Look-See: Portraiture, a la Malik Sidibe

Besides the works of Seydou Keita, the shots from Malian photographer Malik Sidibe have always resonated with me. They are as simple or as complex as his subjects are; Sidibe just focuses his lens and captures their essence, without much fanfare.

One would think that bold, patterned backdrops would clutter the composition and distract the eye, but the prints and the person become one within a harmonious whole, much like an optical illusion, demystified.

And I just love how dignified his sitting models are! Consider how jaunty and poised that dapper gentleman appears: he's wearing a typical, British walking look, but his attitude and stance and belies its 'Englishness.'

LMN Harris

NB Images courtesy Malik Sidibe