NEW YORK (AP) — Larry Fink, an acclaimed and adventurous photographer whose subjects ranged from family portraits and political satire to working class lives and the elite of show business and Manhattan society, has died at 82.

Robert Mann, owner of the Robert Mann Gallery, told The Associated Press that Fink died Nov. 25 at his home in Martins Creek, Pennsylvania. Mann did not cite a specific cause of death, but said that Fink had been in failing health.

“He was a dear friend and a real free spirit,” Mann said. “I’ve known people like Robert Frank and Ansel Adams and Larry stood out. He was an exceptional and unique individual, a very unconventional man, not only in his personality, but in his photography.”

A “self-described Marxist from Long Island,” Fink was best known for “Social Graces,” a 1979 exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in which black and white photos of wealthy New Yorkers were juxtaposed against shots of everyday life of families in Martins Creek, Fink’s longtime home. The series was published in book form in 1984.

He would go on to work for The New York, Times, Vanity Fair and other publications, photographing such celebrities as Meryl Streep, Natalie Portman and Kate Winslet. He would also spoof President George W. Bush and other political leaders, while remaining close to a Martin Creeks family, the Sabatines, who appeared often in his work. Fink had solo exhibitions at the Whitney Museum and the Philadelphia Museum of Art among other galleries, and he received numerous honors, including two John Simon Guggenheim Fellowships.

Fink, who first took up photography at 13 and later studied under photographer Lisette Model, had a professional life that reflected the diverse outlooks of his parents. He grew up in a politicized family that scorned the free market, while also enjoying stylish automobiles and high-end parties. In the early 1960s, Fink moved to Greenwich Village in New York City, with dreams that he was undertaking not just a career, but a revolution.

“Of course the revolution didn’t quite get there so I was left with a career,” he told Blind Magazine in 2021.

Fink’s survivors include his second wife, the artist Martha Posner, and a daughter, Molly, from his marriage to painter Joan Snyder.

Copyright 2023 BBC. All rights reserved.  The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.

Beta Terms By using the Beta Site, you agree that such use is at your own risk and you know that the Beta Site may include known or unknown bugs or errors, that we have no obligation to make this Beta Site available with or without charge for any period of time, nor to make it available at all, and that nothing in these Beta Terms or your use of the Beta Site creates any employment relationship between you and us. The Beta Site is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and we make no warranty to you of any kind, express or implied.

In case of conflict between these Beta Terms and the BBC Terms of Use these Beta Terms shall prevail.

There was a moment in my life when I had the choice between becoming a photographer or a librarian. I chose the latter and have never regretted it, but the lure of photography has never left me. In the old days (as I’m sure I’ve mentioned before) it wasn’t uncommon to find fictional picture books illustrated with photography. These days finding such books is a huge challenge. You’ll see that the books included on today’s list range from fairy tales to nonfiction to poetry. Take a gander (some of these have appeared on my 31 Days, 31 Lists before) and enjoy this ode to f-stops and apertures.

If you’d like a full PDF of today’s list you can find one here.

Curious about the previous years’ collections? Then take a gander!

2023 Fabulous Photography for Kids

At Home with the Prairie Dog: The Story of a Keystone Species by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent, photographs by William Muñoz

What’s a keystone species and why are prairie dogs so incredibly important to the prairielands? Take a trip down into their burrows and learn how these necessary animals keep at least 150 species healthy and thriving. This is great. I wasn’t in love with the font, but that’s the harshest thing I can say about the book. If you’re looking for a picture book that really defines what a “keystone species” is by showing rather than telling, this is the book you want to have in hand. Patent cleverly intertwines a prairie dog’s everyday existence with the lives of so many other critters and species in the prairielands. I also appreciated the photography at work here, and completely understand why they had to supplement Mr. Muñoz’s work with shots of other Getty images n’ such. Normally I won’t allow Getty image books on this list, but this title goes above and beyond the call of duty. All told, this takes something cute and makes it pertinent.

Crowned: Magical Folk and Fairy Tales from the Diaspora by Kahran and Regis Bethencourt

Twenty-seven reinterpreted folk and fairy tales, old and new, are paired with stunning visual photographic images celebrating the African and African-American diaspora. You may remember the Bethencourts from their visually stunning picture book The Me I Choose to Be by Natasha Tarpley in 2021. Same pair of photographers and same amazing images. In this particular book the Behencourts are reinterpreting folk and fairy tales, which I tend to enjoy. The photography is the real jaw-dropping star of the show, leaving the serviceable stories in the dust. Consider this a book for your eyeballs rather than your ears. Want to see more? You can view images from the book in this ABC News piece:

Dear Yesteryear by Kimberly Annece Henderson

When I was a teenager, I had a secret passion. It was a little odd, but I loved going to antique shops and looking through the old photographs they had on sale there. These were forgotten photos from the late 19th early 20th century, and often I would buy the ones that I thought were the most interesting and take them home. There, I’d make up stories about them and what their lives might have been. Photography has always been something that’s fascinated me. Little wonder that when I heard about Dear Yesteryear I was instantly intrigued. What I did as a kid as a hobby, historical curator and researcher Kimberly Annece Henderson does as a calling. In this book she takes historical photographs of Black people and their families from the 19th and early 20th century and weaves poetry around them. In her Note from the Author she says, “Trees have roots, and we each come from a long line of people who play a role in our unique life story.” When I interviewed Ms. Henderson about the book this year, she said, “this book acts as a figurative family photo album for Black Americans who might not have done their ancestry research yet, or if they’re like me, and they have hit roadblocks researching their ancestry due to American Slavery, these portraits represent this idea of collective Black ancestry in a sense. That’s what makes it feel special in my opinion.” Beautifully put and beautifully put together.

Destiny Finds Her Way: How a Rescued Baby Sloth Learned To Be Wild by Margarita Engle, photos by Sam Trull

The “Baby Animal Tales” series from National Geographic Kids relies, to a certain extent, on two things: The subject matter and the author. That there will be copious photographs? That’s a given. Of course, it helps each book a great deal if there’s a bit of a story to go along with the cute critters (and up until this moment each one really has been conventionally adorable). Here, Margarita Engle was not present when Destiny’s story was been lived out, but she’s gotten all her information from the people who knew her, as well as this plethora of great photos by Sam Trull. The end result is that you’ve the story of a twin baby sloth who was found at the base of a tree alone, and taken in by an animal rescue center in Costa Rica. The photos are a great lure, but I was particularly impressed by how Engle kept the words concise and limited, to a certain extent. There aren’t big blocks of overwhelming text here. Instead, the font is actually relatively large and the storyline beautifully rendered. As exciting as fiction, but more so because you know that it’s real. Come for the writing. Stay for the photos of little Destiny hugging other rescued sloths because she likes hugging so much.  

Every Body: A Celebration of Diverse Abilities by Shelley Rotner

If you’re an aficionado of photography in children’s literature, it can be a lonely lot. There are really only a handful of established photographers to pick and choose between. Fortunately, Ms. Rotner is one of the few. She staked her claim in the world of nonfiction as our preeminent photographer/author years ago, and it’s paid off. Her subjects tend to be actual kids, more often than not, and this book is precisely what it sounds like. Jennifer Browne, the book designer, should probably get equal billing in terms of how the images here are laid out. You’ve full page spreads, pages where there might be eight portraits all at once, and places in between the two. Because a book like this doesn’t systematically explain that one child might have Down’s syndrome or another is deaf, parents and teachers will need to be there to explain elements of the book to kids. It doesn’t pander nor does it make it seem like everything is equally easy for everyone. But with its representation, bright colors, and clear text, it’s a nice one. A posthumous note from Judith Heumann herself (who died earlier this year) as well as other disability rights advocates complements the printed rights recognized by The United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and Glossary. Previously Seen On: The Message List

How to Bird by Rasha Hamid

“Are you a birder?” Good news. Anyone can bird! Let this joyful little book be your guide with vibrant photographs and a heaping helping of enthusiasm! Folks, I just seem to keep finding great books. This latest is no exception. Here we have a book that makes it clear that any kid, anywhere (but particularly if you’re in the city) can be a birder. The birds that they show are indeed of the city (though I might take issue with the fact that they call the sparrows in the book “house sparrows” which are an entirely different breed). The photographs are a ton of fun, a mix of photos takes by Ms. Hamid and some other folks and iStock photos. But really I just love the energy of this book. If any book is going to make you want to run out the door to spot a birdie, this is the one. Previously Seen On: The Simple Picture Books list.

In Between by April Pulley Sayre, with Jeff Sayre

Have you ever felt stuck in between something before? Lush, lovely photography perfectly encapsulates both the comfort and frustration of finding yourself in the middle when you’re young. It’s a visual encapsulation of how everyone and everything is perpetually in a state of flux. April Pulley Sayre really was a master of photography in her time. The photography on these pages is without parallel. Kudos, then, to Jeff Sayre for using her photos to co-create this story about being between ages and places and times. Not only does this book show off April’s adept handling of different kinds of creatures, but it’s a marvelous show of how she could get so close to the tiny and also back up far enough to show landscapes and places. I’m so sorry we won’t be seeing more of April’s books in the future, but I’m so happy we at least have this one now.

My Hair Is Like the Sun by St. Clair Detrick-Jules, ill. Tabitha Brown

I ask you, one and all, to take a good, long, hard look at this cover. This, my friends, is my perpetual frustration. This cover is not overly complicated and yet it is, in essence, incredibly well made. It’s beautiful, the colors are fantastic, and look at how well the photo itself was exposed in terms of contrast! How is it that we don’t have reams and reams of board books that look like this one? In lieu of that fact, we must be content with what we have, and what we have is a thoroughly charming creation. It’s a celebration of Black hair that compares a variety of styles to natural forces. So St. Clair Detrick-Jules not only wrote the text but took these photos as well and I want to honor the skill that went into this collection. This isn’t some haphazard smattering of children. It’s thought out, skillful, and a beautiful range of hair and skin tones. I’ve seen a lot of children’s books celebrating Black hair, but few board books, and what few I’ve seen tend to be illustrated. There’s something so enormously satisfying about seeing real hair on the page. A magnificent book, I don’t really understand why more publishers haven’t jumped on this bandwagon yet. In any case, this is one of my top board books of the year. Don’t miss out on it! Simply fantastic. Previously Seen On: The Board Book List

Nature Is a Sculptor: Weathering and Erosion by Heather Ferranti Kinser

Take a trip to national parks and landmarks to learn about all the different ways that nature designs some of the most beautiful landscapes. My sole objection to this book is that every time I see this title I start singing “Rhythm is a Dancer” for some reason. Not the book’s fault, I suppose. I’m a sucker for gorgeous photography and how can you possibly resist the shots they’ve included here? More to the point, Kinser has taken this mass of information about weathering and erosion and organized it into a comprehensible and understandable format. The rhymes are also accomplished (which is always a relief). “The ocean is a hammer / pounding shorelines into bits. / Ice – a chilly chisel – finds a crack, / expands, and splits.” Very cool. Previously Seen On: The Rhyming Picture Books List

Hope you enjoyed these! Here are the lists you can expect for the rest of this month:

December 1 – Great Board Books

December 2 – Picture Book Readaloud

December 3 – Simple Picture Book Texts

December 4 – Transcendent Holiday Picture Books

December 5 – Rhyming Picture Books

December 6 – Funny Picture Books

December 7 – CaldeNotts

December 8 – Picture Book Reprints

December 9 – Math Books for Kids

December 10 – Gross Books

December 11 – Books with a Message

December 12 – Fabulous Photography

December 13 – Translated Picture Books

December 14 – Fairy Tales / Folktales / Religious Tales

December 15 – Wordless Picture Books

December 16 – Poetry Books

December 17 – Unconventional Children’s Books

December 18 – Easy Books & Early Chapter Books

December 19 – Comics & Graphic Novels

December 20 – Older Funny Books

December 21 – Science Fiction Books

December 22 – Fantasy Books

December 23 – Informational Fiction

December 24 – American History

December 25 – Science & Nature Books

December 26 – Unique Biographies

December 27 – Nonfiction Picture Books

December 28 – Nonfiction Books for Older Readers

December 29 – Best Audiobooks for Kids

December 30 – Middle Grade Novels

December 31 – Picture Books

Filed under: 31 Days 31 Lists, Best Books, Best Books of 2023

The Texas Photographic Society recently announced that Odessa College photography instructor Gwen Davies won the First Place Award for her entry, “Stitched Memories,” in its 2023 By Hand: Alternative Processes Competition.

The exhibit, consisting of 50 images, opened at the Center for Contemporary Arts in Abilene Dec. 7, 2023, and will run through Feb. 3, 2024.

“It is very special to win this award,” Davies said in a news release. “While I have won awards and recognition in the past, never first place. So, to win it for a project I have put so much time and work into is amazing.”

For the competition, which was open to artists of all levels internationally, “676 images were submitted by 121 artists, which meant the selection process was extremely competitive — around a 7 percent chance of being selected for exhibition,” said Juror Christine Z. Anderson, acclaimed artist, educator writer and editor.

When asked what was her inspiration to create the piece, the OC instructor said, “‘Stitched Memories’ is a contemplation on how our environment, physical, social, political, health, etc. impacts our understanding of our identity. This project grew out of a large project reflecting on how the COVID-19 pandemic was impacting us. Quilting is a memory keeping device, often created to celebrate or commemorate significant life events and these squares are a reflection of that. Each square is made from 1-inch strips cut from one-of-a-kind Lumen prints. They are then pieced and stitched together in the Log Cabin Quilt Pattern. Half of each square is fixed and half is unfixed, meaning it will continue to change over time.”

“Stitched Memories” is a piece in transition which has taken years to create and is not finished, according to the artist. The images used in the squares were created in 2020 and 2021, and she began stitching them in the spring or summer of 2022. Each square takes about 14 hours of labor from piecing to sewing. Currently she has roughly 35 squares completed, of which 25 will be on display at the exhibit in Abilene. She added that she is constantly making additional squares, and she curates a display of squares based on the requirements for each time it is displayed.

Related