A Tale Of Two Kenyas

Nikon Europe Ambassador David Yarrow profiles the animals and people that call Kenya home, presenting two very different sides to the country

- David Yarrow

Dandora, Nairobi, offers something different and locks on to my style of photography, which is staged scenes in places that are sometimes removed from our everyday life. The 30-acre rubbish heap in Dandora offered a completely unique setting and challenging visual.

The idea of having two assignments in one week shows the two sides of my photographic ‘personality.’ The same country, 300 miles apart, staged or natural, these photos are a clear representation of what drives me – uncovering the relationship between mankind and wildlife, and seeing how this can play in different settings.

The resulting shots were planned separately and use different locations, but they are connected by several things: a composition defined by behaviour, the ability to choose what I include/exclude, and, most importantly, showing two sides of this country.

Many people hear Kenya and think of its incredible wildlife and national parks, but Nairobi is different – there are still so many areas where territorial and gang violence exists, and the city, especially Dandora, continues to battle with waste and environmental problems. I wanted these images to have the same impact as the shots of elephants.