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I’ve been working on a much more refined image development workflow.

I have a precise idea in my head of how I want my images to display, and it takes a lot of work to get it right.

Its almost like a secret, how I finally got these images correct. It involves creating layers applying a special filter, and then editing whats under the filter,

Backwards steps to perfect the image. Counterintuitive, but Its the first time I felt I’ve got it exactly right.

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The Image coming off the camera is a very flat, lifeless thing.

The idea is to develop the flat image to the point that it bursts with energy and life, and gives the same emotional impression I felt at the time of being in that place, taking that image.

It felt like ‘magic moments’ at the time of capturing these images, so its a proper effort to try and instill the magic of the moment into the final images.

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I generally feel really disappointed with all my shots. I think all photographers do.

But, when I produce a collection like this, it tells a little story. There might be one standout form a collection like this, but I also like the variability within a collection, the nuances, and the way the B grade images support the leading images in a collection.

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This is a new process for me, and provided a lot more learning steps ready to implement for the next batch i develop.

The exciting this is, I’ve not yet gone out to photograph a place or subject knowing these new development ideas.

I can see how naive i was when i was out shooting, and I kinda need to play a fix up game in post production.

But knowing what I know now, I’ll go out shooting with new enthusiastic eyes.

And as lame as it sounds, I’ll know how to see the magic in front of me.

I’ll know the developmental potential in a scene, in a way I’ve know been able to see it in the past.

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These images are MEGE processed.

There is so much processing potential with the hasselblad cameras, its extremely satisfying.

But, when shown to friends for feedback they couldn’t tell that the images had filters applied.

So thats a win.

And I’m pretty satisfied with this collection.

Alex James

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don’t forget the selfies… 💪

Hats are the sign of a committed photographer.

A rare overcast day on the top of island Hvar

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So I bought a journal, a guided journal thats asked me; Whats my goal? Summarise three things you want to achieve.

I know I want to be a photographer, and adventurer, and i want to have a wide and positive influence on people.

I want to see this beautiful world we live in, and admire it in all its fascinating complexity.

I summarised that I want to be like the Anthony Bourdain of photography. (RIP)

I’ve been on this mission for a couple of years now. This trip up Ben Nevis is an intermediate step in the right direction.

I can see from my camera presentation, my photography and my physique that there is a lot for me to work on.

But it’s within reach to become a youtube/ social media photography personality, with a wide positive influence.

After editing this video, and thinking about all aspects of what I’m delivering here, what I’m trying to put together, I’d grade myself a D.

But the exciting thing is, I can clearly see what it will take to become an A grade photographer, and photography personality

So in this vlog, as mediocre as it is, I’m going to ruminate on the things i have to work on, and how to get them right. This is a journal after all.

Video link here https://youtu.be/knS-1sufdFI

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There is so much more I can do, that I haven’t even started on yet.

Step one, lose 8kgs. The morning of that video I weighted in at 86.5kgs. Its now been 4 weeks since and I’m down in the 82 range. No one wants to watch a chubby, lazy looking slovenly dadbod panting around the world taking photos. Step up the diet discipline, work outs, and proper sleep.

Every video should have 4 good time lapses. Every time I stop for a sit down, a stretch, gear reshuffle I need to set up a gopro for a lapse. When I’m out like this I actually have two gopros with me. The best ever gopro mount is a clip. you can clip two go pros on your bag straps, but with different settings.

I’m shocked to say that this blog was filmed with a gopro 8. Its stable as a rock, great colour, and shockling good audio? Who knew. I also have my sony a7siii which ill bring for future endeavour, but gopro for the win for combinations of timelapses.

Cinematics. I’m talking dramatic drone scenes, shallow shallow depth of field dslr work, Macro videography close ups. I love the essence of these places I get to see. And the essence is the detail, and the big picture. The whole theme of the place as seen from wide done shots, and the texture of the place as seen under the macro micro scope. I admit this takes time, and literally doubles the time of a hike. Butt hats the point, take the time, trial and error shots until you get them right. There hours between stops to dream up your next cinematic sequence, so pay attention to your surrounds.

Every video should have 3/4 cinematics. People love the romance of a story, some drama in presentation, and some exaggeration of the norm of an outdoor walk. I love it. So I’ll indulge it. I don’t know why I feel like I’m indulging myself in a selfish way when I put time into that kind of creativity? Maybe it’s the millennial in me?

The places I seek out are beautiful, the times of day I set out to enjoy these places are beautiful. So show its beauty through my eyes.

Now… why do this?….

The bloody VIBE.

I was thinking about my lack of vibe. What I love about Casey Neistat, Jon Olsson and even athena mellor are their vibes.

I’m blessed blessed blessed to have got the chance to take my life in this direction from such a young age. I need to spread that vibe, A simple good feeling.

I have this heavy burdenous feeling hanging over me that there is so much I’ve yet to ‘get right’ in my production, and coordination of of these expedition videos. I have told myself that once i get this production to a better, more satisfactory level I’ll be happy.

Well i’m almost there, I’m a happy soul, I should let a lot more of that out. I’m ambitious, and I have my work, and an artist is never happy and all that. But, I do love the process, and the variability, and the privilege of time resource and space to explore - that can and will be delivered. Smiles are easily accessed if you take some pressure of yourself. And your smile can change someones day… or life.

Infotainment. Get some facts and include them

Personalities, include more people.

Tones, lets get some luts, and some lightroom looks up in here for some emotional themes.

SFX, i really liked the music in this video, and wasnt as hard as i thought to get a hold of. I’ll add in some sound design to add dimension to the users experience and some theatri-cism to the presentation here.

So overall, as i said this was a D grade delivery. But a lot to learn. Importantly, I see how it’s a stepping stone to a B grade delivery, and then later even better,

I see myself doing this kind of thing for the rest of my life, so the more I get it right early, the more enjoyable the journey will be.

There is so much pleasure to be taken from the trajectory this journey is curving towards.

No one reads these early vlogs, but I’m glad to keep a journal, sort out ideas and feelings in my mind, and chip away at the progress. I’m a horrific typer, I hope it gets better.

:)

Alex James

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top of the uk, touched it, then a group of louts infringed my moment of glory

don’t forget the selfies… 💪

you’d smile too if you saw sun in scotland, in december

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Good news on all fronts here.

This website and blog is coming together well. I have every confidence what this platform will be once its complete.

For years I’ve not been able to create the images and content I’ve waned because I have not had the platform, to tell my stories, showcase my images, and have the e-commerce to sell and ship them

Without these platforms, and without and outlet to sell…whats the point? I have hundred of images to sell that are not yet showcased. And a harrowing story to put it all together that’s not yet been told.

With this site - images can be displayed, and I can share this absurd adventure I’m on. This adventure I love. This absurdity I love.

There are so many interesting things to learn about the story telling process, creation, delivery, optimisation, and work flow.

While this site is under construction I’m putting up some practice posts, and testing some functions, to see how the whole publishing/telling workflow comes together.

So far so good. With every post more insights on how to do better next time.

Good news is that EUROPEAN SUMMER SEASON IS ON! The big revelation was that the croatian yacht tours will be back on full tilt 10 days before we plan to arrive.

Mean’s back in business for me, and means thats my release from 4 months lock down in the cold scotland will be my european home of Hvar. A welcome return to home after our generations most suppressed year in memory.

I’ve used my time brilliantly to find real happiness. Happiness I’ve not know since 2015.

My finances, my weight, my businesses, my infrastructures, are working, reliable and on point. A vision I conjured in 2015 is finally coming true.

A dream is coming true.

And can be reanimated in Croatia 2020. 5 years of struggle later.

Nice to muse away here, no one reads this, yet. Most importantly this is a place to express and vent. And something to do with my excessive energy.

See ya in Croatia, July 16th. For 4 Weeks.

Alex James