yarrow logo
search icon
SEARCH
close search
mouse scroll icon
SCROLL

The Fisher King

Katmai National Park, Alaska - 2017
Katmai National Park, Alaska

Over the years, I have spent many days working close to grizzlies in Alaska and this is surely my most visually arresting photograph. The intimacy is courtesy of a well-positioned camera and a 28 mm wide angle lens. The bear was big, primeval and menacing, and in this instant, just two feet from the camera.

Moraine Creek is not an easy destination to get to for first light, but that was our preferred schedule. The weather forecast was for unrelenting sunshine, unusual for Alaska, and we had little appetite to work on the river with a high summer sun above us.

We were on site just after dawn and the remote camera was positioned after studying the fishing pattern of the big male bear. I prefer to photograph against the light, but at seven am this is a risky strategy as shooting directly into the sun can jeopardise an otherwise strong image. The route of the river meant that there were no other options at this time, but at least with light behind me, I would have some depth of field.

I was begging the bear to come to the camera and he did exactly that – with a head held high and a face full of energy. I knew that if my maths was right, I had a big image. As soon as the bear was ten yards up river, I ran and grabbed the camera. It was “in the can” – the project was wrapped and we were home for breakfast.


Behind the scenes
Behind the scenes
Behind the scenes

I was begging the bear to come to the camera and he did exactly that – with a head held high and a face full of energy.

David Yarrow
Print sizes

Standard

37" x 45" Unframed

52" x 60 Framed

Edition of 12

Large

56" x 68" Unframed

71" x 83" Framed

Edition of 12

Rocket ManIce AgeFerrariCara CigarLA BabyKung Fu PandaAfter the FloodThe SuperheroThe Girl in the Feathered HatThe Goats of St. MoritzRear View MirrorThe Dallas CowboysThe Texas RangersThe Sheriff's DaughterSin CityThe Break UpBad AssesDawn CommuteThe SiberiansGhost RiderReservoir DogsParts UnknownCapriKemo SabeBearishFunnel CreekOnce Upon a Time in The WestThere Will Be OilFully EngagedRaising ArizonaThe Longhorn SaloonLakotaBear MarketPersons of InterestThe Late ShiftVantage PointCrestaAspen Has FallenThe Happy BearNantucket's Last SupperThe VikingThe WaitThe Fisherman's WifeRussian RouletteCloud NineBonnie and ClydeOilOn the RocksEthereal DuneBlack BeautyHarbin