Akinbode Akinbiyi, born in Oxford, England in 1946 and now based in Berlin, Germany, is recognized for his profound work in street photography, with a focus on the everyday dynamics of urban life across continents. Akinbiyi's photography extends beyond mere documentation to explore the intricate social structures, hidden aspects of cities, and the unseen elements that shape the lives of those within urban and rural environments. His artistic process is deeply immersive, involving slow, deliberate walks through city streets to capture the flow of life and architecture's influence on it. This method allows Akinbiyi to delve into the rhythms of urban and rural existence and the architectural flow that guides these lives​​.

In his exploration of large cities, Akinbiyi is drawn not by their size but by the vibrancy and perpetual motion within them, akin to the ceaseless waves of the sea. This analogy highlights his attraction to the energy and the "buzz" of city life, where the constant movement of people and traffic becomes a primary subject of his work. His approach to photography is described as a dance, an open-ended engagement with the city and its inhabitants, much like jazz music where improvisation leads to unique, expressive outcomes​​.

Akinbiyi's notable work includes the series "Sea Never Dry," "Lagos: All Roads," and "African Quarter," among others, which present intimate scenes of communal life in various cities. These series reflect his interest in the social fabric of urban populations and his attempt to document and understand the city as a phenomenon. His work has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 2021, highlighting his contribution to visual art and his unique visual language that opens up new perspectives on daily urban life far from clichés​​.

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