Lauren Greenfield

Lauren Greenfield

The introduction video on Greenfield's website certainly is though provoking. It is is to see what Lauren is depicting in her work. Greenfield's photographs attack the American idea of beauty, money, and culture. Images of extremely thin women and post-cosmetic surgery individuals show Greenfield's critique of the concept of beauty in the modern world. Greenfield also show images of teenagers who are growing up in this consumer culture and how money has truly become a major problem for those growing up in this era.

Andy Reynolds

Andy Reynolds' Website

This photographer makes good on the diptych. Many of the images found in Book One create a bizarre match up for images. Although I cannot place one distinct theme that runs throughout the piece, there are hints of social critique on American culture and consumerism. One of the most bizarre diptychs is that of two squirrels mating on a copier and the man standing in the corner of an elevator while the woman looks directly forward. I can only think that Andy Reynolds is creating a contradiction between these photographs. While the squirrels are free to mate in the setting of an office, men must subdue their instincts and avoid unnecessary contact. Reynolds' use of the diptych in this book showed me a new level of use for this format.