A shooter’s view of Alaska.

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That’s “shooter” as in photographer, not as in hunter.

This week’s giveaway “Snap Decisions: My 30 Years as an Alaska News Photographer,” is more than just the moose-and-goose-in-the-spruce school of photography.

I do have to say, however, that the moose photo to the left is one of my favorite images ever published in the Anchorage Daily News.

This is no pretty coffee-table book focusing only on scenic vistas and awesome animals. In photographing the news, my former colleague Jim Lavrakas covered some pretty grim stuff: crime, alcoholism and poverty. It’s strong work.

But other pages are breathtaking, the kinds of things that make you want to visit the Last Frontier. The Iditarod photos in particular are wonderful.

Jim’s most famous picture came about quite by accident. It seems some people were putting northern pike into Anchorage waterways, possibly to have themselves some pike fishing later on. Trouble was, the pike were wreaking havoc with the trout-stocking program.

A photo opp in a fish tank (“See how fast a single pike can gobble down a bunch of baby trout!”) resulted in an amazing shot: a pike so stuffed to the gills, so to speak, that it couldn’t quite swallow the last bite:

Ever feel like that little fish? I have.

“Snap Decisions” is signed by the author, and it would make a great holiday gift. Or keep it yourself and see what a professional shooter can do with a camera and a fish.

Speaking of fish: Jim has retired and now runs Skookum Charters in Homer, Alaska. If catching a barn-door halibut or just taking an unforgettable boat tour is on your bucket list, save your frequent-flier miles and give him a call. (Note: I’m not getting paid to say that. I’m just supporting the local economy.)

To enter:

If you do any (or all!) of these things, please leave separate, additional comments to get credit for each entry.

The deadline to enter is 5 p.m. Alaska Daylight Time on Tuesday, Nov. 27. If I don’t hear back from the winner by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28, I’ll have the random number generator select a new winner.

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40 thoughts on “A shooter’s view of Alaska.”

  1. I’m here in Soldotna and it’s a beautiful night. Chilly outside but warm here next to the woodstove. Jim’s book would be perfect to look at while sipping a hot buttered rum. Fingers crossed! 🙂

  7. What an amazing photo of the fish…the chances of catching that shot…impossible to calculate. Would love the book. Hope all is well in “your new/old home” and you had a good holiday….

  11. I remember when I first saw that fish picture, it was so cool! Talk about being in the right place at the right time with the camera!! This would be a great Christmas for younger daughter, who is a budding photographer.

  15. I would like the book! But I am on a budget plan that I cannot buy anything! I follow you here and read Frugal Cool as well!

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