Well, January flew by. Another year, and we’re still under lockdown here in the UK.

I think everyone’s beginning to feel the strain now. I’m particularly bummed as I’d finally found and finished my backcountry ski touring setup and was looking forward to skiing some couloirs in the Cairngorms this winter.

So I’ve been using my time as productively as I can during lockdown and sorting out those admin tasks all photographers dread, like sorting out a huge back catalogue of images not archived properly :(.

I was stoked to find out from Mountain Equipment I’d won the Exposure Category in their 2021 Winter Photo Competition with the below image of two rookie mountaineers caught in a storm on the Cairngorm Plateau in Scotland. I gave it the working title ‘Welcome to Scotland.’

Further good news from an old climbing pal informed me that the expedition to Kyrgyzstan in late July is still on and we have secured funding from the MEF. A great excuse to start practicing Russian again.

On a final note, I’m going to be sending out these newsletters once a month in addition to writing more on my blog now I’m finally making time. I’d love to know your thoughts.

All the best and stay safe!

Alex

What I’m Reading

I’ve finally begun to explore working with outdoor brands and how to shoot their products in a innovative way, beyond the bog standard bored model smiling languidly into the distance approach.

Que Finn Beales and his book “The Photography Storytelling Workshop.” In it, Finn lays out the planning, production and execution of a shoot told with a strong thematic narrative. Essentially photostory telling with a commercial twist.

This book has literally blown my mind and I’ve been applying the approach to everything I can shoot. Check it out!

Music I’m Diggin’

I just can’t seem to put Steve in a music genre, he spans everything.

This old tune came up on Spotify yesterday, you may like it.

Who I’m following

Hamish Frost is an adventure and mountain sports photographer based in Scotland. He thrives in cold, wet, and challenging conditions, capturing images of athletes pushing their limits in harsh mountain environments particularly in the fields of climbing and skiing.

I’ve long admired Hamish’s work having found him trawling the depths of Instagram for inspiring Scottish Winter climbing imagery.

He’s blown my mind with the possibilities of what to shoot in Scotland and one of my inspirations for moving there.

Check out more on his website here.

Quote I’m Pondering

What I’m Watching

Solving for Z | A Calculus of Risk

How much can we gain from the mountains? How much can we lose?

Between our own perceptions and the reality of the hazards, how much space exists? And in that gap, how do we decide what we are willing to risk?

Solving for Z explores IFMGA guide and father Zahan Billimoria’s relationship to the intoxicating highs and crushing blows of a life in the high-consequence environment of big mountain skiing.

Get creative and have a great month. Lockdown will soon be over.

Alex

This newsletter, my photography and my videos are all free, but not cheap. If you want to help me continue to make things you can buy me virtual coffee.