Salem, Oregon, 1976
Mary Ellen Mark’s series Ward 81 shows the lives of several women living in an institution in Oregon. I really enjoyed this particular photo because of the way it was shot using the reflection in the mirror, as well as the facial expression on the woman’s face. She appears to be happy with the way she looks and excited to be dressed up. I think that Mary Ellen Mark did an excellent job of displaying humanity in a subject that is often swept under the rug.