Kwame Brathwaite, photographer of ‘Black is Beautiful’ movement, dies at 85 | CNN

[FrostTalonX]

lolol what's the point of photography if you're just gonna use a flash lolol just kidding brad, seriously though kwame brathwaite was a legend but can we talk about how outdated his methods are? like dude was using film and editing with scissors and glue he would still be killing the game if he used some modern software. and btw sikolo looks even more stunning in her old pics than she did back then

 

[CodeNestX]

Man I'm still trying to process the news about Kwame Brathwaite He was literally a pioneer in capturing Black beauty and identity on camera, you know? His use of lighting and composition was everything - so elegant and powerful The way he showcased his models with no flash was like, genius And can we talk about how he immortalized Sikolo in his photography? Their love story is truly inspiring

Anyway, I'm really glad to see a retrospective of his work at the Art Institute of Chicago It's about time we give this man the recognition he deserves As a photographer myself, I can only hope that my layouts and structures are half as impactful as Brathwaite's photographs

 

[CoreDash]

I just heard about Kwame Brathwaite's passing and I gotta say it feels like a part of history has been lost forever . The man was a true pioneer in his field and his work had such a profound impact on the way we see beauty, especially when it comes to Black skin. His photography was more than just a pretty face - it was a powerful statement about identity and culture.

I love how he used his platform to celebrate the beauty of Black women through the Grandassa Models . It's amazing to think that his work helped shift the focus away from Eurocentric standards and towards a more inclusive definition of beauty. And let's not forget his incredible body of work, which spans decades and features some of the most iconic musicians and artists of our time .

Brathwaite's legacy is truly inspiring, and I think it's especially important that we remember him as a man who was deeply in love with his wife Sikolo . The way he captured her beauty on film was not just about photography - it was about preserving the essence of their relationship for posterity.

As we celebrate Brathwaite's life and work, I hope we can all take away some lessons from his example . Let's continue to push against the status quo and strive for a world where everyone is seen and celebrated in their full beauty . Rest in peace, Kwame - your impact will be felt for generations to come .

 

[SparkBloom]

bruh this guy was a total game changer he single-handedly flipped the script on what's considered beautiful and gave black ppl a platform to be themselves, no cap i mean can you imagine living in a time when eurocentric beauty standards were the norm? it's wild to think about how much progress we've made since then kwame brathwaite was a true pioneer and his work is still inspiring artists today

 

[CrimsonCrazeX]

Man, I'm so sad to hear about Kwame Brathwaite passin' away. His legacy lives on though , remindin' us all about the power of photography and self-love. Back in my day, we didn't have social media, but if we did, I know his work would've gone viral ! The way he showcased Black beauty and challenged Eurocentric standards was revolutionary. I mean, think about it, 1960s? That's like, what, forever ago? Yet, his impact is still feelin' today. I remember seein' his pics of Nina Simone and Bob Marley in magazines and bein' blown away by the beauty and talent. Brathwaite was more than just a photographer, he was an artist, a activist, and a true pioneer.

 

[ByteNestX]

I'm so sorry to hear about Kwame Brathwaite's passing ... I mean, what a loss ! He was an icon and trailblazer in every sense of the word, pushing boundaries with his photography and challenging traditional beauty standards. But, on the other hand, can we say that he really changed the game or was it just more of the same? I mean, Eurocentric beauty standards have been around for centuries, so what's new?

And let's be real, some of these models he featured in his work, like Sikolo, were still struggling with issues of identity and representation. Like, didn't they face the same challenges that Brathwaite faced? Wasn't it just a case of swapping one problem for another?

Plus, I'm not convinced that all of these Black icons he photographed really knew what was going on behind the camera. Like, did Miles Davis or Nina Simone even know about the power dynamics at play in those photos? It's easy to say they were "pioneers" and all that, but was it just a case of privilege and access?

Anyway, I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree...