Gordon Parks’ Color Photography


Gordon Parks colored entranceJust wanted to share this photograph by the legendary Gordon Parks. Personally, I’ve never seen his work in color – so this is a real treat for me.

Although the mostly grey and white photo almost feels like his black & white photography. I love how the red of the neon “Colored Entrance” sign is echoed by the red dress in the far distance and the red of the telephone booth across the street on the right. The composition is genius with the two figures (mother and daughter?) in the middle and the neon sign just above their heads – an eerie glimpse into the banality of segregation.

This photo makes me wonder: What the woman is looking at across the street? Is she waiting for her husband, a friend? What did it feel like to have to use the “colored entrance” only?

PHOTO: Courtesy of Gordon Parks’ Facebook page

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  1. 4
    Danielle

    I was lucky enought to see some of his color prints at a retrospective of his work at Stanford University last year. Really powerful stuff, they had a very painterly look to them, more delicate looking than his black and white photos. And who knew there was a Facebook page for Gordon Parks?

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