We had the chance to ask Fast a few questions about his fascinating experience photographing polar bears.
What do you love about photographing polar bears?
Polar bears have always been one of the North’s most iconic animals.
Besides being arguably the largest carnivore on earth, they are also one of the most adorable.
Their demeanor is mostly calm and inquisitive.
It’s hard to imagine as they approach that they could actually be planning to harm you!
However, it’s not just their colour that makes them a favourite target of my camera.
They have a slow, ambling gait as they drift about looking for anything that moves.
They are so ingrained in people’s minds that you might think the North experiences only winter.
It’s true that the winters are long and harsh, sometimes even for a polar bear.
Imagine, then, how it feels for the photographer trying to cope in their environment!
Frostbite is a constant concern, as is hypothermia.
So you might think that photographing them in the summer or fall would be a walk in the park.
But that’s not always true, either.
Mosquitos, black flies, horse flies, and deer flies all want your blood!
They not only pester you relentlessly but they do the same to your subjects.
The result is restless, twitching animals that are often unsightly with bugs when you want a close-up shot.
How do you capture such personal, playful portraits of polar bears up close?
I must say it is a real joy to see a polar bear in my viewfinder.
It is amazing to spend quality time with my favourite animal.
And quality time means spending a lot of time with the bears.
Polar bears will play with anything in their environment.
Perhaps he viewed it as an appetizer.
It would be a shame to lose something as iconic as the polar bear.
Dennis Fast:Website
My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by Dennis Fast.
