Liban ELMI

Liban Elmi is a photographer born in Somalia and currently based in the United Kingdom. He discovered photography during the pandemic, initially as a tool for documenting everyday life, and later as a way to explore human connection and the unseen narratives that run through societies. With a background in engineering and development, he approaches image-making in a structured yet intuitive way. He primarily works with 35mm and 50mm lenses, in both digital and analog formats, often using high-contrast black-and-white to enhance the narrative dimension of his images. Through his travels, he focuses on the similarities and differences between cultures, from the streets of Tokyo to the coastlines of Brighton. His projects revolve around themes of movement, time, and transition, capturing both everyday moments and shifts between activity and stillness. His recent series include Water Signs, exploring human relationships with water across the world, and Closing Time on the Pier, documenting the transition from liveliness to disappearance. A finalist and winner in several international competitions, including Eyeshot Open Call 2024, Brussels Photo Festival 2025, Oslo Photo 25, Berlin Photo 2025, and Dublin Street Festival 2026, he is currently developing long-term projects focused on contemporary human experience.