s Notebook and A part-time Photographer’s Portrait Gallery, reveals in this volume a more romantic and affectionate side to his temperament. At first sight there may be some irony in the hard=headed political activist proudly admitting to the ‘politically incorrect’ admiration of women and their looks, but surely it is the same passion / compassion – desire for a fair and just society – that inspires the public and private lives of those with a vision of a more beautiful world. The women shown here are not, of course, just symbols. They are revealed as very real people, with distinct and interesting characters of their own and Richards has the ability to capture their inner as well as their outer beauty.