Boys Fishing, Shady Grove, Alabama after 1956

Gordon Parks made this photograph of two boys fishing in Shady Grove, Alabama, and it’s like the quietest moment. Parks is known for his documentary work, often very sharp and filled with contrasts, so this feels different. I can imagine Parks carefully composing the shot, the way the light filters through the trees and hits the water, it feels very considered, soft, like a memory. The boys in their overalls are poised, fishing poles in hand, they seem so comfortable in the landscape. It’s like they’re part of the nature around them. Parks captured not just an image, but a feeling. The water in this picture seems to be very still. Everything feels gentle, calm, and sort of holds its breath. Parks’ photograph reminds us of the importance of these quiet moments, and how photography can capture not just what things look like, but also how they feel. It shows how moments of stillness and reflection are actually moments of great creativity. It's a beautiful photograph.