Deer Slaying, Martins Creek, Pennsylvania 1978

Larry Fink made this photograph, Deer Slaying, Martins Creek, Pennsylvania, with black and white film. It's stark. A deer lies dead in what looks like the back of a pick up truck, a hunter in the background. I feel like Fink is making a statement. His approach to photography is often very human, intimate, and he's drawn to the gritty aspects of life. His images make me think about the relationship between humans and nature, and about mortality. What might he have been thinking when he chose this particular framing? The stark contrast emphasizes the lifelessness of the animal, but also captures the reality of hunting. It’s not romanticized. It’s raw. It’s real. I imagine that the image resonates differently with each viewer, and I appreciate how Fink is willing to explore a loaded subject with such directness. Ultimately, all artists engage in an ongoing conversation, building on what’s come before, and sparking new ideas for those who follow.