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David Yarrow
The Happy Bear, Alaska by David Yarrow - Contemporary Wildlife Photography

2017

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

About the Item

"The Happy Bear" Katmai National Park, Alaska - 2017 Archival Pigment Print on 315gsm Hahnemühle Photo Rag Baryta Paper Edition Size: 12 Image Size: 56" x 74" Framed Size: 71" x 89" "Action shots like this one take me back to my sports photography days. It is not really an art picture—it’s more reportage—but everything in it kind of works: the backlight, his facial expression, and the sense of power. There is a dynamism to it afforded by my low position and the spray. At this one moment in time, he looks so happy just being a bear. And so he should—the water is bursting with salmon and on this stretch of the creek he is boss. His prime position goes unchallenged and he can eat as much as he likes for as long as he likes—on my watch that worked out to about 30 to 40 salmon a day. I needed to lie in the river to take this image; my camera had to be as close to the water as possible. My waders were invaded at chest level, and I returned to the bank absolutely drenched. But it is part of the job. No photographer should return to the base camp dry and clean after an intense day in the field. I may take this dynamic to uncomfortable levels, but it makes the evening shower and debriefing drink that much more satisfying. This is not a job for precious people. The 30-minute floatplane journey back to the small village of Iliamna from this spot at the junction of Funnel and Moraine Creeks is always quicker than it seems because my team tends to be so shattered that we fall fast asleep. Iliamna has become a bit of a summer retreat for us over the last few years; it is Alaska at its quirkiest best." - David Yarrow
  • Creator:
    David Yarrow (1966, Scottish)
  • Creation Year:
    2017
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 71 in (180.34 cm)Width: 89 in (226.06 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Chicago, IL
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU388315108482

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Funnel Creek by David Yarrow - Grizzly Bear - Alaska - Contemporary Photography
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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 54 inches 67 x 75 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. "What is the key to having an edge in my genre of photograph in 2016? 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. Most of Google’s 30 favourite places, hold no visceral grip on me – they are main-stream and dull. Setting up sensible and practical remote control positions leans me towards remote river banks and the summer salmon runs. Each river has its own unique salmon run and the times not only vary between rivers over a 12 week period, but each river has a different pattern each year. If the salmon run a specific river starts on July 22nd one year, they could run 7 – 10 days either side of it the next year. This requires a need to be spontaneous and be on the ground picking up grass roots detail. “How are the fish running” became my opening gambit the second half of July. I am no fisherman either. Over these last 10 days, I have had one picture in mind – a wide angle remote control shot of a big bear on a river’s edge. Something immersive and very close. But the 2016 season has not been predictable – berries have been plentiful and bears love berries as much as salmon, so traffic in some rivers has been abnormally light. But bush plane by bush plane I narrowed down my focus to an area I knew well – 70 miles south of Illiamut on the Alaskan Peninsula. We deliberately flew very low over Funnel Creek earlier in the week and saw at least six adult bears fishing up river and so we touched down in the tiny village of Illiamut to discuss logistics. Every village in Alaska has a landing strip. The next day, we were dropped off by float plane...
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