Black and white portraits of Africa's nomadic outsiders
- Text by HUCK HQ
- Photography by Winfried Bullinger
In Winfried Bullinger’s new book, At The Edges Of Power, viewers are taken on a journey through Africa’s remote rural regions. Armed with an analogue camera, the photographer shoots the nomads of the continent; capturing cattle herders and hunters who have been marginalised and forgotten by their societies.
The photographs were taken over a 10 year period in Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Central African Republic. Bullinger built up relationships with each of his subjects during this time, returning to shoot their situational changes. His photographs show a side of Africa that is rarely seen by Western society – one that is fraught with tension, armed conflicts, and a rapidly changing climate.
“For my portrait pictures I use daylight, no flash,” Bullinger explains. “The longer exposure time needed for daylight corresponds to my notion of making an image. It influences the picture’s impact.”
“Shadows, even in the faces that are turned toward me, give people their own idiosyncrasies and a sense of mystery. I avoid showing them in any way that is not in accordance with their everyday lives. Especially the dark sections, such as the shaded gazes, have a contextual meaning for me in the portraits. They say something about the daylight, the time of year, and the place where we met. Natural light on the face of a person in a portrait is never the same.”
Winfried Bullinger’s At the Edges of Power is published by Hatje Cantz.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Latest on Huck
The legendary trans artist & illustrator behind Drag magazine
A new book brings together pioneer Vicky West’s luminous illustrations of fantasy, femininity and fashion.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Why did police taser a Bristol grandfather in the face?
Trailblazing documentary I Am Judah chronicles community champion Ras Judah Adunbi’s horrific treatment at the hands of the police and his fight for justice.
Written by: Maisy Hunter
In photos: Ghana’s complex e-waste industry
A new exhibition explores the country’s huge, unregulated industry, which can be hazardous to workers’ health and the local enviroment, yet provides economic opportunity to many.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Meet Corbin Shaw, Huck 81’s Artist in Residence
The Sheffield born artist talks about the people and places that shaped his practice for the latest issue of Huck.
Written by: Josh Jones
The Blessed Madonna: “Dance music flourishes in times of difficulty”
The DJ talks about her debut album ‘Godspeed’, connection and resistance on the dance floor, the US election and more alongside exclusive pictures from her album release party.
Written by: Ben Smoke
Revisiting the birth of skate culture in 1970s Los Angeles
New photobook ‘Last Days of Summer: California Skateboarding Archive 1975–1978’ looks back at an iconic chapter of youth culture.
Written by: Miss Rosen