For Famed Photographer David Yarrow, “It’s a Pirate’s Life For Me”

Interested in high seas adventures? So too is photographer David Yarrow, who is putting together a pirate-themed photography collection.

Photographer David Yarrow, whose work has been auctioned at Sotheby’s and put on display at prestigious galleries the world over, is now looking to enjoy a pirate’s life. Of course, Yarrow won’t be sailing the high seas, capturing treasure-laden ships, but he will be using his photography skills to capture what a pirate’s life may have looked like.

“One of my major goals as a photographer has been capturing the lives of others,” David Yarrow explains. “From Sudanese herdsmen to Native Americans at the arctic edges of civilization, I’ve been blessed to see just how diverse human lives can be.”

So why are pirates next on the list? It’s perhaps hard to believe, but to this day, pirates still prowl the oceans. Modern-day high seas piracy looks far different from your typical video game or movie chronicling the Golden Age of Pirates. Even from a historical perspective, these fictional works often fail to capture the nuances of the truth.

“I melded history, fiction, and modernity through a Wild West photo collection and aim to do the same next with pirates,” says photographer David Yarrow. “Through photography, we can capture both the real world and imagination too, and that’s what I aim to do with pirates.”

Pirates certainly capture the imagination, perhaps more so than treasure. History tends to glorify the past, but a pirate’s life was typically hard, full of uncertainty, and rich with risk, not just gold and silver.

Photographer David Yarrow Discusses the Importance of Photography

These days, it seems like everyone is a photographer. Most smartphones now come equipped with great cameras that can capture life’s moments. And yet, photography is about more than simply capturing images. What’s vital is preserving moments and documenting history.

“The world is a fast-changing place,” photographer David Yarrow notes. “Think about how different things are today compared to when you were growing up. Through photography, we can capture and record the present, thus offering it to the future.”

The first cameras didn’t appear until the mid-nineteenth century. By then, classical pirates had largely faded away, with the Golden Age of Piracy having wrapped up decades earlier. Through historical recreations, however, it’s possible to preserve and document the past.

Much of David Yarrow’s work focuses on wild animals and their ever-changing natural habitats. This should come as no surprise given that nature itself is rapidly changing. Photographs and video clips today will help preserve the history of nature and its evolution. Capturing historical recreations, meanwhile, helps document the growth of human civilization.

“Photography is both an art and a tool,” David Yarrow argues. “As a photographer, I try to use various angles and lighting methods to not simply capture an image, but instead to instill a moment or event. Whether it’s pirates or parrots, I want to transport my viewers to a specific time and occurrence.”

David Koonar of Windsor Offers 5 Tips for Taking Excellent Photos in the Canadian Winter

Tuesday, February 8, 2022, 1:02 PM

David Koonar of Windsor recently offered his top five tips for taking excellent photos in winter.

WINDSOR, ONTARIO, CANADA / FEB. 8, 2022 / David Koonar of Windsor is no stranger to cold, cloudy Canadian winter. That hasn’t stopped him from taking jaw-dropping photos of his clients, family, and friends during the coldest time of year. 

Koonar is the owner of David Koonar Photography and is considered an expert in the field of visual media. He recently offered his top five tips for taking frame-worthy photos during the wintertime. 

“The No. 1 difficulty with taking photos in winter is the cold because it can damage your gear and deter you from getting outside,” Koonar said. “These tips will help you keep your gear warm and encourage you to get out and snap photos during the winter of 2022, and beyond.”

1. Keep Your Gear Warm and Dry

Koonar emphasized the importance of keeping camera gear warm and dry while taking photographs in winter. He suggested photographers invest in a rain or snow cover for their cameras to reduce the chance of liquid entering the electronics. 

2. Beware of Fog

Fog can be dangerous for a camera’s inner workings. Koonar explained that photographers need to be mindful of their cameras when going inside to warm up. Rushing indoors can cause the lens to fog immediately. Unfortunately, a camera takes much longer to defog. A winter photographer must place the camera in its bag with a lens cover before heading inside.

3. David Koonar of Windsor Explains How to Capture Snow

Many photographers head outside in the winter months to capture the snowfall. This is often easier said than done. 

Koonar suggests using a 200mm lens or higher and shooting at a shallow aperture. A telephoto lens can be even more helpful. The goal is to capture the subject largely and clearly with snowflakes in the foreground and background. That’s how an excellent photographer portrays the magic of snowfall. 

4. Head Out at Sunrise and Sunset

Sunrise and sunset are special times of day during the winter. The sun reflects off the snow creating hues that aren’t found during other times of the day. 

“Sunrise and sunset are especially great times to photograph landscapes,” David Koonar said. “These occurrences are more dramatic during winter.” 

Koonar stated that an advantage of photographing sunrises in winter is that it occurs later than in the summer. In Windsor, the sun rises around 7:30 a.m. or 8 a.m., in winter. That gives photographers plenty of time to have a coffee first. 

5. Stay Warm and Get Out There

David Koonar of Windsor stated that the number one tip for taking photos in winter is to bundle up and get out there.

Windsor can be especially cold during winter, but those who know how to dress can come home with remarkable photos.

He suggested that photographers wear camera-friendly gloves, Gore-tex boots, a hat, and plenty of layers that can be shed and reapplied throughout the day. 

“The magic of winter is out there for all photographers who are there to find it,” Koonar concluded.