Stab Magazine | Photolyfe: Al Mackinnon

Watch: Episode 2 of the Surf100 Challenger Series presented by Pacifico

815 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

How Not To Start A Surf Brand, With Craig Anderson & Dane Reynolds | StabMic Ep. 19

“There were just so many times when we could’ve quit.”

Jun 22, 2026

In Rio There Are No Favourites

Yellow jerseys fall, world champs bow out, and rookies continue their charge toward Finals Day.

Jun 20, 2026

Can A CT Veteran Fix My Dogshit Roundhouse?

Why adult surf improvement is embarrassing, slow, humbling, and probably worth it.

Jun 20, 2026

13 World Titles Fall In Saquarema

A backwashy bloodbath at Itaúna.

Jun 19, 2026

How Surfers Get Paid: Where Have We Been?

A new episode is coming. Here's a refresher on our 15 prior shakes of the…

Jun 18, 2026

Can An Economist’s World Cup Equation Predict Who’s Winning Saquarema?

A Vivo Rio Pro preview.

Jun 17, 2026

A 28-Year-Old Roman On Winning His First CT Event

The Stab Interview with Leonardo Fioravanti.

Jun 16, 2026

2026 Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico, Episode 02

Our first 100-point ride goes down at wedgy Oceanside Pier. 

Jun 15, 2026

Former Takes The Gloves Off, Drops First Proper Surf Team Film 

“Defect” makes its world premiere in Ventura with 1,000 beers, giveaways and a derby car.

Jun 15, 2026

Dane Reynolds Discusses The Biggest Regrets Of His Surfing Career | StabMic Ep. 18

The lost pilot episode.

Jun 15, 2026

Carissa Moore and Leonardo Fioravanti Collect Contrasting Wins At The 2026 Surf City El Salvador Pro

And despite his runner-up finish, Italo defies all odds.

Jun 14, 2026

Tom Lowe Would Go

From consecutive near-fatal wipeouts to paddling the wave of a lifetime at Mullaghmore.

Jun 13, 2026

Godzilla El Niño… Fact Or Fear-Mongering?

Is it really going to be the end of the world?

Jun 12, 2026

Watch: Ritualistic Tendencies, A Heavyweight Film Of The Year Contender

The eyewear cult releases their first team feature film.

Jun 11, 2026

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
Advertisement