Lt. "Wild Bill" William Walker, former college athlete, in the cockpit of a P39, Selfridge Field, Michigan ("All clear—Contact.") 1943

Gordon Parks made this photograph, Lt. "Wild Bill" William Walker, former college athlete, in the cockpit of a P39, at Selfridge Field in Michigan. The monochrome creates a mood – and it’s very textural. Look how the light catches on the pilot’s leather helmet and the edges of the cockpit. The photograph feels immediate, almost as if Parks quickly captured a moment that would otherwise be lost. The composition draws our eye to the pilot, his easy expression and confident gaze. The words ‘crew chief’ are painted in bold, blocky letters, suggesting the hands-on, material nature of the war effort. It reminds me of Walker Evans’ photographs made for the Farm Security Administration. But Parks’ image isn’t just documentary; it also captures something of the human spirit – a sense of determination, aspiration, and a distinctly American optimism. There’s something in his eye, in Wild Bill’s eye, that says it all.