Gordon Parks, American Gothic, 1942.

What makes this photograph interesting is how Gordon Parks uses:

• Direct, symbolic lighting that highlights the subject’s face and tools to emphasize struggle and resilience

• A muted color palette that reinforces the seriousness of the subject

• A controlled, grounded body posture, with the subject centered

• A sharply defined subject with softened shadows in the background to keep all focus on emotion and message

• Strong visual symbolism (the broom, the mop, the flag) layered to represent identity, labor, and the tension between ideals and reality

This portrait conveys themes of inequality and perseverance, as the woman stands alone in front of the American flag holding cleaning tools, suggesting both her isolation within society and her strength. The contrast between her quiet expression and the powerful backdrop communicates the message that ordinary people often carry the weight of the nation’s unspoken struggles.

This portrait is an example of the type of emotionally symbolic portraiture that inspires my own work. I want to use strong, intentional lighting and purposeful composition to communicate meaning through simple details. I aim to mimic Parks’ use of controlled posture and neutral expressions to guide attention not only to the subject but also to the objects around them. In contrast to this photo, my focus will be on objects held by the subject to show the personal value people attach to everyday items. However, Parks’ ability to combine symbolism, emotion, and visual clarity is what I appreciate most about his work, and what I want to bring into my final sets.