yarrow logo
search icon
SEARCH
close search
The New Kids on the Block
Narrative
Behind the scenes
Prints
mouse scroll icon
SCROLL

The New Kids on the Block

Arctic Circle, Norway - 2022
Arctic Circle, Norway

I firmly believe that conservationists should lead with a message of hope - not a voice of anger. Hope encourages and energises, whereas anger, especially if it is directed indiscriminately, can say more about the sender of the message than the message itself.

There are good stories to tell in the protection of certain species and I am drawn to imagery focusing on the positives. All those that work so hard in the field to make this planet a better place deserve to be acknowledged, not shouted at.

This moment in time, taken at about 80 degrees north in Svalbard, tells a happy story and is made all the more profound as a result. I have never had the chance to take a photograph like this before; two newly born polar bear cubs travelling in unison with their mum through the very environment that defines them - glacial ice, mountains and snow.

The polar bear population is more resilient than some would perhaps lead us to believe, and whilst it is difficult to prove empirically, the most informed estimates suggest that the population of white bears in the arctic is around double the lion numbers in Africa. The local governments in Greenland, Svalbard and the Canadian arctic are doing a great job defending the species against an unequivocally warming planet.

From a photography perspective, there is not much craft being employed here; I was simply in the right place at the right time. The light was kind, the mother bear looks excellent and there is an emphatic sense of place. There is not much, if anything, that I would change.

It’s always a dilemma with these polar bear stories as to whether to print in monochrome. On this occasion, I think I need the cream of the polar bear and the blue of the glacial ice and that’s why it will be printed in colour.


Behind the scenes

From a photography perspective, there is not much craft being employed here; I was simply in the right place at the right time.

David Yarrow
Print sizes

Standard

35" x 67" Unframed

50" x 82" Framed

Edition of 12

Large

53" x 101" Unframed

68" x 116" Framed

Edition of 12

The Girl in the Feathered HatGhost RiderFunnel CreekVantage PointThe WaitDiamonds in the SkyHot and ColdSnap ShotHigh NoonBarbieHostilesDon't Go Chasing WaterfallsKaktovikThe LandladyMy Baby Takes the Morning TrainBase CampHells KitchenThe Beast of YellowstoneContentmentThe Girl on the TrainSummer of '75The Snow PatrolThe North RemembersThe CallingSomething's BrewingShangri LaEnough is EnoughThere Will be BloodVikingsCode RedThe Power of the DogTennesse WhiskeyYellowstoneHelloTrue NorthHokkaidoSnow MonsterForrest GrumpFrontier TownSwitzerland1992PunkEncroachmentThe GetawayThe Mining TownNo CurrencyLocal HeroSquadThe SnowmanFace OffSt. MoritzRed DeadThe New Kids on the Block80 Degrees NorthDjangoOn the Road AgainFrostbiteThe Manifest DestinyNo Country for Old MenThe BillsMohanWinter's Coming