Indigo Dyer in Labé Square Under String Lights

Deep indigo stains coat the hands of a textile dyer standing in the public square of Labé. Raindrops glisten on the subject's skin and clothing as a brief sun shower passes through the cool season air. Overhead, strings of warm lights cast a soft, yellowish glow against the dimming blue of early evening. The dyer looks directly into the lens with a steady, intense expression, their face partially illuminated by the festive bulbs. Dark water droplets rest on the fabric folds around the shoulders, reflecting the overhead points of light. The background reveals the blurred outlines of market stalls and stone pavement, at the base of the portrait in a specific West African setting.