African American poet, writer, and photographer best known for his dramatic photographic images of Southern segregation and the urban poor in Harlem and the slums of Brazil.
The New York Times wrote of the former Life Magazine photographer that his work is "uniquely marked by the power of personal conviction."
In the US, Parks is also widely known for his work as film director, most notably for the exploitation flick "Shaft", as well as "Leadbelly" and "The Learning Tree."