Capture the world with Stefano Ferro of Mel 365

 

Mel 365The next WSGT Travel Influencer is Stefano Ferro of Mel 365, a blog dedicated to travel stories, photography tips and travel cameras reviews.

1.)Where was the first place that you traveled that made you think WOW—travel is amazing (think history book come to life or …..)

That was probably my motorbike trip to Europe. I started visiting the North of Italy and I rode to France with the idea to finish my trip in Barcelona. But I was too excited to stop. So I decided to drive South to Gibraltar and, just because Morocco was on the other side, why not trying to go to Africa. On the way back I drove through Portugal and the Basque County with a visit to Andorra. The freedom to stop wherever, just a tend and a sleeping bag. Originally it was a 3 week trip….it lasted much longer than that! That’s when I definitely got the travel bug. 

2.)If you had unlimited resources, where would you go and what would you do?

Interesting question. I actually never thought that the financial resources should limit me from travelling somewhere. I could always downscale, or upscale, when needed. 

But indeed, there are few trips that surely need quite a budget. Antarctica comes to my mind. Mount Everest is another one. I was born in the mountains and I do love trekking and climbing… sooner or later I will do it 🙂

3.)What were you afraid to do and how did you find the courage to overcome it?

I am Acrophobic, or fear of heights, I definitely can feel it in my legs. In saying that I love to take myself away from the comfort zone and I decided to do some skydiving, a real course beside a jump from 3000m. I was as scared as ever but so proud of myself as well. I love adrenaline and I definitely had lots of it which helped my courage to step into the first airplane.

Mel 365

4.)What apps do you use regularly that make your life easier?

MAPS.ME is one my favourite. Nowadays you can download with Google Maps an area that can be used off-line however with MAPS.ME you can download a country, which is great. Moreover MAPS.ME has more info, useful for trekking and walks. Last time I was trekking in Reunion Island I was literally amazed by the details provided in the map.

Suncalc is another must for my travel photography. It gives all the info you need about sunset, sunrise and astrophotography locations.

Snapseed to edit my photos on the go. I do not believe there is anything else like this app. Just awesome

You can find on this page all my favourite Travel Photography Apps I have been built and updating since 2015

5.)What place do you wish more people have seen?

The Aussie outback. Most of the travellers that come to Australia visit the main cities and sometimes the coast and few islands. Only a few venture inside this lovely country. I was lucky enough I did that few times by car and once by bicycle, over 2000km in the desert. Meeting some unique people along the route.

Sure Sydney or Melbourne are beautiful cities however the outback is the real Australia.

Mel 365

6.)Best advice you have been given and by whom?

Two years ago I joined a long charity ride, cycling 4,000km in 25 days, or around 180km/day. I was together with another 12-15 riders. It was tough sometimes, you know I mean the body is very tired, it’s raining and cold etc. In the group there was a famous sailing skipper and I asked him how does it cope with the pain. He said “Just think you are sailing in the middle of the storm, you can’t stop or take a break, you can’t give up, you need to keep working and suffer till the end of the storm, as long as needed.”

That’s how I take my life, there are few storms, sometime more frequently than anticipated, but I would never give up because there will be sunny days ahead of me. That long ride changed my life quite a bit I must admit.

7.)When were you surprised by the kindness of strangers on a trip?

That was probably in the last trip in Indonesia. I love doing photos, it’s my passion, it’s my life. Street photography is part of my travel photography. Indonesia was super easy-going, people were always open to talk, have a laugh, no worries for taking photos. Definitely a great experience.

Mel 365

8.)What inspired you to travel for extended periods of time or live in a new country?

I left my mother country 20 years ago and lived here and there. Now I have a new mother country. And I would not exclude that I will move again.

Why do I move so much? Probably because I am a bit of a slow traveller. I like to live the country. I am not really a fan of the tapas trip, although sometime, due to limited time, I do it as well.

I also like to challenge myself with a new place, a new language, a new job sometimes, etc. I don’t like to have a life which is too much predictable. 

9.)I travel because….

I really think it’s a bug. I love to explore new countries, talk with different people, experience new food, feeling all different around me. I also travel for new adventures, new action and hopefully, sooner or later, I will make it to the Everest, maybe with limited resources though 😀

Stef recommends: My recommendation about better travel photography have to go to the  Lectures on Digital Photography by Marc Levoy. This is a course that Marc used to teach at Stanford University till 2014 and this year, slightly adapted, has been taught in Google and made publicly available. Sometime it can be too technical and mathematical, however you will be stunned by the amazing things you will learn overall.

A blog I would suggest everyone to read and watch is Roads and Kingdoms. A bit travel photography, a bit photo journalism, basically a travel photo journalism blog. The way the website is organised is just awesome with post including full screen photos. A pleasure to scroll through the images, read the story and enjoy the experience.

Mel 365

Stef blogs at MEL365 about travel stories, photography tips and travel cameras reviews. His guides on Travel photography teach all you need to improve you photography when you travel.

Keep up-to-date with Stef through his:

Website 

Instagram

Twitter 

Facebook

Our next Travel Influencer interview will be up in a week, follow the series here.

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Caitlyn O'Brien

Caitlyn is a 26-year-old Canadian with a passion for travel, futbol, and more recently kayaking in her new Patagonian home: Futaleufú. She teaches English at a local school and loves turning her daily experiences into stories.

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