Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. H.P. Reeser, Pennsylvania highway maintenance crew member, resting along the "Old King's Highway" near Lancaster 1946

This photograph was taken by Gordon Parks in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. It features a highway maintenance crew member, H.P. Reeser, captured with light and shadow on silver gelatin. The process of photography is critical here. Parks, known for his photojournalism and documentary work, uses the camera to highlight the dignity of labor. Consider Reeser’s posture, the worn fabric of his overalls, the texture of his weathered hands and face. These are all captured with sharp, unflinching detail through the chemical process of developing and printing. Parks elevates Reeser through the careful composition of the image. It is a process of selection, framing, and ultimately memorializing, giving a sense of timelessness and respect to a moment of rest for a working man. This photograph reminds us that image-making can honor those whose labor often goes unnoticed. It’s a powerful example of how art and craft can intertwine to tell stories of everyday life and social significance.