No Ordinary Sky
A Photograph by Tsion Haileselassie
What is there to see in an expanse of purple sky? It is the same question I might ask when presented with a view of a limitless stretch of an ocean. The sky and the ocean share, I’d say, the same guile—surfaces that seem endless and uncharted. But a seafarer or cloudspotter knows what to look for, where and how to look for it. A photograph of the sky is therefore a piece of what is offered when we look up, just as a slice is taken as indicative of the pie. An abundance we might fail to notice.
Tsion Haileselassie: “The photograph is special to me because it feels like brighter days are coming.”
This photograph was taken in Megenaga, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
As a photographer that is in love with, and introduced to scenery through the street, I'm ready to capture what feels right. It's a gut feeling almost.
The photograph is special to me because it feels like brighter days are coming. It's like a reminder that I am here.
My approaches slightly changes based on what I photograph or decide to create. Most times I prep by thinking and keeping the thought marinated before I pick the camera to photograph. I write and revisit it—basically meditate on it. At other times the moment feels right and I make a quick decision to photograph.
Photography is one of the biggest storytelling mediums. It can transport not only messages but at times you can feel what you see as an audience.
Two more photographs by Tsion Haileselassie
Tsion is interested in street photography “as a way to capture the magic we often overlook as we go about our days.”
Last Week — Fua Bilich
My approach to photography is to enjoy it. I don't stress too much about the techniques. I just shoot and make sure I fully engage with the moment.
Read more: Timket in Ziway
Support Tsion Haileselassie
Thank you for reading and sharing this feature. Follow Tsion on Instagram, where you can DM her for prints. Tsion belongs to the African Women in Photography community, and her work has been featured in boom saloon.
Support TENDER PHOTO
This is the 21st edition of the newsletter. Every week I feature one photograph and the photographer who took it. You’ll read a short caption from me, and a statement from the photographer. My goal is to set up conversations with the work of early to mid-career African photographers. You can support the newsletter by asking anyone—or 10 people!—interested in the impact and meanings of photography to subscribe. And, if you know of any photographer whose work is deserving of attention, please email me with their name(s).
What readers are saying:
Gorgeous photographs and a discovery. I’d never heard of this photographer. Thank you! — Ayodeji Rotinwa, deputy editor of African Arguments, on “Soft” by Namafu Amutse.
These made me smile. I recently saw the 2018 Thriller/Mystery Vivarium, where one of the indications that something was wrong were the perfect clouds in the sky. The firs picture reminds me that I don't think the perfect cloud exists, in the second picture, it looks like the person is receiving bad news on the phone and I wonder if that cloud has a silver lining. The cloud doesn't have to be perfect I say to myself, it just needs a silver lining for the bad days and the last picture with the Abibas logo says there is no perfect logo. It's just like Yoruba people say, whether we tie the waist around the cloth, or tie the cloth around the waist, what matters is that the waist is covered.