United Skates of Africa
A Photograph by Tora Traoré
This is the 175th edition of Tender Photo, a newsletter on African photography.
The first face in the image is seen partially, focusing the viewer on the intensity of his stare. Just to the left, another figure meets the lens, even while his attention is sought by the person leaning beside him. The rest of the assembly is drawn to something out of frame, hinting at a larger story behind the photographer. The man holding up a red t-shirt is half the height of the sculptural monument that serves as a backrest for his neighbours. The relaxed and distracted nature of the group suggests a familiarity with the photographer, who is positioned within the gathering rather than outside it.
— Haja Fanta
“The search for spontaneity, for truth in its freest form.”
This photo was taken in Abidjan, two days before the end of a skate tour organized by SurfGhana in October 2022. The goal of the tour, lasting a little over a week, was to bring together Ghanaian and Ivorian skate communities. I was tasked with documenting the journey. Initially, I was just going to take a group photo with all the skaters, but I am fascinated by movements. By instinct, I started moving my camera, getting closer to try to capture less frozen, less sought-after moments.
I chose this photo because it represents what characterizes my work as a documentary photographer: the search for spontaneity, for truth in its freest form. It also represents African unity amongst the youth and the practice of a sporting discipline that brings more and more people together, despite the difficulties of movement between our countries.
I would define photography as the continuity of my gaze. I believe that the real photo is first taken with the eyes, the gaze and then, we try to freeze what we see through a camera. Which is fascinating but is not always obvious. In this sense, it is important to keep an eye on our environment, both immediate and distant. This is what sharpens the gaze and informs us the selection of this or that angle, this or that lens, one model or another, photograph a scene or not. And what's unique about it is that despite all those conscious and unconscious choices, the impact of a photo can be different from one person to another.
— Tora Traoré
About Tora Traoré
Tora San Traoré is an Ivorian photographer and visual artist whose work focuses on the social and urban realities of Côte d'Ivoire. Through a documentary-style approach, he explores themes such as Abidjan's nightlife, sports, current events, and fashion. He exhibited at the exhibition "Art in the City" (2023), organized by the Dapper Foundation in Abidjan. In 2024, he also participated in the sports edition of LIVE MAGAZINE in Abidjan. In June 2025, he published his first photo book, "OUR TOWN," produced by Dola, documenting surf and skate culture in Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, and Nigeria. Based in Abidjan, he has collaborated with media outlets such as Mediapart, Libération, and Air Afrique magazine as well as institutions such as the French Development Agency. He continues his visual research between photography and filmmaking, always placing people and the environment at the heart of his artistic approach.
You can find more of Tora Traoré’s work via Instagram.
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I chose this photograph because it marks a turning point in my artistic journey. It is part of a three-photo series and it received the Absa L’Atelier Grand Award in 2016, which opened up significant opportunities—most notably, a six-month art residency in Paris. This experience drove me to explore new mediums such as video, installation, and publications. My work gradually expanded from personal expression toward a deeper engagement with collective narratives, public space, and socially engaged art.
The TENDER PHOTO newsletter is the flagship project of Tender Photos, a digital platform of African photography and visual storytelling, founded by Emmanuel Iduma and Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀. This edition is edited by Haja Fanta, one of our editorial fellows. Our aim is to engage with life on the African continent through photography. We publish narratives about the people, places, and events pictured in photographs, contributing to nuanced and layered perceptions. The newsletter also read on web (best for viewing images), and via the Substack iOS/Android apps.
Every Wednesday we feature a photograph, a short caption about it, and a statement from the photographer. In the past, we have 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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This was beautiful to read. The phrase “I would define photography as the continuity of my gaze” spoke to me in ways I cannot explain. Although I'm not a photographer “the continuity” for me is expressed through words, through writing, I'm able to
Freeze moments and emotions that I felt deeply.
I hope to
See more of his work🙏.