1. I edited the picture by decreasing the contrast to add variety to the degrees of light and shadow. I also decreased the saturation to make the photo black and white.
http://mangolandia.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/gordon-parks-herbert-gehr.jpg
2. I increased the highlights and decreased the contrast. This made the subjects appear gray-ish, instead of stark black and white. Highlights helped increase the brightness in the background.
https://thegenealogyofstyle.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/bettina-graziani-e2809cbettinae2809d-models-fall-college-clothes-for-vogue-photographer-frances-mclaughlin-gill-across-from-new-york_s-hunter-college-pho.jpg?w=562&h=574
3. I edited the picture by removing saturation completely and increasing highlights. You can visibly see the effect of shadows that play together, focusing minute details.
http://timestylelife.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/06_00757353.jpg
4. I removed saturation and increased contrast to highlight Amandi's face.
http://theredlist.com/media/database/muses/icon/iconic_women/iconic_women/eartha-kitt/005-eartha-kitt-theredlist.jpg
http://imgfotki.yandex.ru/get/9814/74257169.da4/0_cedae_a328e419_XXXL.jpg
About the Photographer
Gordon Parks
Gordon Parks was a brilliant photographer, creating inspiring art from 1912 to 2006. He was born in Kansas, but his love for photography led him to travel frequently. At different points in his life, Parks lived in Chicago, Washington D.C., and even Hollywood. His camera and interests focused primarily on people. He shot pictures of people from a variety of backgrounds, including fashion models, children, and black folks like himself. Gordon Parks distinguished himself through his photography style. He chose to take pictures of mankind, up close and personal. Every subject gave off a distinct emotion, conveyed by the eyes or the body language. His most famous photo features a women holding a broom and mop with the American flag in the background. The subject has a solemn expression, but she also looks proud at the same time: proud of her country and her hard work.
I chose Gordon Parks because I have an appreciation for emotion. His subjects often look contemplative or deep in thought, whether putting on make-up or standing at the bus stop. His photography brings out the best within us, what truly makes us human. Parks inspires me to look deeper, beyond outward appearances in photography. I realized that, in order to take photography, you need to understand your subject.
