Exploring the world through the lens: An interview with James Cliburn

Thank you so much, James, for this opportunity to learn more about your work and the person behind your inspiring photographs. To start, could you give our readers a brief introduction to yourself?
Hi, I’m James! I’m based in the Fraser Valley, British Columbia, where I have spent a decent chunk of my life. I have also lived in a few places around the world which I feel fortunate to have done. Including Hawaii, England and Gabon. I spend a lot of my time outdoors, usually with my camera in hand. My goal is to eventually live a nomadic life just documenting life as I move along. I am also a huge football fan and have supported Arsenal FC for many years.

Which came first, your passion for the world of photography or your interest in exploring the world?
It’s hard to say which came first—they both developed naturally without much intentional thought. I’ve always been a visual learner and, as a child, I loved flipping through photo books and National Geographic magazines to see the world through different lenses. I was fortunate to travel a lot during my younger years, thanks to my parents. We took road trips around BC and down to California, and in my teenage years, we even lived in Gabon, Africa for a while. These travel experiences made me want to never stop travelling and seeing new places.

I often had a cheap camera with me, casually documenting my journeys without much focus. It wasn’t until I moved out on my own that I realized just how important both photography and travel had become to me. So, I suppose they grew together, shaped by the experiences and circumstances of my life.

Among the trips you’ve taken recently, whether abroad or within your beautiful British Columbia, are there any places you’d like to highlight? And is there one in particular that you’d definitely like to return to one day?
That’s a tough one. People always love seeing my photos and hearing about my trips around British Columbia, but since it’s home for me, I’m often looking to explore beyond it. BC has so many spectacular places, like the Rocky Mountains and Vancouver Island—spots everyone should visit if they have the chance. But for me, the United Kingdom is a place I’d really like to highlight. I absolutely love it there.

Scotland is my favorite country to visit, and Edinburgh is my favorite city (so far). I’m drawn to the landscapes, the architecture, and the people. The English coast is also special to me, particularly the South Coast with the stunning white cliffs. One day, I’d love to walk around the entire coast of Great Britain—that’s a big goal of mine.

Travel and a camera have always been the perfect match, and for many people, they’re absolutely inseparable. When preparing your backpack for a trip, do you tend to favour a digital or an analogue setup, or does it depend on the destination and your mood at the time?
I almost always have my Fujifilm digital camera with me, whether it’s for a trip or just while running errands. When I’m preparing for a trip, my digital camera is the first thing I make sure is ready. As for my analog setup, it depends more on the destination. If it’s a local hike I’ve done a few times, I usually leave the analog gear at home.

I used to pack both my digital and analog setups for every outing, but with the rising cost of film, that’s changed. Since I don’t have the space to develop film myself, I’ve become more selective about when I use my analog camera.

Which cameras are you currently using, whether digital or film?
My digital setup is the Fujifilm X-T3, which I’m a big fan of, and I usually pair it with the 23mm or 35mm f2 prime lenses. For my analog setup, I switch between a Pentax MX and a Canon EOS 3. They’re very different cameras, but both are excellent in their own way. The one I use depends on the situation. I tend to bring the Pentax MX when I’m hiking, as it’s a compact and lightweight option.

As we scrolled through your Instagram feed, something genuinely remarkable stood out—the impressive consistency of your portfolio over the years. Even more extraordinary is that it includes both film and digital photographs. We particularly want to highlight your excellent post-processing work on the digital files, perfectly matching the look of your film images. While this could technically be done with any camera brand, did your analogue background influence your decision to choose the Fuji X camera system?
First off, thank you for noticing that! I do try to make my digital and analog photos look as similar as possible. Since I’m colorblind, I owe some of the credit to my partner, who often helps correct my color edits as she walks by while I’m working.

As for whether my analog background influenced my choice of Fujifilm—absolutely. When I first started, analog was the only option, so it naturally shaped my preferences. Fujifilm stood out to me for several reasons: the quality of the sensor, the beautiful design, but also the manual controls and dials. I just really enjoy doing everything manually. Even if I switch brands someday, I’ll likely keep a Fujifilm camera for my personal use.

We couldn’t miss the opportunity to talk about Stade Magazine! Could you tell us how it all started, what it’s about, who the target audience is, and, of course, where our readers can acquire it?
Of course, I’m happy to talk a little about Stade Magazine. It really grew out of my love for meeting people, traveling, and my passion for independent magazines. I collect them—probably too many, but never enough, if that makes sense—and eventually, I reached a point where I decided to create my own.

We’re living in a time where you can really create whatever you want—all the tools and programs are out there; you just have to dive in and do it. I don’t have a specific target audience, per se. The goal was to build a community where people could connect through shared passions like travel and photography, and showcase their work. Through Stade Mag, I’ve met so many amazing people, both online and in person.

I also wanted to include a print element because I love that creative process. To sum it up, Stade Magazine is about people, the pursuits we’re passionate about, and the places we travel. Right now, you can get Stade Magazine through our website, stademagazine.com.