Uncertain

A Photograph by Kgomotso “Neto” Tleane

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They are standing at a remove, child and woman, seen through a glass and through a lens. The small distance seems like a lesson in attention. The world, with its greenery and brick walls, is in the general direction of the woman’s gaze. The slight incline of the child’s head towards its mother, the careful balance of her hand against the ledge of the balcony, her outward stance: whoever notices small things like these is patient with affection.

— Emmanuel Iduma

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“One day my daughter will have access to this photograph and know what was happening.”

This was taken at the previous home I lived in with my partner and my daughter who was about 11 months at the time. It was during Covid lockdown in 2020. We would now and then go to the balcony to take in some air and at this moment my partner was doing that. I had told myself at the time that I would shoot intentionally in the house since I could not go anywhere. This was me documenting my space at the time.

I chose it because these are two of my loved ones, my daughter and partner. This is also a time I will never forget. There was so much uncertainty in the world and our future because of Covid. I was just glad to go through the time with people I hold close.

I mostly shoot to document. That moment might not seem so important at the time but a few months or years down the line the moment becomes something of importance. For instance, this photograph means a lot to me because I now remember what this time felt like. It's important to document for archival purposes; one day my daughter will have access to this photograph and know what was happening.

— Kgomotso “Neto” Tleane

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About Kgomotso “Neto” Tleane

Kgomotso “Neto” Tleane is a photographer, director and creative. Raised in a Limpopo he moved to Johannesburg in my late teens, where his interest in documenting and telling stories of his surroundings began. Read more about his work through this feature in It’s Nice That, and follow his work on Instagram and on his website. “Humility and respect are at the core of the work I create, which are some of the values I was taught early in my life,” he says.

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Last Week — “Out of the Shadows,” by Mohamed Fouad Semmache

I took this photograph while visiting a bentonite quarry in Hammam Boughrara, located in the western region of Algeria. Using my mobile phone camera and natural lighting, I patiently waited for the perfect moment to capture the individuals in motion, creating a cinematic scene that encapsulated the essence of the moment. This photograph represents my early days in photography, where I was still experimenting with different techniques and learning to capture compelling moments that reflect the beauty and complexity of the world around me.

Read more.

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This is the 66th 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. And every Saturday I publish a lengthier engagement with the work featured in the newsletter. My goal is to engage with early to mid-career African photographers, 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.