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David Yarrow
Bear Island, Alaska by David Yarrow - Contemporary Wildlife Photography

2023

Price Upon Request
Price Upon Request
Price Upon Request
Price Upon Request
Price Upon Request
Price Upon Request
Price Upon Request
Price Upon Request
Price Upon Request
Price Upon Request
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About the Item

Edition of 12 Sizes Large 50" x 103" 65" x 118" Standard 37" x 77" 52" x 92" Artist Statement: "On the final day of our annual trip, we finally had our moment in Alaska. Filming bears in this final frontier is a challenge that we take up almost every year in late July. We do this knowing that so many variables will come into play and that the key is always to adapt to what we find and not be prescriptive. No location demands a more fluid schedule than Alaska. The timing of the sockeye salmon run, the depth of the rivers and the behavioural pattern of the big bears are always leading factors when we iterate our plans and then iterate again. But during our week in Katmai, we had a new factor - blue skies and hot bright sunshine - not the weather associated with this part of the world. We recognised that this would limit our filming hours to the early morning but being able to land our float plane at dawn, high in Katmai was not a given. In these weather conditions mist often forms on the lake where we land, thus making access to the river and the salmon run impossible. On the first two days of our week we were too early as the bears were late. Then on the first big day, the mist was thick and we were not able to land. The next day we got in and learned from watching the bear activity but didn’t capture anything of note. On the final day, we were all set and had again refined our plan, but all our pilot’s vast experience was called upon to land the plane through the mist at 6 am. The activity on the river, as the soft early morning light broke through the mist, was as spectacular as anything I have been lucky enough to witness in recent years. There was no point counting the bears as we would lose that count. Our slightly contentious view, after 10 years coming up here, is that the best lens with which to film bears is a standard lens. The camera kind of sees what we see and this means that the magnification of telephotos is not available. The vast majority of good bear images have been taken with telephoto lenses and we recognise the merits of shooting from a distance but I prefer my camera to be close. Standard lenses tell a wider story and that is always our goal. This requires the use of remote controls and a great a deal of predicative thinking. It is not exactly a “Hail Mary” approach, but it is low percentage; their default result is to fail. That’s why this moment, at around 6.45 am that morning, was so welcome. We could then go home and have a bath." - David Yarrow Bio: 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 now an internationally acclaimed fine art photographer and Europe’s best selling wildlife photographer. "In my deliberation over the Pirates in the Caribbean project, there were two overriding personal filters. The first was to avoid being formulaic and the second was my sense that it would be commercial suicide to be too earnest. Pirates are mythological figures and whilst what they did was very serious, I was only too aware of the dangers of us taking ourselves too seriously in any revisionist portrayal. We should have fun; just as Disney did with their blockbuster franchise. The pirates we had assembled in Anguilla looked the part and our giant canvas of the pirate boat offered the best context in the background. The key building blocks were in place on this set, we just needed ‘the x factor’. I played with half a dozen ideas to complete the story in the foreground and there was one concept that seemed to stand out - the arriving pirates must have an encounter. Encounters represent a dilemma for still photographers who can’t do “over the shoulder two takes”. We have the one chance and that tends to mean that we lose one face. But I saw how we could use that to our advantage in that anonymity might work if it told a story. Daniela Braga, the Brazilian Victoria’s Secret model and a sweetheart, was on set with us. She is smart, fun loving and she fully embraced the idea I had in mind. I think the photograph works well. As someone wryly said, those pirates who lost an eye must have been cursing themselves."
  • Creator:
    David Yarrow (1966, Scottish)
  • Creation Year:
    2023
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 52 in (132.08 cm)Width: 92 in (233.68 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
  • More Editions & Sizes:
    71 x 114, Edition of 12Price: $30,000
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Chicago, IL
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU388314600482

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It cannot purely be technical camera fluency as that would enfranchise photographers across the globe – many of whom doubtless know their camera guide appendix far better than me. Nikon may have made me an ambassador, but not on the basis of my understanding of page 239 of the manual. Of course an innate sense of compositional balance and unerring focusing ability helps, as does a literacy in the language of light. But again, whilst this may narrow down the field, none of these skills are uncommon. I am always conscious of the fact that in 2016, everyone is a photographer. My firm contention is that the key to taking transcending photographs in the field, is access to great content and this comes from research, perseverance, occasional bouts of bravery and most of all logistical excellence. These variables collectively morph into one goal – “precision’”. Without an obsession with precision, the game is down to luck and luck, by definition, is a leveller. I take issue with those that say wildlife photography is about luck, because as I grow older (and looking in the mirror I see that I have aged a great deal camping in Alaska over the last 10 days), I can reasonably argue that research and logistical excellence tilt the odds in the favour of the applicants. I want to be the best – why settle for anything less in this trade? This is not ego talking, it is natural to be the best you can be. To succeed will not be about me learning about new functions on the camera, it will be through a constancy in my commitment to homework. Alaska is the perfect example of this dynamic. To go on photographic assignment there is much more a test of map work, spontaneity, people skills and quick thinking than it is of photographic prowess per se. To do a good job in this remarkable wilderness requires a respect for logistics – indeed that is what a lead photographer in the true wild must be – a logistics expert. Let’s start with a simple check. Google “Best places to photograph grizzly bears in Alaska” and there will be about 30 options articulated. The favourite places are designed for “weekend warrior” cameramen. Brooks Falls in Katmai for instance is effectively a zoo – with heavy park warden presence and soulless viewing stands. There is no joy for me in a place like this – and I did pop in to seek that confirmation this week. I am better than sitting on a stand with a long lens along with 40 amateurs. Kodiak Island has a huge number of bears, but because big game hunting is legal there, the bears are skittish and sometimes dangerous. Hallo Bay – site of the Disney Film “Bears’” has let the success go to their heads and the bear viewing is overrated, expensive and too accessible. They also regulate far too heavily. I know, I spent two days there last week being told where to sit. That is like asking Liam Gallagher not to swear. 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