Russian Ball, New York City 1977

Larry Fink made "Russian Ball, New York City," using gelatin silver print. It's a fairly traditional approach to photography, but the image itself isn't about the high life. It's about what's left after a party. The choice of black and white emphasizes stark contrasts and textures: the smoothness of glass against the wrinkled tablecloth, the wilted flowers, the shadows stretching across the scene. Fink’s close attention to these details imbues the photograph with social significance, hinting at wealth and privilege but also transience and decay. The way light falls across the table and the arrangement of objects suggests a narrative, yet it’s open-ended, allowing viewers to construct their own interpretations. The gelatin silver print process is itself labor-intensive, requiring careful handling and development. Fink's decision to use this medium adds another layer of meaning, grounding the image in a history of photographic craftsmanship. Ultimately, Fink’s photograph challenges us to look beyond the surface and consider the social and economic forces that shape our world.