Annie Leibovitz's Vanity Fair cover of Tom Ford, Scarlett Johansson and Keira Knightley might have caused a stir, but one should understand Ford's famous for being manipulative of human bodies (see also Fake but she does it well), and he often poses superior beside (nude) beauties, female or male. Along with all other great cover shots the image only proves again the photographer's appropriate depiction of her subjects.

If that's not enough a (feminist) defence for Leibovitz, her own project and book, Women, should speak better for her attitude towards female subjects.

Initiated and realised by Susan Sontag and Leibovitz, the photographic documents include "a broad spectrum of subjects: a rap artist, an astronaut, two Supreme Court justices, farmers, coal miners, movie stars, showgirls, rodeo riders, socialites, reporters, dancers, a maid, a general, a surgeon, the First Lady of the United States, the secretary of state, a senator, rock stars, prostitutes, teachers, singers, athletes, poets, writers, painters, musicians, theater directors, political activists, performance artists, and business women". Each from all fields is well and equally represented as a woman, a person for her contribution and simple fact of being. We don't see seducing poses but sincere expressions. We see aging and scars, something that may be forbidden on the female body. We see strong physique and facial hair and women with guns and women in mud. We see women with career. We see women in heroic posture. We're not afraid to see ordinary women. We're not afraid to see women of great beauty. We see women. They can be heterosexual or homosexual. They can be transgendered. They can be of different religions or social groups. They have their lives and relationships. Regardless of occupation, social status or appearance, a brief biography is contributed to every single one of them. The whole book is a record of respect.

This website has Sontag's introductory essay, interview with Leibovitz and some images from the book. Please read.