Reduce/Increase, 1979
William Wegman
Gelatin silver print
This photograph, from a series titled Improved Photographs, depicts artist William Wegman dressed as a woman. Handwritten texts on the print's surface are meant to emulate a magazine editor's comments to "improve" a model's body. With characteristic wit and humor, Wegman exposes the deceptive nature of editorial and fashion photography, while also poking fun at idealized gender norms for physical appearance.