CAS Lecture Series - The Rift: Scar of Africa

Speaker: Shem Compion

Shem Compion is a South African photographer, filmmaker, and naturalist whose work has taken him from volcanic peaks to remote wildlife hides across Africa. As co-founder and Managing Director of C4 Photo Safaris, he leads photographic expeditions into the continent’s wildest corners. His innovative underground hides have drawn global acclaim, offering rare eye-level views of elephants and birds. Shem says, “For most people, the Rift Valley is an abstraction, but I hope this landmark book, with its imagery and essays, brings a tangible way of celebrating, educating, commemorating and highlighting the significant history of the Rift, its present and the future.” Shem’s images have featured in top international competitions and major productions, including BBC Planet Earth and Tales by Light on Netflix. He co-produced the documentary Zero to Zero, capturing South Africa’s Covid-19 story, and has published seven books. A Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, Shem continues to push creative boundaries in nature photography.