What Gear and Equipment do you normally use?
In all honestly, I take a lot of shots on my iPhone X when climbing for the convenience it offers.
When weight and space aren’t an issue I shoot on the Olympus OMD EM1 MKIII & EM5 MKIII systems with the following lenses:
M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO - my workhorse
M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm F1.2 PRO - documentary work
M.Zuiko Digital 45mm F1.8 - beautiful prime portrait lens
M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm F2.8 PRO - for astrophotography
M.Zuiko Digital ED 9-18mm F4 - my main lens for long alpine days
M.Zuiko Digital ED 8-25mm F4.0 PRO
M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm F2.8 PRO
Action Cam: GoPro Hero 8
Drone: DJI Mavic Air
Who are your biggest inspirations?
My work is greatly influenced by the climbing and outdoor photographers Chris Burkard, Jimmy Chin, Ben Tibbets and Jonathan Griffiths.
I draw inspiration from Steve McCurry for his portraiture, David H. Wells for photojournalism and Art Wolfe on seeing the abstract in nature.
There are also classic painters such as Turner and Van Gogh whom I greatly admire.
What Other genres of photography do you shoot?
I really enjoy documenting and shooting the lives of the local people I meet whilst travelling. This approach often incorporates portraiture, story telling and landscape photography.
Having recently bought a drone I am fascinated by the top-down perspective it grants and the incredible abstract art revealed in landscapes.
Do you sell prints?
I do. Please see my store here.
All my prints are fulfilled by the theprintspace. A kick ass photo lab based in Shoreditch, London.
They are the only photo lab in the UK to be certified completely carbon neutral and offset all their emissions.
How did you get started?
It was whilst I lived and travelled abroad, notably in Russia, South-East Asia & Oceania that photography found me.
As I travelled, I found myself happiest in the remotest corners of the world, scrabbling up and falling down mountains and interacting with the local people. I developed an interest in cultural anthropology and would often be invited to stay with indigenous people, who found my stumbling attempts at their language humorous.
The more I learnt about my new friends, the more I wanted to tell their stories; to raise awareness and enable change within a wider audience. The medium of my lens was a fantastic way to transcend all cultural and linguistic barriers; all we had to do was to take a picture and pull a face.
What is your favourite place you've traveled to?
That’s a hard one to answer. I love them all for different reasons. Since you twisted my arm I’ll give you my top five:
Japan - for the culture
Russia - for the space and silence
Indonesia - for the people
Nepal - for the mountains
Malaysian Borneo - for the adventure
What are you currently up to?
I’m currently finishing a documentary I shot of my 2021 expedition to the Tian Shan Mountains in Kyrgyzstan.
I’m also studying for a diploma in News Journalism and working towards becoming a Licentiate (LRPS) of the Royal Photographic Society.
Future Goals or Projects?
Heading to Scotland and the Alps for winter 2021 to build an outdoor adventure portfolio of images and films to work with outdoor and luxury brands.
Don’t see the answer you are looking for?
Drop me a line at alex@alexmetcalfephotography.com with your question.