Seydou Keita

I first saw the photography of Seydou Keita at the Tate Modern. Its beauty took my breath away. Keita (1921 - 2001) was a self-taught photographer from Mali (formerly French Sudan). He took up the art after an uncle gave him a camera.

Keita worked hard to hone his craft and came to have his own portrait studio, where he shot black and white photographs with lush compositions.

His work was of such renown that people traveled great distances to sit for him. I can certainly see why...his portraits are stunning.

A short interview with Mr. Keita can be found here, and his work lives on in some wonderful books here, here and here.

All images by Seydou Keita.