Flavio Feeding Zacarias 1961

Gordon Parks captured this black and white photograph titled, "Flavio Feeding Zacarias" sometime during his lifetime. What strikes me is how Parks turns a simple moment into something monumental through his mastery of light and shadow. It's like he's painting with light, carving out the figures from the darkness. The texture in this image is palpable, you can almost feel the grit and grime on their skin. Look at the older child’s hand over the younger one’s mouth. There’s so much tenderness in that gesture, but also a sense of desperation, of trying to make the best of a terrible situation. The tonal range is beautiful, from the deep blacks of the background to the soft greys of their faces, creating a sense of depth and volume. Parks was a master storyteller, using his camera to shed light on the lives of those often overlooked. Think of other photographers like Dorothea Lange, who also captured the human spirit in the face of adversity. Ultimately, this image reminds us of the power of art to bear witness, to provoke empathy, and to inspire change.