WHO IS HE?

Seydou Keita is the self-taught photographer who sparked my interest in portrait, fashion, and family photography; as well as photojournalism and macro/micro face picture-taking. He is best known for his works of art captured between 1940 and 1960, exhibited in hundreds of gallery’s nationwide. That is a great accomplishment for any photographer. He is also known for his books:

1. Seydou Keita
2. You Look Beautiful Like That
3. Photographs, Bamako, Mali 1948-1963

I don’t want to go on a rant about how much I love him, but I will say that Seydou’s work continues to take my breath away. I am always discovering new elements in his photography that I may have missed the first time around. I often mention his name in conversations when I am asked about how I nurture my eccentricities. I honor the greatness in other people. Seydou’s work has challenged and inspired me to share my gifts with the world.

There are many people who are capable of taking exceptional photos but, if you are looking for a teacher, examining his work may help you to understand what photography is really about. With him, it was more than just a picture, it was history, culture, fashion, and reality.

Here are some of my favorite pictures that you can find on the internet. However, there are so many great photos in his books, so if you have a library card, check them out!

In Janet Jackson‘s video, Got Til It’s Gone featuring Q-Tip and Joni Mitchell, the images reminded me of Seydou’s work. Let me know what you think.

Other photographers whose work I appreciate.

Gordon Parks

Deborah Willis and Carrie Mae Weems…https://africanessence.wordpress.com/muses/

Looking for reasons to become a photographer? Examining Seydou Keita’s work- you just may want to try it out!

I am Kush.

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• 54 Reasons Why You Should Be a Photographer
• Reflections in Black: A History of Black Photographers 1840 to Present
• African and African American Photography
• The Gordon Parks Foundation
• Who is Carrie Mae Weems?
• Read a Deborah Willis Book Today!
• Seydou Keïta (mastersofphotography.wordpress.com)
• The Roots of Photography (anamethatisselfimportantandthoughtprovoking.wordpress.com)
• Shila Iris Muses