William Miller and Family, Twentieth-Anniversary Party, Martins Creek, Pennsylvania 1978

Larry Fink captured this image of William Miller and Family at their Twentieth-Anniversary Party in Martins Creek, Pennsylvania. The silvery tones of the gelatin print invite us into a domestic tableau. I can imagine Larry Fink moving through the party, trying to get the perfect shot, as this image teeters between staged and candid. What's so compelling about photography is the ability to freeze a moment in time. The couple peers out from behind the flower box like they are on display, or hiding? Meanwhile, the woman in the floral blouse and patterned chair seems to be in on the joke, sharing a smile with the viewer. Photography can be a form of social commentary, and Fink doesn't shy away from capturing the nuances of human interaction and the poignancy of everyday life. Like many photographers, Fink uses the camera to explore themes of class, intimacy, and social ritual. Much like painters, photographers can find a way to communicate feeling, intention, or meaning through their work. Both are artists.