Renowned British Photographer Captures the Wild West in Black and White
For acclaimed photographer David Yarrow, the magic happens somewhere between skill, patience and luck
“Parts Unknown,” archival pigment print, artist proof 3, 84 x 71 inches (framed). “In the Rockies … a big storm passes through and clears, leaving behind a winter wonderland and kind, gentle light,” says Yarrow. | Photo David Yarrow
Images of bison, bald eagles, horses and bears by renowned British photographer and conservationist David Yarrow are big, bold and shot at eye level with the animals. He has photographed wildlife on nearly every continent and has been a presence in the Western art scene for many years.
“He has done shoots in Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, California and Texas, so his work seemed a natural fit here,” says Kevin Doyle, managing director of Jackson Hole Art Auction, which holds an internationally acclaimed auction during Fall Arts Week and has a gallery about a minute’s walk from the elk antler arches guarding the entrances to Jackson’s Town Square. “David flew out to meet with us at the beginning of the summer, and by the end of summer a dozen of his pieces had arrived in our gallery,” Doyle says.
“Fisher King,” archival pigment print, artist proof 1, 52 x 60 inches (framed). “Over the years, I have spent many days working close to grizzlies in Alaska, and this is surely my most visually arresting photograph,” says Yarrow. | Photo David Yarrow
Gallery sales representative Christina Frey, who (along with Doyle) was instrumental in bringing Yarrow’s photography to Jackson, recalls her first impressions: “The images—perfectly composed and full of action—simply took my breath away.” Two of Yarrow’s images are displayed in the gallery’s large windows. “People come asking, ‘How did he do that?’ and ‘Is that really a photograph?’” she says.
“Quick and the Dead II,” archival pigment print, edition 2 of 12, 52 x 87 inches (framed). “The greatest number of extras I have had during a shoot,” says Yarrow. | Photo David Yarrow
We caught up with Yarrow by telephone—somewhere between continents—and asked him to explain his technique. “You have to go in knowing everything possible and the habits and the habitat of the animal you’re wanting to photograph,” he says. “For example, it is good to know that elephants walk in straight lines when you’re setting up your shot.” It is equally important to have enough patience to wait for the right moment to click the shutter. “It is not so easy to lie still in drifting snow on one of the coldest days of the year … waiting for a bison to get close enough to capture the frost of its breath,” he relates.
“A River Runs Through It,” archival pigment print, edition 6 of 12, 52 x 79 inches (framed). Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, 2021. | Photo David Yarrow
Asked if there’s a line between “getting the shot” and staying safe, Yarrow replies, “Inevitably there are a few moments when things have gone a little bit scary, but we have a team of skilled people with us that ensure our safety— and I’m a father with two kids, so safety matters.”
Known worldwide for his wildlife photography, Yarrow is perhaps less well known for his staged narrative series. These “storytelling” vignettes are a humorous take on the colorful history of the American West. “It is a bit cheeky to stage these shots,” he says, but “the Wild West is a story- book full of characters in a grand landscape.” Yarrow shoots primarily in black-and-white because he finds color distracts from the image’s intensity.
“Horsepower,” archival pigment print, artist proof 3, 52 x 56 inches (framed). “The stallions I worked with on this shoot are magnificent. Front on and in full flight, they are full of muscle and yet at the same time exude elegance,” says Yarrow. | Photo David Yarrow
His go-to camera is a “quick and durable” Nikon, and he travels with multiple lenses for every possible scenario. But, for him, the camera is just a conduit. “It is about your heart and soul,” he says, “and your ability to see and share emotion.”Since 2018, Yarrow’s work has raised over $11 million for philanthropic and conservation organizations. He donated all royalties from his coffee-table Rizzoli book David Yarrow to Tusk Trust and WildArk. “It’s all about giving back more than you take,” he says.
“Downhill Racer,” archival pigment print, edition 5 of 12, 52 x 70 inches (framed). “Jared Goldberg, a member of the U.S. ski team and a resident of Salt Lake City, Utah, is the skier in this image,” says Yarrow. | Photo David Yarrow
As seen in ML’s January/February 2024 Issue
