Jean Sabatine, Christmas, Martins Creek, Pennsylvania Possibly 1983 - 1985

Larry Fink made this photograph, Jean Sabatine, Christmas, Martins Creek, Pennsylvania, at an unknown date. You know, it's funny how black and white can sometimes feel like the realest thing. Look at the way the light catches on Jean’s face, highlighting every line and curve, while the dense, patterned wallpaper threatens to swallow her whole. The surface is incredibly rich, and grainy – it’s a visceral texture that reminds me of old movies and forgotten family albums. It's not just a picture, it's a record of a moment, of a life lived. See how the black of her dress spills out into the black of the sofa next to her, making the subject almost blend into her surroundings. This is the moment where it becomes clear to me that photography is also about the embrace of ambiguity. You never really know the whole story, do you? Think of Diane Arbus and her portraits of everyday people, finding the extraordinary in the ordinary, but with a touch of humor.