French Soldiers under Attack after 1951

Gordon Parks made this gelatin silver print, 'French Soldiers under Attack,' and what strikes you is its immediate sense of chaos. Parks isn't aiming for clarity, he's diving into the thick of it. Look at the grainy texture, it’s almost like you can feel the grit and smoke. The contrast is high, blacks are deep and the whites sear your eyes, heightening the drama. The soldier leaping off the truck – a blurred figure caught mid-air – embodies the uncertainty of war. It's a single moment stretched out, full of risk, like he might not land on his feet. This work shares a kinship with photographers like Robert Capa, who also threw themselves into the heart of conflict. But Parks brings his own sharp focus to the human story. Art isn't about finding easy answers; it's about wrestling with the questions.