Senegalese Man
Senegal, West Africa 1998
This is an old slide, but it scanned well. I’ve always liked this photo: the way the man’s arm curves over his head as he balances the burlap sack of millet…the colors of maroon and yellow. His expression is kind.
He lived near a small trading village and had come to buy millet for his family. I asked permission to photograph him and he said he wanted ten dollars for it. Of course, I said no and turned to leave, but he called me back and stood for me for a minute or two. I did give him some money, not ten dollars, though, but maybe enough to buy another sack of millet.
It’s kind of a debate among people who photograph, should we pay or shouldn’t we? I don’t mind as models in our country are paid and there was no way I could send a photo back to this man even if he did want one. I don’t like to shoot in places where everyone demands a certain amount for each shutter click. That takes all the fun out of it. You’re just going to get a shot of a person demanding money. Not so interesting.
Is this man really a tribal chief? I don’t know for sure, but his eyes are wise and kind and for me those are attributes a chief should have. His demeanor was dignified. He was well dressed. The men near him showed him respect. That adds up to a chief in my eyes.