By Taiwo Badmus
In the dynamic landscape of contemporary African visual storytelling, Silva Ndifon—widely known as Nobodyshotit—emerges as a Nigerian photographer whose work breathes new life into the portrayal of African Kids.
With his series Girl Gaze, Ndifon boldly steps away from the conventional approaches to African portraiture.
Rather than relying on familiar visual tropes, he crafts a series that is rooted in elegance, symbolism, and an almost painterly attention to detail.
His work invites the viewer into a transcendent realm where African girlhood is celebrated as complex, cosmic, and deeply beautiful.
This collection positions Ndifon as a unique voice, offering a fresh and poetic lens on subjects often relegated to simplistic, one-dimensional narratives.
This striking portrait of a young girl, leaning slightly forward, her face framed by a serene expression. Set against a dreamlike backdrop of sky blue and soft clouds, the girl is enclosed by a bold red arch.
This deliberate use of color and composition elevates the portrait beyond a simple depiction of a child and into something more profound—an exploration of confidence, poise, and quiet strength. The red arch functions as a framing device, lending the portrait a sculptural quality, as if the girl is being enshrined in her own aura. It creates a sense of protection and empowerment, while the clouds suggest boundless possibility.
This portrayal is far from the ethnographic or documentary style often associated with African photography. Instead, the work feels layered and symbolic, a celebration of identity and youthfulness that seems to transcend time and space.
Ndifon carefully balances simplicity with emotional depth, creating an image that reads almost like a visual poem.
Ndifon truly excels in capturing a girl with intricately styled hair, her direct gaze conveying mystery and strength. A glowing pink moon behind her forms an ethereal halo, turning the portrait into a powerful statement about African identity’s connection to something larger— cosmic and vibrant.
The girl’s colorful beads and playful polka-dotted dress blend seamlessly with the celestial backdrop, symbolizing her unity with the universe.
This fusion of cultural elements and surreal imagery transforms the portrait into a metaphor for limitless potential, with the pink moon adding a fantastical touch that elevates the exploration of African girlhood.
Here, Ndifon photographs a young girl with luminous, piercing eyes. Behind her, a glowing golden moon bathes the scene in warmth, set against an unusual deep green background. This use of colour and light gives the image an almost surreal quality, where the girl appears to be in harmony with the moon itself.
The juxtaposition of her tender, earthly presence with the celestial body in the background adds a sense of mystery and grandeur. What truly sets this portrait apart is the emotional depth that Ndifon captures in the child’s gaze.
Her expression is layered with curiosity and wisdom, allowing the viewer to feel both a personal connection to her and an understanding of her broader place within the universe. The use of the moon is more than a backdrop; it serves as a symbol of the girl’s future, dreams, and inner world.
The portrait blends realism with symbolism in a way that evokes a deep emotional resonance.
Gaze on the hill
Silva Ndifon’s Girl Gaze series breaks away from typical portrayals of African children, creating images that are both deeply personal and universally resonant. Through his skillful use of color, framing, and symbolism, Ndifon invites viewers to see his subjects as more than individuals, but as beings connected to larger, cosmic forces. His ability to turn simple portraits into layered, powerful works of art is masterful. Avoiding common narratives of struggle or exoticism, Ndifon celebrates African girlhood as a symbol of strength, beauty, and possibility. Girl Gaze offers a fresh, inspiring perspective that cements Ndifon’s status as a bold, visionary photographer.