Inspiration from Utah.

Apologies for the pause – I’ve been busy with various projects whilst preparing myself for a significant changes in my personal and professional life later this year. It’s all very exciting. When the time comes, you’ll see more evidence of the new direction right here.

Eons ago I dabbled in photography. I owned a cheap SLR, printed my images in the school lab, even developed my own film. After graduating I was hired by an aerial photography and mapping company  where I  was responsible for first-run contact prints. My manager hailed from the UK, where previously he earned his keep as a police forensics photographer. Tony was a gifted mentor and possessor of a dry, rapier-sharp wit, setting a high benchmark for all future leaders. He taught me a great deal about photography, without ever really needing to. Some people simply enjoy the sharing of knowledge.

At some point, for reasons I can’t reliably recall, my interest waned to the point where there were entire undocumented chapters of my life – at least from a photographic perspective. When I think back to those times,  it’s clear I missed a cyclopean opportunity to capitalise on my location. I lived in Tokyo and Hong Kong for nigh on 8 years, and the only visual proof is a meagre collection of happy snaps. Almost criminal.

Digital photography changed all that, though I didn’t introduce myself to the world of DSLRs until recently. The epiphany came when I discovered by chance the impressive videography of Devin Graham on YouTube.  I hadn’t realised that cinematic quality video, once the preserve of professional studios, had trickled down to the man-in-the-street in such a dramatic fashion. Here was a young bloke from Utah, his bag of tricks comprising nothing more than a decent DSLR, a few not outrageously expensive accessories, some mainstream editing software,  turning out stunning cinematic hi-def video worthy of Sam Brown. From relative obscurity only months before, his YouTube channels were enjoying the viral adulation of millions globally.

It ocurred to me, for the price of two weeks as an IT wage slave, I could be doing the same – the caveat being I’d only have to muster up the same level of talent – and YouTube channel stardom was mine.

Well, that’s the dream anyway, and there’s nowt wrong with that. I’m hurting no one.  I’ve already got the camera (Thank You Shannon!!), and a short hi-def video of my last camping trip is available to friends and family. I won’t be posting that or  anything else here until I feel the end product is ready for prime-time. Until then, behold the works of the guy I credit with re-igniting a passion: