I’m Just Somebody Who Wants to Love and Be There for You.

A Photograph by Cole Ndelu

Mar 22, 2023

One head is seen almost in full, the other is positioned close to the edge of the frame. What’s equally significant is the face that rests close to a nape. It is an intimacy made apparent by how close the lens gets—an obvious conceit by which the photographer can show a moment of tenderness. Both eyes are closed. What desire doesn’t wish to be seen? This question reveals a blind hubris, as if a photograph can show all there is to see in a face.

— Emmanuel Iduma

“One of the initial mandates of photography is democracy.”

I photographed Sami Maseko and Mpumelelo “Frypan” Mfula in 2021 for the ongoing series, “The Architecture of Love” which is a body of work comprised of photography, motion picture, and text as a collage that explores themes related to love, intimacy, safety, connection, healing, and nature.
I took this image in 2021 during my time as an artist in residence with the University of KwaZulu Natal as an Artist Protection Fund Fellow. During my time in residence, I made work in Durban, Cape Town, and Johannesburg where this photograph was taken. This was taken on my friend's rooftop, using natural light—I really love milking the light between 5 and 7 for all it has. This image is meant to represent closeness, intimacy, safety, and the quietness that people can share.
I chose this photograph because I personally enjoy how the concept and composition balance each other. You can go in so many different ways when you’re exploring something as big, complicated and simple as love. I guess I’d say I enjoy the closeness, the metaphor, the colour and the way the work feels. I had always wanted to photograph Sami and Frypan together, and I was surprised by how easily it came together after so many years of planning and delays.
My approach to photography involves a lot of research and daydreaming; I plan and flow, I work with people a lot, often photographing people I see around and meet online, people whose stories I resonate with, and people I meet during my travels. I think photography is layered, it makes things visible and gives people the power to make things matter. Photography is broader and continues to evolve and expand; it is easy to take it for granted because it’s so accessible—which actually supports one of the initial mandates of photography, democracy.

— Cole Ndelu

About Cole Ndelu

Cole Ndelu is a photographer and contemporary artist currently based in Durban, South Africa. She graduated in 2016 from the Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography with a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication, majoring in Photography. Her work occupies the intersection between art, fashion, documentary, and spirituality, and explores the themes of vulnerability, self-care, justice, and space. She works primarily in photography but also works with mediums such as text, sound, collage and motion as a fledgling director and cinematographer. See more of her work on her website and Instagram. Also see a feature of her work on Bubblegumclub.

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When I pick up a camera it's not to be impactful or to follow a particular approach. I want to produce what I have in mind and what excites my eyes. I basically follow what I am led to do and what I like. I don't really care about anything else.

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This is the 58th edition of this publication. The newsletter can also read on web (best for viewing images), and via the Substack iOS/Android apps. Every Wednesday I feature one photograph and the photographer who took it: you’d read a short caption from me, and a statement from the photographer. My goal is to support early to mid-career African photographers by engaging with their work, and to create a platform in which photographers lead the cataloguing and criticism of their work. If this newsletter was shared with you, consider subscribing, or forward to a friend. Please whitelist the newsletter to ensure you never miss it.

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