Stab Magazine | Photolyfe: Al Mackinnon

Watch: Episode 1 of the Surf100 Challenger Series presented by Pacifico

800 Views

Photolyfe: Al Mackinnon

Welcome to PhotoLyfe, in which Stab’s favourite photographers answer questions about themselves with their own images. It’s that old picture-tells-a-thousand-words chestnut but with more colour and pop. It’s a way to cut out all the bullshit. It’s like jacking into the main vein of those who supply us with exquisite surf imagery every day. Give thanks by studying each image with a more careful eye than ever! “Scotland, Ireland, England and a few other places, sometimes balmy, mostly chilly,” says Al Mackinnon about the locations of his life and photography. “Temperature doesn’t matter, but wave quality and sparse population do. Lineups, tubes and power surfing come first. Film or digital, doesn’t matter, I just want to create and capture my surroundings.” Al then signs off with an Ashleigh Brilliant quote: “My life has a superb cast, I just can’t figure out the plot.” Get at Al’s site here, FB here and IG here. 1. Describe yourself   2. Where are you from?   3. What got you into photography?   4. Where do you wish you were right now?   5. What inspires you?   6. Who’s your favourite person to photograph?   7. What makes the best photograph?   8. What’s your favourite weapon?   9. Describe your mood right now.   10. What else should we know about you?

style // Mar 8, 2016
Words by stab
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Welcome to PhotoLyfe, in which Stab’s favourite photographers answer questions about themselves with their own images. It’s that old picture-tells-a-thousand-words chestnut but with more colour and pop. It’s a way to cut out all the bullshit. It’s like jacking into the main vein of those who supply us with exquisite surf imagery every day. Give thanks by studying each image with a more careful eye than ever!

“Scotland, Ireland, England and a few other places, sometimes balmy, mostly chilly,” says Al Mackinnon about the locations of his life and photography. “Temperature doesn’t matter, but wave quality and sparse population do. Lineups, tubes and power surfing come first. Film or digital, doesn’t matter, I just want to create and capture my surroundings.” Al then signs off with an Ashleigh Brilliant quote: “My life has a superb cast, I just can’t figure out the plot.”

Get at Al’s site here, FB here and IG here.

1. Describe yourself

NORCAL_DAWN_FOG_38F8935

 

2. Where are you from?

LONDON-TOWN_I8L9139

 

3. What got you into photography?

LIGHTBOX_TRANNIES_IMG_9795

 

4. Where do you wish you were right now?

LOOKING-OUT_ISLANDS_SO-GLASSY_MG_2955

 

5. What inspires you?

SLAB-OF-SCOTLAND_AC_4825

 

6. Who’s your favourite person to photograph?

AL-MACKINNON_GREG-LONG_DUNGEONS_THE-ONE_AC_5888

 

7. What makes the best photograph?

PATAGONIA_STORM-LIGHT_I8L9486

 

8. What’s your favourite weapon?

CAMP_DAWN-FROST_OUTER-ISLANDS_38F0273

 

9. Describe your mood right now.

MULLAGHMORE_STORM_MACK9200

 

10. What else should we know about you?

AL-MACKINNON_SYNCRO_SNOW_8-BIT_I8L7174

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

A One-Legged Italo Is Still Better Than Most Of The CT

Ramzi and Crosby fall to the Wounded Wario and Finals Day is decided.

Jun 11, 2026

Want To Win One Of Ethan Ewing’s Stab In The Dark Boards?

We’re giving away all 12 boards to our Stab Premium members.

Jun 10, 2026

Watch Rán: A Scandinavian Surfing Saga

"I've made a lot of short films. This is the only one I'd call perfect."…

Jun 9, 2026

“Gabe Morvil Is The Best Surfer No One’s Heard Of” — Dane Reynolds

Former drops DEFECTIVE UNITS // VOL #3, starring Timo Simmers and a Wilmington sparky.

Jun 9, 2026

Op-Ed: I’ve Surfed 27 Wavepools Around The World — These Ones Are Worth The Money

An unbiased, unaffiliated reporter shares his findings.

Jun 8, 2026

Punta Roca Calls The Forecast’s Bluff

Simmers sizzles, Riss Moore launches heat-saving air rev in the dying seconds.

Jun 8, 2026

Ethan Ewing & Dane Reynolds Discuss The Best Surfboard On The Planet | StabMic Ep. 17

“I’d still rather watch Occy or Bobby surf J-Bay than some of the tour surfers.”

Jun 7, 2026

Board Dramas And Upsets Abound As Griffin & Filipe Lose Early

Meanwhile Gabby, Yago, and a hobbling Italo forge on.

Jun 6, 2026

Drug Tests, Dust Ups, And Steph & Ethan Fall Early At Punta Roca

Day one, from the rocks.

Jun 6, 2026

Recent Call List: Shaper 22, Shaper 02. Choose One.

A messy little confession about shaper honesty, backroom deals, and the six-month window Hayden Cox…

Jun 5, 2026

A Learner Surfer Might’ve Spelled An Early End To Italo’s El Salvador Campaign

World No. 1 injured by rogue logger, and a mystery wildcard emerges...

Jun 4, 2026

2026 Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico, Episode 01

Challenge 1: Our eight surfers play capture the flag at Blacks Beach.

Jun 4, 2026

“This Feels Like Something Worth Happening In Surfing”

RAGE and Former clasp hands.

Jun 4, 2026

Shane Stedman: Father, Shaper, Ugg Boot Impresario Kicks Out At 85

In memory of one of the great Australian chancers.

Jun 3, 2026

Jordy’s Out, Swell Is In, And Punta Roca Sets The Stove To Boil

A 2026 Surf City El Salvador Pro preview.

Jun 3, 2026

And The Winner Of Stab In The Dark With Ethan Ewing Is…

The man you least expected. 

Jun 1, 2026

Who Makes The Best Boardshorts In The World?

We've got the data.

Jun 1, 2026

Goofies Rule The Rankings, While The World’s Best Surfer Sits In 10th Place

What have we learned from the first third of the tour?

May 30, 2026
Advertisement