Stoke-Ness April '18 Newsletter
Do you feel it? The expectation of spring, green grass, and warm air. It's almost time.
I don't know about you, but April is the time of year where all of my summer plans come to life. Optimistic is the mood.
In this issue, I share an article that will help you travel with no money, a film that has honest to god adventure, and tips to photograph the people in your life without annoying the hell out of them.
It's a good time to be alive. Be stoked,
Isaac
New Places
Last year I spent the entire month of April exploring New Zealand. I can tell you that one month is not nearly enough time and that from my experience, Kaikoura, NZ is a can't miss location.
A few things make this place special. Huge mountains that rise right out of the ocean, a small town on a picturesque peninsula and more sea life than we saw anywhere else in New Zealand. Five months before our visit a massive earthquake hit the area and the roads to drive there took three times as long. It also kept most of the other tourists away and it felt very local. I think the roads are fixed now, but this place will always be on my "must visit list" of New Zealand.
Google Maps Pin
Gear
I spent some time looking for a photo gear backpack that could fit all my gear and still be robust enough to take on all my trips.
What I found was the Poler Stuff Orange Label Camera Backpack. I've had it for over a year and put it through hell. I can't see any visible signs of wear. It is made of Dyneema fabric that is stronger than steel. The shoulder and hip straps are legit, comfortable no matter how far I hike.
I also love the magnetic buckles on the straps I use to carry my tripod. I recommend this bag if you don't have a good photo gear for rugged travel.
Poler Stuff Orange Label Backpack
Who I'm loving on Instagram
@stevenscarcello
I appreciate a new perspective and that's just what you will find on Steven's account. Most of the locations he photographs I have never seen or heard of before. I love the dedication to exploration and new places. When I scroll through my IG feed I always stop on his photos.
Give him a follow here
Music I'm Diggin'
Scream So Loud by Francis and the Lights (Lammer Dance Mix) is an earworm for sure. You will be singing this in the shower and humming it at work. Of course, it's just weird enough to hold my attention.
Give it a spin.
Videos, Movies, and TV
Real adventure films are hard to come by. The kind that inspire you to plan your next outing the moment you stop watching them.
Most "adventure" films these days spend more time showing the "essence" of an adventure but don't accomplish much more than filming rehearsed actions. Phrases like "great cinematography" or "beautiful film" a dead giveaway.
I was excited to find "The Last Hill (until the next one)" on YouTube.
Four friends ride bikes and ski the Eastern Sierra on a trip that is almost attainable to mear mortals. It's FUN and looks like it.
10/10
Watch it here
Reads
So you want to travel the world but don't have any money? You don't have to let that stop you.
This article about hitchhiking has techniques and insights on how to travel the world with around $7 a day. Get out there and do it ya'll.
The World's Best Hitchhiker on the Secrets of His Success
Photo Technique
Working with unpaid friend models.
I have had a few questions lately about how I get my friends and family to let me shoot photos of them. As it turns out a few of you have worn out the patience of your human subjects and get the cold shoulder now.
Here are a few things I do to keep my friends and family happy on the other side of the lens.
- Keep is quick. I don't suggest you rush, but when I'm the subject of a photo I want to feel like you have your stuff together. Don't make me pose while you change lenses or fumble through your settings. Nothing makes a model lose patience like asking if you are done and hearing that you are still setting up. Set up on your own time or you will waste theirs. This leads me to my next tip...
- Communicate. Let the model know where you are at in the process. A few "looking good", "almost there" and "one more" comments help them know when they can stop being your slave and be a human again. The same applies to directing them where and how you want them to pose. Upfront communication rather than a "not like that" after they are already posing will give them more patience.
- Show them the money or in this case the rad photo. If you want folks to be excited about free work then show them the results. I show them the screen on my camera, send them the edited photos, and of course tag/mention them in the captions of the photos I post. This costs nothing and they will love it. I mean who doesn't want a good photo of themselves. Don't share the results and they will groan at your request to model next time.
Finally, as I always say, give value and folks will want to give it back. Make it easy, fun and maybe even buy them dinner and they will like working with you.
Good Luck!
This one is a day late. I'd like to say it was because of Easter, but my travels got in the way this time. I promise I spent just as much time creating it.
I made this email to be able to give you all a bit more than I can on Instagram. None of this is sponsored and I am honored you spend some of your attention reading it. Can you do me a favor and forward it to someone you think would like it? That would mean the world to me.
Be stoked and have a great month,
Isaac
