John Sabatine, Martins Creek, Pennsylvania 1979

This is Larry Fink’s photo of John Sabatine, Martins Creek, Pennsylvania, made with gelatin silver. You know, the process itself is a big part of what makes a photograph sing. Look at the way Fink plays with light and shadow here, it’s all about process. The textures! You can almost feel the rough, weathered wood of that thing in the truck bed. Is it a boat skeleton? The black and white adds a layer of emotional depth, a kind of nostalgic feel, like an old memory surfacing. Notice the details in John’s face, the lines and the way his eyes are focused, it tells a story. It reminds me a bit of Walker Evans’ portraits. There’s a similar respect for the subject. It’s like Fink is saying, ‘Here is a person, here is a place, take a good look.’ And we do.