Julie, Martins Creek, Pennsylvania Possibly 1981

Larry Fink made this photograph, Julie, Martins Creek, Pennsylvania, using photography. The way Larry Fink handles light in this image feels so loaded. One side of Julie's face is lit up, but the rest of her is cast in shadow. I can only imagine what Fink was thinking when he took this photo; it seems full of tenderness, but also sadness. It reminds me of when my mom would stand in the doorway like this, looking out onto the world. Fink often photographs people in their homes or at parties. His images aren't always flattering, but they feel real. He is very interested in people's lives, so he gets up close and personal. It feels like he's not just taking pictures, but also trying to understand something about what it means to be human. And in a sense, that's what every artist tries to do, to show us something new about ourselves and the world around us.