Gallery Opening, New York City 1974

Larry Fink made this photograph, Gallery Opening, New York City, using a camera of course, and light, and a darkroom. It’s kind of a classic setup, using black and white, with a good range of tones in the gray scale. The picture is all about contrasts, the highlights on the woman’s face and blouse versus the deep shadows that surround her. She’s holding a drink, and the liquid in the glass is nearly the same tone as the wall behind her. The surface is smooth, with a slight sheen, giving it a timeless quality. You can’t really tell when it was made, which is part of the beauty of gelatin silver prints like this. There is something very Diane Arbus about this photograph. Both artists have a knack for capturing the unexpected in everyday scenes, making us see the world in a new light. Fink's work invites us to find beauty in the mundane, challenging our perceptions and reminding us that art is everywhere, if we only take the time to look.