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Noted wildlife photographer David Yarrow of the United Kingdom is getting clawed, figuratively, a day after his tiger-meets-Packard Plant shoot went awry.
"I'm appalled at the way your have handled this," Detroit photographer Gino Carlini, who came here from Berlin, posts at Yarrow's business page on Facebook.
David Yarrow, shown with Masai tribe members in 2014, says he looks for "harshly beautiful landscapes." Is that why he came here Monday?
One of his self-descriptions says Yarrow, born in Scotland and now living in London, "seeks out some of the world’s most remote and inhospitable places to photograph the wildlife and people that survive amid harshly beautiful landscapes." He means Africa and other exotic locales, obviously. Still, Detroit somehow became a destination as well. We hope it's not because the city seems remote or inhospitable, though we'll take "harshly beautiful."
The 49-year-old visitor's edgy mix of an uncaged adult tiger and the east-side industrial ruin's spray-painted landscape irritates more than a few local commentators.
Objections include animal mistreatment, risk-taking and exploiting Detroit.
Posing an exotic beast at the Packard is just ruin porn with a budget, say social media critics who include Vincent Massimino of Otter Lake, Mich.: "'Artist' shooting photos of exotic animals in 'concrete jungle'/Detroit ruin porn. How original!"
"That is not cool," Andy Didorosi commented Monday after volunteering to help two animal trainers secure the tame tiger as it crouched in a stairwell.
At the London photographer's Facebook page, a post describes the Monday shoot as "this assignment" without saying the client is an advertising agency or brand. The status update from David Yarrow Photography says, in part:
We apologise for any concern or confusion regarding the use of these animals for a photoshoot which we believed to be approved the City of Detroit. At no point were there any animals loose or out of control. . . .
As an avid conservationist, David Yarrow uses his imagery to draw attention for the critical need to protect our wildlife. . . . David's message is to preserve and nurture our precious wildlife for future generations.
Nearly 60 critical comments are posted below that as of late afternoon Tuesday. "This 'apology' compounds the offense," posts Cindi Brody of Beverly Hills, Mich.
This picture was posted Monday afternoon on Facebook by Detroit Bus Company founder Andy Didorosi, who's holding a weed trimmer.
These are among reactions at Yarrow's page and elsewhere:
► "Mastubatory pleasure:" Detroit isn't for you to pimp as a backdrop. Stop using our city for your mastubatory pleasure." -- Denis Alfonso Rochac, Detroit
► "Not toys or props:" Your arrogance is appalling. Animals are not toys or props. -- Kathe Koja, Detroit
► "I'm appalled:" As a published professional photographer, I'm appalled at the way your have handled this! . . . On top of which you used one of the worst animal wranglers in the United States. -- Gino Carlini, Detroit
► Risky, amoral: This was a dangerous, illegal and amoral act. -- Cindi Brody, Beverly Hills
► "Deplorable . . . disgusting:" The transportation and use of any animal for a photo shoot is deplorable. . . . Disgusting! I encourage everyone to boycott and never review, support or purchase any of Yarrow's work.. -- David Blair, Davison, Mich.
► "A disgusting sod:" anyone who works as a wildlife photographer should have a respect for ALL wildlife. They should be the best advocate for, and custodian of ethical and human treatment of animals. David Yarrow appears to be a disgusting sod with very little ethics. -- Ken Settle, Detroit photographer
► "Moron:" Please stay out of my city the next time you decide to bring in wild animals that put everyone at risk. . . . Also, if you cared about the animals well being you would not have put them at risk either. What a moron. -- Beth Beal, Detroit
► "Exploiting animals:" I love your work, but photographing wildlife here in Detroit is absurd. You are exploiting animals! I don't care if you had a permit or not. All this shows is that you don't give a damn about the animals you are photographing. Fraud. -- Christina Boyd, Ferndale
► Not "cool or edgy:" The point of endangered animals in ruined buildings is exactly what? . . . I really hope someone makes that photographer lie in asbestos and broken glass and then made to lick his paws. This infuriates me. It's one thing for people to be rummaging of their own will in toxic sludge. Another thing entirely to drive animals in cages to lounge in debris for a sad attempt at 'art'. Nothing about this is cool or edgy or provocative or even mildly interesting. . . . Not to mention the Not to mention the risk to neighbors and community members. -- Shel Kimen, Detroit [from two posts]
► Where were pro handlers? How do you take a tiger onto a photo set without professional handlers? The safety of the animal should be top of mind. -- Chris Marion, Springfield, Mass.
► Wrong site: Tigers belong in the wild, not in Detroit abandoned auto plants. Some conservationist you are. -- Pete Tidemann, Hopkins, Minn.
► "Tormentor of animals:" You sound more like a tormentor of animals than a conservationist...I am a wildlife photographer and know better than to go dragging around endangered animals in cages to photoshoots for my own glory and $$$$. -- Linda LeNoir, Boston
► "Bad for Detroit:" How does using animals who spend most of their lives in cages or chains help animals in the wild? This is bad for animals and bad for Detroit. -- Rachelle Leah Owen, Los Angeles
► "Where are your ethics?" You have lost all credibility! Where are your ethics?! Are all of your photos luring wildlife into dangerous, inhumane territory?! -- Dawn Wells, New York City
Related coverage:
14 Clever Tweets and Posts About Detroit's Packard Plant Tiger, Agg. 17
