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Alex Metcalfe

Adventure & Mountain Sports Photographer
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Notes From the Road


20200206_METCALFE_GBR-SCT_ACC_Trip_Cairngorms_353.jpg

Newsletter • February 2021

Alex Metcalfe February 7, 2021
 

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.’

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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

 
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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’

 
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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

© Hamish Frost

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

“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind. Not with it._ -Henry Ford.jpg

What I’m Watching

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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

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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.

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In Newsletter Tags Newsletter, February, 2021
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Past Posts

Featured
Austrian Alpine Club (UK) 2023 Photography Competition Results
Sep 13, 2023
Austrian Alpine Club (UK) 2023 Photography Competition Results
Sep 13, 2023
Sep 13, 2023
January Talks: Expedition to Tajikistan
Jan 7, 2023
January Talks: Expedition to Tajikistan
Jan 7, 2023
Jan 7, 2023
Expedition to Tajikistan 2022: The Plan
Jun 22, 2022
Expedition to Tajikistan 2022: The Plan
Jun 22, 2022
Jun 22, 2022
Newsletter • March 2022
Mar 31, 2022
Newsletter • March 2022
Mar 31, 2022
Mar 31, 2022
Newsletter • February 2022
Feb 28, 2022
Newsletter • February 2022
Feb 28, 2022
Feb 28, 2022
Newsletter • January 2022
Jan 31, 2022
Newsletter • January 2022
Jan 31, 2022
Jan 31, 2022
Kyrgyzstan Expedition 2021 Trip Report
Dec 12, 2021
Kyrgyzstan Expedition 2021 Trip Report
Dec 12, 2021
Dec 12, 2021
Newsletter • December 2021
Dec 6, 2021
Newsletter • December 2021
Dec 6, 2021
Dec 6, 2021
Newsletter • June 2021
Jul 1, 2021
Newsletter • June 2021
Jul 1, 2021
Jul 1, 2021
First Front Cover With the OWPG
Jun 11, 2021
First Front Cover With the OWPG
Jun 11, 2021
Jun 11, 2021

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