Gordon Parks

by Paul Roth (Introduction)

A new title in the accessible and affordable Photofile series Gordon Parks (1912–2006) was a pioneering figure in 20th-century photography. The first African-American photographer to join the Farm Security Administration (FSA) and to become a staff photographer for Life magazine, he was also a writer, film director, and composer. While best known for documenting issues such as poverty, race relations, and civil rights, Parks was remarkably versatile, turning his gift for visual narrative to subjects as diverse as news reporting, fashion, art, and sports. He also captured prominent figures of his era, such as Malcolm X and Marilyn Monroe, in a series of memorable portraits. Working in the US and around the world, he was driven by a commitment to social "The common search for a better world is deeper than color or blood." 92 images in color and duotone

Genres: Photography, Biography

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Scott]

A wonderful book documenting one of my favourite (but often under-discussed) photographers. Highlighting the incredible talent of Parks to jump from documentary to fashion to abstract with ease.

The selection of Parks' images in this book are delightful. Each shows his broad talent from documenting powerful photo essays to capturing the subtle intimacy of his subjects. A true master.

[Otillaf]

Un gran libro con una fantastica introduzione all’opera di Parks

[Michelle]

"I needed a weapon against evil...
You have chosen a gun. I have chosen a camera.
I think my weapon is stronger."

[Nick Guimaraes]

The ultimate Renaissance man

[Lorraine]

Gordon Parks created art expansive in communicating ideas and reality. This book is the condensed companion to all he explored through the art form of photography. He captured 1940 and 1950 America in intense black and white photos. The book shows the tenacity, ingenuity, and grit of Parks and the photographed. This is a small art book that makes a big impression.

[Paul]

Parks is an under-discussed photographer, one of the true greats. His work has a keen sense of composition and irony, and it is fuelled by a humanistic worldview. This books begins with Parks' portraits of Ella Watson and her family, and covers the breadth of his career: his fashion work, his images for Life, his depictions of life in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro and gang crime on the streets of Harlem, his celebrity portraits and his fashion photographs.

The introductory essay by Roth is superb in identifying the traita of Parks' work and sets the images in context wonderfully. It's a great piece of writing on Parks' photography.

In sum, I'm very pleased with this book: it contains an excellent range of images, and an excellent analysis of the work of an under-discussed photographer.