Ryan McGinley

Ryan McGinley is an American photographer who lives and works in New York. McGinley is a rising photographer, and is quite young. I especially enjoy seeing the progression of his projects. In the beginning, it seemed that his series of works were documentaries- photographing his friends in various settings. Over time, themes like youth, freedom, and "the joy of losing yourself" have emerged in his work. He has also honed in on subject matter- in creating timeless, universal photographs that sometimes function as documentaries with a cinematic, fantastical feel. Through observing his photographs, I am reminded of the Biblical story of Adam and Eve. While McGinley's does not focus on Christianity or religion, I feel that his subject matter of freedom, using the naked body, the ability to be natural, and a mystical setting links strongly to the story of Genesis in the Bible, where the Garden of Eden represented freedom, fruitfulness, and life.

-April Moorhouse