Malick Sidibe

Malick Sidibe - The Eye Of Bamako

"In the late 19^th century on the back of the Long Depression the big European powers were looking for new markets for cheap raw materials with little competition and also regions that could give them a strategic advantage over their rivals. During this time France took control of Mali making it part of the larger French Sudan which gave them control over large swathes of West Africa. Mali remained under French rule until 1960 when they gained independence and were finally able to determine their own destiny. The resultant feelings of freedom from foreign rule and undoubted joy at removing the shackles of French governance were expertly captured by Malick Sidibe who just happened to make sure he was in the right places at the right times.

Born in either 1935 or 36 (he’s not sure which and there are no official records) his humble roots meant he was tending to the family flock until he first set foot in school aged ten. His natural artistic ability saw him constantly drawing and painting and also winning his fair share of prizes too. In 1952 he won a scholarship to the highly regarded Ecole des Artisans Soudanais in the capital city of Bamako and following his studies he secured a job working for Bamako’s premier photographer. His apprenticeship consisted of watching his boss at work and learning on the job. On weekends he would cycle round to all the local parties taking literally hundreds of photos which he would then take back to the studio to develop himself often staying up all night until he’d finished his tasks."

Studio Portraiture

por•trai•ture (ˈpɔr trɪ tʃər, ˈpoʊr-) 

n.

1. the art or practice of making portraits.

2. a pictorial representation; portrait.

3. a verbal picture.

Photographers have been taking portraits for as long as cameras have been around(1850's). What makes a portrait different from a photograph of a person as the subject, is the added intention to relate some personality and mood of the subject rather than just record an image of them.

Before cameras artists would paint portraits of those who could afford it and these were then used as status symbols as much as visual interpretations of the owner. Used in the home,in media and fashion.

For the module "Introduction to studio" we will be working in small groups to make a series of photographic portraits using studio flash and Hassleblad/Phase One camera and digital back. RAW files will be processed using Capture One software to produce at least 3 digital prints  from a professional lab.