Interview with Photographer Discovering the Deep Nuances of Africa’s Great Rift
For thousands of years, humans and animals have lived side by side in Africa’s Great Rift Valley, an extensive geographical fissure frequently regarded as the birthplace of humanity. This region, rich with some of the earliest hominid remains and a multitude of ecosystems, stretches across 11 nations on the African landmass and into the Middle East, characterized by deep valleys, rivers, volcanic highlands, and a series of lakes. In this diverse landscape, gorillas traverse verdant mountains; elephants roam arid deserts; leopards hunt in flourishing grasslands; and fish navigate rivers that culminate in roaring waterfalls.
Over twenty years ago, Shem Compion’s intrigue with the Great Rift Valley began to take shape. Since 2002, the South African photographer has immersed himself in the area, capturing a wide range of subjects from endangered fauna and breathtaking terrains to intimate portrayals of local tribes in Ethiopia’s Omo Valley and other cultural communities across the Rift. Regardless of the context, these images serve as a moving testament to the region’s richness—and the importance of its conservation. After all, it is likely that no other location in the world has had as profound an impact on humanity as the Rift.
After years of dedication, Compion has unveiled The Rift: Scar of Africa, a significant new volume that compiles 280 of his photographs from the region. Throughout the book, readers will discover aerial shots of small hamlets positioned beneath majestic mountains; tender close-ups of women adorned with intricately crafted jewelry; and monochrome images of animals navigating the natural terrain. Enhancing the book are writings from over 20 scholars, including anthropologists, historians, scientists, conservationists, and poets, such as UN Goodwill Ambassador for the IFAD Sabrina Dhowre Elba and former Prime Minister of Ethiopia Hailemariam Desalegn, among others.
“I realized that nothing is as it seems in the Rift,” Compion shared with My Modern Met. “The deeper significance behind what we observe is the true beauty of the Rift’s narrative that we have conveyed.”
My Modern Met had the opportunity to engage with Shem Compion regarding his photographic endeavors, his new publication, and the sustained passion he holds for the Great Rift Valley. Continue reading for our exclusive discussion with the photographer.
What initially drew you to photography as your main artistic form?
In my early exploration, I came to understand that photography revolves around achieving a proper exposure with light, a subject, and your camera. The insight I gained was that by employing a creative approach, you can elevate that image—using the same light, subject, and camera—into something captivating, visually compelling, and definitive. The fundamental elements remain constant, yet modifying your viewpoint can transform an ordinary image into an extraordinary one. Once I grasped this concept, I knew that photography would be my lifelong pursuit.
What attracted you to Africa’s Great Rift Valley as a photographic focus, and how has this passion persisted over time?
As a photographer, you absorb various stimuli that aid in crafting outstanding imagery—it’s where the term “inspiration and feel” originates. Lake Nakuru in Kenya sits at the core of the Rift. It’s a lake nestled in the shadows of the Rift escarpment, teeming with flamingos and surrounded by breathtaking wildlife. The town along the escarpment is seen in the distance, and my family has lived just an hour away via donkey cart for three generations.
In this place, the Rift is vibrant—it’s a living, breathing entity of wildlife, conservation, and community, all coexisting in the same space. That moment was crucial for me in recognizing the importance of the Rift—being amidst lions and rhinos within a forest and lake system shaped by geology, while human populations also rely on it for their livelihoods.
The familial connection solidified that bond, and being among 60,000 flamingos further fueled my enthusiasm. From that point onwards, the passion was evident, as the Rift embodies numerous interlinked relationships: our shared humanity, hotspots of biodiversity, geological splendor, and, undoubtedly, it stands as the foremost repository of the origins of humankind.
What was the journey of creating your latest book, The Rift?
My photographic journeys over the past two decades have allowed me to amass images. Many of these photographs are from my safari business excursions focusing on Rift Valley destinations like the Mara/Serengeti ecosystem, the mountain gorillas, or South Luangwa. My private explorations led me to more secluded areas, where I sought the magic to capture with my camera. It was within these settings that I felt most inspired.
I officially began the process of compiling everything into a book in August 2021. The following four years predominantly revolved around determining the right chapter format and finding the most suitable contributors. One valuable lesson I learned was the generosity of many experts—they were eager to see the story of the Rift told. I reached out via email to Prof. Donald Johanson, who discovered ‘Lucy’ 51 years ago and