Category Archives: Gordon Parks
Half Past Autumn, the Life and Works of Gordon Parks.
Mr. Parks was a photographer, novelist, journalist, poet, musician and filmmaker. His works are chronicled in a documentary I watched Sunday on HBO. I have admired Mr. Parks works since I was in high school, but was unfamiliar with his musical talents. This wonderful documentary starts at his birth and goes through his entire life. Its a beautifully made piece, with plenty of Mr. Park’s photography, musical compositions and interviews with people,famous and non-famous, that impacted his life.
A great synopsis of his life is contained here on a website which mirrors the movie’s trip though his works. Bigotry and racism were part of Gordon Parks life and it has a place in his work and this documentary as well. His fashion photography was also a part of his life I was unaware of. Below are a few of his photo’s, the first is the well known American Gothic, shot in 1942.
Parks was a truly gifted and talented man of various mediums..who never finished high school at a time when African Americans in college were rare and almost non-existent. He went on to receive over 40 honorary college degrees. For a great taste of his various types of photography..check out this site hosted by Kodak.