Every artist has a story, but what sets them apart is how they choose to tell it. Some follow the expected path, waiting for the perfect moment to share their work. Others, like Kolawole Ayinde, embrace the journey, shaping their own narrative through passion, persistence, and an unshakable belief in their vision.
For Kolawole, photography isn’t just about capturing what’s in front of the lens, it’s about crafting a story that lingers in the mind of the viewer. He stands by the philosophy that “As an artist, how you are able to paint your story is what makes it a success,” a mindset that fuels his creative approach and sets his work apart.
In an industry that is constantly evolving, staying true to one’s artistic voice can be a challenge. Yet, Kolawole remains dedicated to his craft, pushing boundaries and redefining what it means to tell a story through images. The Business of Photography spoke with him about his journey, creative process, and what it truly takes to build a lasting impact through photography.
Here’s what he had to say.
- ”COULD YOU GIVE A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF YOURSELF, AND WHAT DRIVES YOU AS A CINEMATOGRAPHER AND CREATIVE?”
My name’s Kolawole Ayinde. I’m a cinematographer and creative, my primary drive is to tell compelling stories through the visual language of film. I am deeply passionate about using natural light, composition, movement, and color to evoke emotions, to create atmosphere, and immerse audiences in the narrative. Every project is an opportunity to explore new perspectives, push creative boundaries, and collaborate with other artists to bring a shared vision to life. What drives me most is the ability to connect with people on a profound level. Ultimately, my goal is to create work that not only entertains but also inspires, challenges, and sparks meaningful conversations. The ever-evolving nature of filmmaking keeps me curious and driven, as there’s always something new to learn, experiment with, and discover in this dynamic art form.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE A CAREER IN CINEMATOGRAPHY AND STORYTELLING
Growing up as a child I watched some interesting movies like King Solomon’s mine, Idin Amin of Uganda and Mandela. I use to wonder how the films were made then as a child, and growing up i decided to venture into film making to bring my childhood dreams to life so I can make my own films. I started with learning photography for better understanding of composition and perspective. I would say watching movies while growing up inspired my pursuit of cinematography and storytelling.
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HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE EVOLUTION OF CINEMATOGRAPHY AND STORYTELLING IN AFRICA OVER THE PAST DECADE?
The evolution of cinematography and storytelling in Africa over the past decade has been marked by a fusion of tradition and innovation, an embrace of digital technology, and a surge in global recognition. African cinematography and storytelling have evolved into a more visually sophisticated, globally recognized, and culturally rooted art form. The continent is experiencing a renaissance, balancing heritage with innovation, and shaping the future of global cinema.
- WHAT ROLE DO AFRICAN CULTURES PLAY IN SHAPING YOUR VISUAL STORYTELLING?
African cultures play a significant and profound role in shaping my visual storytelling. The richness, diversity, and depth of African traditions, histories, and aesthetics provide a vibrant foundation for creating compelling narratives. African cultures are deeply rooted in oral traditions, folklore,
and mythology. These stories often carry universal themes such as community, resilience, identity, and spirituality, which I weave into my visual storytelling to create relatable and impactful narratives.By integrating these cultural elements, my visual storytelling not only honors African heritage but
also contributes to a broader understanding and appreciation of its enduring influence on global art and narrative traditions.
- CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE SIGNIFICANCE OF FRAMING AND PERSPECTIVE IN ENHANCING A STORY’S IMPACT?
Absolutely! Framing and perspective are powerful storytelling tools that shape how audiences perceive and emotionally connect with a story. Perspective determines whose viewpoint the audience
experiences. Changing perspectives can dramatically alter the emotional depth and meaning of a story. Framing sets the boundaries of perception, while perspective determines whose experience
we share together, they shape how a story is felt, understood, and remembered.
- HOW HAS THE RISE OF STREAMING PLATFORMS AND DIGITAL MEDIA INFLUENCED THE WAY AFRICAN STORIES ARE TOLD?
Streaming platform and digital media has been a phenomena and a game changer for African stories over the years. It has helped African stories reach a wider audience across the globe and gained interaction which has helped strengthen African storytellers in actualization of their goals.
- IN YOUR OPINION, HOW MUCH OF A STORY’S SUCCESS RELIES ON CINEMATOGRAPHY, AND WHY?
As a Director/Cinematographer i would say both work hand in hand. In visual storytelling the success of the story rely on Film Language which is what a filmmaker use to convey his/her message to the audience. “As an artist, how you are able to paint your story is what makes it a success”.
- HOW DO YOU DECIDE ON THE MOST EFFECTIVE CAMERA ANGLES TO CONVEY THE EMOTION OR TONE OF A STORY?
Choosing the most effective camera angles to convey emotion and tone in a story involves a combination of cinematic techniques, psychological impact, and storytelling intent. As a cinematographer you interpret the script with the language of film that’s in sync with the story.If you use the wrong visual language you automatically give the story a different meaning from what the director is trying to show the audience.So it is crucial for you to have a deep understanding of visual language before you embark on shooting a film.
- WHAT OPPORTUNITIES DO YOU SEE FOR EMERGING FILMMAKERS IN AFRICA TO BREAK INTO THE GLOBAL MARKET?
Africa as a whole is on a global scale already is left for African creatives to position themselves and seize every opportunity that comes there way to prove to the outside world that they’ve what it takes to con, with the advent of social and digital platforms the world has become a global village.As an emerging filmmaker in African there are myriads of digital platforms you can access through the use of mobile devices.
- HOW DO YOU APPROACH DEVELOPING A VISUAL STYLE THAT ALIGNS WITH THE STORY YOU’RE TELLING?First,I go through the script to know what genre of story I’m working on. After that i work closely with the production design person to know what colour palette he or she is working with and I start looking for an image reference that will suit the theme of the story. I also look for a visual reference from other cinematographers’ work for inspiration.
- WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL BE THE DEFINING CHARACTERISTICS OF CINEMATOGRAPHY AND STORYTELLING IN THE NEXT DECADE?
Well, I would say integration of Artificial intelligent into digital camera in other to have a pre-visualization of CGI/VFX shot created on a greenscreen to avoid the stress of post-production after the shoot and also i think it will help in reducing the amount of time spent on postproduction.
- WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ASPIRING CINEMATOGRAPHERS AND STORYTELLERS IN AFRICA LOOKING TO MAKE AN IMPACT?
My advice to young and aspiring filmmakers in Africa is to keep creating and don’t stop learning.
To know and see more of Kolawole Ayinde work check him out on IG @kolawoleblvck
