“This Empty World” is British photographer Nick Brandt’s latest series of pictures confronting the destruction of a fragile ecosystem in sub-Saharan Africa.  For the first time, Brandt is using color to tell the story of an animal population that’s dwindling because of poaching and human population explosion. 

“What I really want to express is how the rural poor living there are frequently the victims and not the aggressors,” Brandt said. “ More humans means more homes, factories and roads.  They are swept up in the relentless tide of progress.” 

Photographing on Maasai land in Kenya, Brandt placed a digital medium-format camera near where animals frequently pass.  Once wildlife entered the frame, a motion sensor set off the lights.  A tripwire fired the camera and flash. 

After animals were captured on camera, full sets depicting human life — a bridge, highway construction, a gas and bus station — were built at the same location.  With the camera fixed in place, Brandt photographed a second sequence with a large cast of people drawn from local communities.  The final large-scale prints are a composite, the neon glow of urban lights illuminating wild animals and humans as equal victims of their shared environment. 


In one image, a lion, no longer looking like the king of the jungle, shares a solemn expression with hundreds of humans scattered about in what could be a grim battlefield.  Another scene shows a female elephant protecting her two babies while a human family of five looks similarly concerned about what the future holds. 

“This Empty World” will be at Fahey/Klein Gallery in L.A. from Feb. 28 to April 27.  A large-format book featuring 70 of Brandt’s photo illustrations (“All sets were removed and recycled with zero waste,” the photographer added) is out this month from Thames & Hudson. 

“Riverbed With Hyenas” (Nick Brandt / Fahey/Klein Gallery Los Angeles)

“Garage With Blind Rhino” (Nick Brandt / Fahey/Klein Gallery Los Angeles)


“Bus Station With Elephant and Red Bus” (Nick Brandt / Fahey/Klein Gallery Los Angeles)

“Construction Trench With Jackal” (Nick Brandt / Fahey/Klein Gallery Los Angeles)

“Highway Bank Construction With Baby Zebra(The Coffin)” (Nick Brandt / Fahey/Klein Gallery Los Angeles)

“Highway Bank Construction With Giraffe and Workers” (Nick Brandt / Fahey/Klein Gallery Los Angeles)


“Bus Station with Lioness” (Nick Brandt / Fahey/Klein Gallery Los Angeles)

“Roundabout With Gazelle” (Nick Brandt / Fahey/Klein Gallery Los Angeles)

“The Gathering” (Nick Brandt / Fahey/Klein Gallery Los Angeles)

“Charcoal Burning With Zebras” (Nick Brandt / Fahey/Klein Gallery Los Angeles)


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