David Yarrow
Dexter
2018

About the Item

Zambezi, 2018 Archival Pigment Print on 315gsm Hahnemühle Photo Rag Baryta Paper Each is signed, dated and numbered on the front. Edition Size: 12 Available sizes: 48 x 82 inches 63 x 111 inches All prints are on 315gsm Hahnemühle photo rag Baryta paper and varnished after processing to give both endurance and sheen. Each is signed, dated and numbered on the front. Price includes David Yarrow's custom black ash frame, white archival matting and protective UV acrylic. For unframed, $1,500 will be deducted from the price. David Yarrow has built an unrivaled reputation for capturing the beauty of the planet’s remote landscapes, cultures and endangered animals. Born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1966, he is an internationally acclaimed fine art photographer and Europe’s best selling wildlife photographer. "This image was close to the preconception of what I envisioned when I arrived on the Zambezi (just a little better than I dared hope). My goal was a full on “face off” portrait of a hippopotamus, which emphatically conveyed both the enormity of a bull and also the primeval bone structure of his face. This animal, more than any other remaining on our planet, would have walked onto Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park set, had they ceased to exist. They are half contemporary African wildlife, half dinosaur, and 100% lethal when compromised. The problem I had was that I wanted to get close and low and with thousands of hippos on the Zambezi, this requires either a large dose of bravery or a momentarily compliant animal. In most cases, they will drop their heads and go underwater if approached - they are mammal submarines with little tolerance for humans. Working on the Zambezi can be extremely frustrating and the world does not need any more long distance banal hippo shots from a boat - in which there is neither intensity nor immersion. I had one card in my hand - the help and support of the best guide on the lower Zambezi - Ryan from Port Elizabeth in South Africa. To him, each hippo on his stretch has a personality and - in a few cases - even a name. Over the years, he has become familiar with many individual male hippos that to the rest of us look identical. There was one hippo who showboated and was not intimidated by boats or humans which was ideal. I trusted Ryan and I am still here - so it was the right judgment call. The hippo was an enormous male called Dexter and he owns the entrance of a creek on the Zambian side of the Zambezi and can often be found sunbathing on the banks. Ryan recommended I lie on the other bank 30 yards across the creek and wait until I grabbed Dexter’s attention. Luckily my presence had no impact but the angle required me to crawl even closer through mud and water. As Dexter moved towards me, it was not easy to think about single point focus on the camera, composition or exposure from the sun. It was a highly intense five seconds but we got the shot. What a massive beast he is and the photograph does convey it. That was the goal." -David Yarrow

Creator:
David Yarrow (1966, Scottish)
Creation Year:
2018
Dimensions:
Height: 48 in (121.92 cm)Width: 82 in (208.28 cm)
Medium:
Archival Pigment
Movement & Style:
Contemporary
Period:
21st Century
Condition:
Gallery Location:
Chicago, IL
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU38833035923
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Shop All David Yarrow

David Yarrow

David Yarrow, born 1966 in Scotland, took up photography at an early age, as a 20-year-old he found himself working as a photographer for The London Times on the pitch at the World Cup Final in Mexico City. On that day, he took the sensationalized picture of Diego Maradona holding the World Cup and, as a result, was subsequently asked to cover the Olympics and numerous other high profile sporting events.

Many years later, Yarrow established himself as a fine art photographer by documenting the natural world from new perspectives and recent years have been career-defining for his mark on the world of contemporary fine art photography.

Yarrow’s evocative and immersive photography of life on earth is most distinctive and has earned him an ever-growing following among art collectors and celebrities. His distinct large monochrome images made in Los Angeles are on display in leading galleries and museums across Europe and North America. Yarrow is now recognized as one of the best-selling fine art photographers in the world and his limited edition works regularly sell at high prices at Sotheby’s and other auction houses.

In September 2019, Rizzoli published their second book by Yarrow, with a personal foreword written by global NFL star Tom Brady and thoughtful afterword written by American cultural icon and supermodel Cindy Crawford. All royalties from the book have been donated to conservation charities Tusk in the UK and WildAid in the US.

Yarrow's position in the industry has been rewarded with a wide range of advisory and ambassadorial roles. He is an ambassador for WildArk and The Kevin Richardson Foundation and is the European ambassador for Nikon. Yarrow has been integral to Nikon's most anticipated camera release of the last decade. In December 2017, he shot LVMH’s latest “Don’t Crack Under Pressure” campaign with Cara Delevingne. In January 2019, he was appointed as a global ambassador for UBS. In the spring of 2020, Yarrow was appointed a global ambassador for Best Buddies – one of America’s most established children’s charities.

Yarrow became an ambassador for the African Community and Conservation Foundation and presented his work in the Endangered Rangers virtual fundraiser. At the start of 2020, Yarrow was in Australia documenting the devastating bush fires that have destroyed communities, wildlife and wildlands. Using the striking images that he captured of the effects of the fire, he launched the #KoalaComeback Campaign to support the recovery efforts in Australia. The campaign raised over $1.4 million, and as Yarrow continues to work for humanitarian causes, his steadfast determination continues to make positive change for the benefit of global awareness. Currently, Yarrow continues to create stunning imagery with lasting global impact and archival quality that speaks to his reverence for the art of photography in capturing the wonders of the world.

Find a collection of original David Yarrow photography on 1stDibs.