Celebrating Seydou Keita, the iconic self-taught Malian photographer [Photos]

Born in 1921 in Bamako, Mali, Seydou Keita was a self-taught and well sought after photographer in Bamako during his time.

Originally trained to be a carpenter by his father, Keita branched into photography in 1935 when his uncle gave him his first camera, a Kodak Brownie Flash.

According to seydoukeitaphotographer.com, “Seydou Keïta’s photographs eloquently portray Bamako society during its era of transition from a cosmopolitan French colony to an independent capital.”

He passed away in 2001 in Paris, France.

To celebrate this iconic and talented photographer’s legacy, Face2Face Africa shares with you some photos from his portfolio. Enjoy!

Photo Credit: CAAC – The Pigozzi Collection, Geneva

Photo Credit: CAAC – The Pigozzi Collection, Geneva

Photo Credit: CAAC – The Pigozzi Collection, Geneva

Photo Credit: CAAC – The Pigozzi Collection, Geneva

Photo Credit: CAAC – The Pigozzi Collection, Geneva

Photo Credit: CAAC – The Pigozzi Collection, Geneva

Photo Credit: CAAC – The Pigozzi Collection, Geneva

Photo Credit: seydoukeitaphotographer.com

Photo Credit: seydoukeitaphotographer.com

Photo Credit: seydoukeitaphotographer.com

Photo Credit: seydoukeitaphotographer.com