Shopper, Paris 1950

Gordon Parks made this photograph, Shopper, Paris, with gelatin silver. What strikes me first is the woman's gaze. It's so direct, almost confrontational, yet softened by a hint of a smile. Parks captures a moment of connection, a shared glance across the space between photographer and subject, and also between us. The texture of the photograph is rich, from the rough wool of her coat to the fine lines etched on her face. Look at the way the light catches her glasses, creating these small, bright circles that draw your eye. It's like she's peering into your soul, or maybe she's just sizing you up as another shopper. Parks, like many photographers, often reminds me of painters like Lucian Freud, who also had an unflinching eye for the human condition. Ultimately, this image is a reminder that art is an ongoing conversation, a way of seeing and being seen, that transcends time and place.