PORTRAITS OF AFRICA
July 10, 2020
INTERVIEW
PHOTOGRAPHY Anwar Sadat
INTERVIEW Karin Svadlenak
Anwar Sadat is a Kenyan photographer based in Nairobi. He grew up in the Kibera area of Nairobi and among his photographic projects are strong documentary photographs about a resilient strong community with a lot of challenges. He first picked up photography as head of the journalism club of his secondary school. His photographs focus on real life, and portraits of people around him.
“My focus is on documentary work, photojournalism, street scenes, and portraiture. A lot of what I do is about capturing the life around me — especially the energy of Nairobi’s streets and the everyday stories within my community that people don’t usually see.
I got interested in photography back in high school, but I didn’t start taking it seriously until 2018. Photography is a tool to communicate to the world things that we may not understand or experience ourselves.”
IN CONVERSATION WITH ANWAR SADAT
THE PICTORIAL LIST: Anwar please tell us where do you find your inspiration to photograph?
ANWAR SADAT: I find inspiration in the daily lives of people and their enthusiasm to make a better tomorrow.
TPL: Often you focus really closely on people in your photography. How do you go about it?
AS: Most people I have met are very accommodating. I believe if you approach people and tell them what you are doing and why you are doing it, they wouldn’t have a reason to object. I try as much as possible to make friends with the people I photograph, just to avoid suspicions.
TPL: Has your style of shooting changed since you first started?
AS: Yes. Starting out I used to shoot everything. Most of the time I photographed models and fashion. With time I found purpose. I wanted to see beyond my images.
TPL: Where is your favourite place to photograph?
AS: Kibera is good and there is always a story worth to be told each day. However, there are so many good and talented photographers here. I’ve been to Mombasa before. I loved shooting there. There are also not enough photographers shooting documentaries. Shooting there was awesome. But after having said all that, it's not really the places that matter, it’s a story worth telling that matters and I’d go anywhere that a story takes me.
It’s a story worth telling that matters and I’d go anywhere that a story takes me.
TPL: Do you have any favourite artists or photographers you would like to share with us?
AS: Mostly I do have favorite things and people because I usually feel like I am limiting myself but among other photographers, I closely look up to people like Steve McCurry, Luis Tato, and Yagazie Emezi. There are many. Mostly I am inspired by everyday African photographers.
TPL: What camera/s do you use? Do you have a preferred lens/focal length?
AS: My preferred camera is the Canon 6d mark ii, but I do not have it. I mostly shoot on a Canon 5d mark ii or a Canon 700d. I shoot with a wide angle 24-70mm f4 or 50mm f1.2.
TPL: What characteristics do you think you need to become a better photographer? Any tips or advice for someone just starting out?
AS: First one needs to choose their path, decide on what genre one wants to pursue. Doing this is hard but it helps one do more research on how to be better in the same field. One should be patient, friendly, observing, trustworthy, flexible and self-driven.
TPL: Are there any special projects you are currently working on?
AS: Currently I am focusing on the lives of people under quarantine. I am also trying to work with as few people as possible to tell a love story between two young people with different backgrounds. These are not serious projects, but I am trying to be active and creative during this time when most of our movements are restricted.
TPL: “When I am not out photographing, I (like to)…
AS: I am either spending time with friends playing video games, or watching documentary materials, learning something new.”
