Hungarian Debutante Ball, New York City 1978

Larry Fink made this photograph at a Hungarian Debutante Ball in New York City. Fink’s photographs have a beautiful, velvety quality, a deep range of blacks and greys that feels both intimate and a little confrontational. What I notice here is the way the light falls. It’s grainy, contrast-y, and not afraid to be messy, which is like a painting approach in itself. The composition feels like a snapshot, but it’s carefully staged, with the men grouped together in a way that feels both natural and a bit theatrical. Look at the main figure in the foreground, in his military uniform – the buttons create a really interesting rhythm. And then there’s the guy behind him, getting his bow tie adjusted. It’s about class, but it’s also about something more universal. I think of Diane Arbus, who also had a knack for capturing these kinds of awkward, intimate moments. Both artists show that art is about capturing the strange, beautiful messiness of being human. It’s not always pretty, but it’s always interesting.