Quote That: ‘Many a man fail as an original thinker simply because his memory is too good.’ -Nietzsche #blackhistorymonth

Gordon Parks

Gordon Roger Alexander Buchanan Parks (November 30, 1912 – March 7, 2006) was a groundbreaking American photographer, musician, poet, novelist, journalist, activist and film director. He is best remembered for his photo essays for Life magazine and as the director of the 1971 film Shaft.

At the age of 25, Parks was struck by photographs of migrant workers in a magazine and bought his first camera, a Voigtländer Brilliant, for $12.50 at a pawnshop. The photo clerks who developed Parks’ first roll of film, applauded his work and prompted him to get a fashion assignment at Frank Murphy’s women’s clothing store in St. Paul.

Parks began working as a self-taught freelance photographer, focusing on everything from fashion to the effects the depression in Chicago’s slums.

Parks was a close friend of Muhammad Ali, and godfather for Malcolm X’s daughter Quibilah Shabazz. He was a co-founder of Essence magazine, and wrote a ballet called Martin, in honor of King.

His art was about social issues such as poverty, race, segregation and crime. It also enhanced our understanding of beauty, nature, childhood, music, fashion and memory.

By 1944, he was the only black photographer working for Vogue, and in 1948 he became the first black photographer at Life, the most prestigious magazine of its day for photography. Eventually Life sent him to France, Italy, and Spain, and stateside he became known for his photos documenting the civil rights movement.

February 13, 2011 | Categories: Photography for YOSEXI, www.yosexi.com, YOSEXI Creativity, YOSEXI N2 Fashion, YOSEXI Quote This | Tags: Arts, christianity, Film, Film Director, Frank Murphy, Friedrich Nietzsche, God, Gordon Parks, Hollywood, Learning Tree, Morality, New York City, Photographer, photography, Shaft, Twitter, United States | Leave A Comment »