Russian Orthodox Fund, New York City 1975

Larry Fink made this photograph, "Russian Orthodox Fund, New York City," with gelatin silver. I’m thinking about how Larry Fink is like a fly on the wall. It’s like he's at a wedding reception or fundraiser. He shows us the humanity and energy of social events. He shows what it's like to be in the crowd, a bit tipsy maybe, and what that feels like. The high contrast between the woman and the man is intriguing. Is this a romantic encounter or a business meeting? The high-key lighting on the woman and the way she smiles at the camera make me think she is the main focus. But the man in the back seems to be giving a very specific stare. It's hard to pinpoint! The artist is working at capturing the drama and mood of the event. There is an exchange going on.