Russian Ball, New York City 1977

This gelatin silver print was made by Larry Fink, who was drawn to the visual possibilities afforded by black-and-white photography. The glossy, grainy surface of the print throws the image's content into sharp relief. It shows a couple at a formal event, likely a charity gala. The trappings of wealth are evident. Flowers, shimmering glassware, and black tie attire. The photograph’s materiality contributes to its impact through the specific techniques used in the darkroom to manipulate contrast and tonality, which required a high degree of mastery and control. These processes underscore the image’s themes of social contrast and economic inequality, highlighting the gap between the affluent subjects and the labor required to maintain their lifestyle. Ultimately, Fink’s gelatin silver print invites us to consider the ways in which material choices and making processes can be used to reveal uncomfortable truths, and bridge the gap between the world of fine art and the realities of everyday life.