Alexander James is one of Barbados’ most prodigious visual artists whose preferred mediums of expression are photography and videography. James is a humble and unassuming character, who never feels the need to be obnoxious. He is silently confident and knows the value he adds behind the camera, always preferring to let his work speak for itself. James was a part of the team that was awarded “Video Of The Year” in 2019 at the People’s Choice Awards in Barbados for their work on the Krisirie classic, “Long Time Love“. He has cemented himself as one the most versatile visual artists in BIM and is indeed a dangerous shooter with a camera in his hand.
Despite there being a close-knit relationship between the crafts of videography and photography, there are distinct nuances between the two that make them different. Evidenced in the pristine aesthetics of his work in both disciplines, James has an unassailable command of each. James’ love and appreciation of art stem from the fact that both his parents are avid lovers of Soul and classic R&B music. Absorbing such timeless musical selections from his youth gave James the temperament of an old soul and the demeanor of an art monk. We caught up with the man of few words and many actions for a chat about his creative journey thus far.
CARIB VOXX: What was the first camera you ever owned, and how were you able to acquire it?
Alexander: “It was a Nikon L110 that I was gifted from my uncle in 2011.”
CARIB VOXX: Did you start off in photography or in videography? Were you into any other forms of creative expression before you picked up the camera?
Alexander: “I started off in photography. I always loved art, and photography was an extension of that. I always used to love sketching countries around the world when I was in primary school. When I got to secondary school, I did geography which was fueled by my love for sketching maps. I guess that’s why I love capturing landscapes and clouds more than anything.”
CARIB VOXX: Despite there being similarities between the two crafts, what are some of the fundamental differences in the execution of photography projects as opposed to videography projects?
Alexander: “No one craft is easier than the other and that is a fact. You have to have patience with both photography and videography. The emphasis in both crafts is about being aware of how you frame the shot while recording.”
CARIB VOXX: Your work in photography and videography has brought you all over the world. Tell us about some the most intriguing places you’ve been to.
Alexander: “Austria is one of my favorite places of all time. I was mesmerized by the beauty of the mountain range and lakes there. I love Taiwan as well. It is like a second home for me; I felt very connected to the culture – especially to the cuisine. One of the downsides of traveling sometimes is that you don’t get enough time to experience the culture, so I’d love to return to Japan to see Mt. Fuji.”
CARIB VOXX: Tell us one of the biggest culture shocks you’ve experienced while traveling and working overseas.
Alexander: “This was a funny one for me. We were shooting in South Korea and I had gone out to dinner. In Korean culture, when someone older than you offers you a shot/drink, you must drink it with them. It’s a sign of disrespect if you don’t. I always try to be a respectful person, so you can imagine how I was the next day.”
CARIB VOXX: One of your most frequent collaborators is the incomparable DJ Puffy. He is extolled by his peers for his incredible technical ability as a DJ, but can tell us something about his character that would surprise a lot of people?
Alexander: “I don’t know if anything I say can surprise anyone at this point. He’s transparent on social media with his followers, to the point where you could almost feel like you know him. I must say though that he is a thoughtful person, and he always makes sure everyone around him is covered. As his photographer and friend, he makes sure I am well situated.”
CARIB VOXX: Tell us about any upcoming photo series or video projects that you may be working on to have released soon.
Alexander: “I’ve started doing prints for my photography this year, which is something new for me. I’ve also had time to collaborate a lot more. I have some new content coming up with a couple of my friends like Krisirie, Tiyesha Martin, Haleek Maul & more so keep a look out for these projects by connecting with me on social media (Instagram – @alxdrjames).”
