From a certain angle, the lay of the earth rises into blocks of buildings, then scrapes the interminable sky. It is not clear whether the two males ahead, with their backs to the camera, are poised in motion or in stasis. The opacity of their presence is due, in part, to the low contrast of the photograph. This picture seems closer to dimness than luminosity, as if to indicate a steady withdrawal of light.

— Emmanuel Iduma

The photograph was shot at Bowen University, Iwo, on a Nokia 3.1. Edited using Snapseed.

This is a black and white copy of the photo that changed my life. 

I don't remember much about the day I took it, but I recall dragging my feet to an Introduction to Sociology lecture I would ordinarily have skipped. 

I was two semesters into my second university and as unmotivated as my last day at my previous school. I hated leaving my room and did so infrequently. It's easy to draw a black swan conclusion as to why I went out that evening, but I prefer to think of it as a mystery because it was on my way that this photo found me. I was never the sort of person to use my phone camera. But all that changed after I took this photo—and decided again and again that I would "just take a photo." 

Exactly four years later, today (9th of October), I'm writing this and wondering if I'd have lived this long or well if I never took this photo. Perhaps not. 

It might seem like an exaggeration to say photography saved my life, but perhaps it would be more believable if I didn't say "unmotivated" when I meant to say clinically depressed & mildly suicidal.

I like to believe not knowing what to do with your life isn't an urgent problem, but not doing anything is. Now, I can picture a life where I don’t earn a living from photography, but I cannot imagine my life without my photos. Photography is something to do—an incredibly worthwhile activity.

— Tam Olobio

Tam Olobio is a Nigerian project manager & photographer currently based in the UK. He writesThe Ṣàlàyé Chronicles (of Tam Olobio), a newsletter featuring his photography, essays, and musings. More of his work can be found on Instagram and his portfolio.