Washington, D.C. 1975

Larry Fink made this photograph, Washington, D.C., with gelatin silver. I find myself drawn to the dark tonality and the way the light catches that clenched fist. It's a study in contrasts, really. You've got the smooth fabric of the suit jacket right next to the aged skin of the hand. Look at how Fink uses shadow here, it's almost like he’s sculpting with darkness. The hand, with its tight tendons and sunspots, becomes the focal point. It speaks to me of quiet determination, but also maybe a bit of anxiety, or even repressed anger. It's a loaded gesture, isn't it? Fink's known for his social documentary work, capturing intimate moments in everyday life. This one, with its close-up and ambiguous context, reminds me a little of Diane Arbus. It's a potent image that invites us to project our own feelings and interpretations onto it, which is part of what makes art so endlessly fascinating, isn't it?