Graduation, Bangor High School Jun-77

Curator: Larry Fink's photograph, "Graduation, Bangor High School," captures a moment of pure, unadulterated joy. What strikes you first about it? Editor: The tonal range, really. It's a study in grey, and the way the light falls across the subjects creates such a strong focal point on the graduate in the center. Curator: The embrace radiates outward. Graduation ceremonies, particularly in the US, are powerful rites of passage, aren't they? Note the American flag. Editor: Yes, the flag, slightly out of focus, anchors the scene. The composition places the graduate's emotion in contrast to the blurred background, emphasizing her individual experience. Curator: Fink is excellent at capturing the emotional weight of social rituals. You feel that sense of collective achievement and personal triumph all at once. Editor: Absolutely. The formal elements work together to amplify that shared experience. Curator: It is an arresting image, even in its simplicity. Editor: Agreed, a potent mix of form and feeling.