Between Worlds
A Photograph by Skander Khlif
Of the three co-travelers, only one has the luxury of turning backwards, and very little can be made of its tame stare. The man, wearing a jersey, with a book tuck in his back pocket, is constrained by the weight of endeavour—these animals who must stay tethered to him. In this moment, when the street seems as passive to their rhythmic poise as they are to other wayfarers, what counts, to the man at least, is to measure the balance of his strides.
— Emmanuel Iduma
“My approach here was intuitive, immersing myself in the energy of the city to capture this fleeting yet powerful moment.”
This photograph was taken in Dakar, Senegal. Dakar, the pulse of Senegal, is a city where the weight of history merges with the restless energy of today. Framed by the Atlantic’s unyielding waves, its colonial past coexists with a vibrant present, shaped by the dynamism of constant change. As I wandered through its streets, I encountered this scene: a man carrying a goat on his shoulders while navigating the urban bustle. The blend of modern elements—cars, architecture—and the timelessness of the man’s act struck me instantly. My approach here was intuitive, immersing myself in the energy of the city to capture this fleeting yet powerful moment.
This image resonates with me because it symbolizes the coexistence of tradition and modernity—a theme central to many of my projects. The juxtaposition of the man’s basketball jersey with the ancient practice of carrying livestock highlights the adaptability of cultural traditions in the face of urbanization. For me, it also reflects Dakar’s unique identity: a city deeply rooted in history yet constantly evolving. This photograph invites the viewer to reflect on the resilience of culture amidst the pressures of modernity.
My approach to photography is mostly intuitive, guided by a deep sense of connection to the environment and people I’m capturing. At the same time, for collaborative portraiture or critical moments, I take a deliberate, planned approach—arranging poses and compositions to ensure the narrative comes through clearly. I believe photography is impactful because it bridges gaps, offering a universal language to express human experiences. Whether it’s a spontaneous street scene or a carefully crafted portrait, photography has the power to evoke emotion, preserve stories, and provoke meaningful dialogue.
— Skander Khlif
About Skander Khlif
Skander Khlif is a Tunisian visual storyteller who divides his time between Munich and Tunis. With a background in science and over a decade in the tech industry, he has traveled the globe, capturing social and cultural narratives from a personal perspective. He is currently working on a long-term project about climate change in North Africa. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with various magazines, won several awards, and held multiple exhibitions. See more of his work via his website, Behance portfolio, and on Instagram.
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This picture was taken in Tulear, Madagascar in March 2021, with an iPhone 5s smartphone from the upstairs window of a nightclub. The scene was there, I just had to immortalize it by taking care of the framing.
LAST WEEK — “What You See is What You See” by Hana Gamal
This photograph was taken on one of my long night walks. I remember this day very well; I was walking so lost in my thoughts and then I saw a local wedding happening on the street in one of Cairo’s oldest neighborhoods. I went into the bride’s house and people were very warm and they instantly invited me into the bride’s room. I stayed there for a while talking and laughing with the girls but I couldn’t help but observe how the bride was so nervous and every couple of minutes she checked herself in the mirror to see if she looked beautiful.
This is the 142nd edition of this publication. The newsletter also read on web (best for viewing images), and via the Substack iOS/Android apps.
TENDER PHOTO is a collaborative digital archive and publishing platform of contemporary African photography, edited by Emmanuel Iduma. Our aim is to use photography to engage with life on the African continent. We publish narratives about the people, places, and events pictured in photographs, contributing to nuanced and layered perceptions.
Every Wednesday we feature a photograph, a short caption about it, and a statement from the photographer. Last year, we published commentaries or photo-essays in response to photographs previously featured on the newsletter, including CORRESPONDENCES, CONCORDANCE, KINDRED, INDEX, and AFFINITIES.
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