During the stint of Mark Carlson’s time with Star Clippers Cruise Line, from 1999 to 2014, as Director of Marketing, I had the sheer honor and privilege of sailing the high seas with the tall ship company.
To say the experience was both enthralling and therapeutic would be a grand understatement.
I don’t exactly remember all the technical particulars of my freelance work with Mark, but it was a combination of both analog and digital photography.
I remember, in those last few years, being on trips and shooting with my beloved Mamiya RZ67. It was a spectacular combination—the high seas and medium-format photography.
My well-known conversion to iPhone photography, in 2011, on the island of Barbados at The Crane Resort, happened, ironically, while I was headed to another Star Clippers adventure.
Here are a few snaps from those early days, when I was cutting my teeth on iPhone photography and making, slowly and surely, that exciting transition from analog to digital to mobile.
Looking at these photos makes me gush.
If there is a bucket list item for photographers reading this, it is this.
The Magic of Tall-Ship Sailing
Star Clippers is a rare breed in the world of cruising, offering an experience that is as much about the journey as the destination. Their fleet of fully-rigged sailing ships—including the Star Clipper, Star Flyer, and Royal Clipper—pays homage to the golden age of sailing, while seamlessly integrating modern comfort and luxury. Unlike traditional cruise ships, these vessels rely on wind power whenever possible, with massive square-rigged sails unfurling against the sky, creating a breathtaking spectacle for anyone on board.
But beyond the aesthetics, tall-ship sailing is an entirely different way to move across the sea. It’s slower, more intimate, more connected to the elements. You feel the rhythm of the ocean in a way you never could on a motor-driven ship. The creak of the rigging, the snap of the sails catching the wind, and the gentle rock of the hull all combine to create a kind of maritime poetry. For a photographer, this is pure magic—constantly shifting light, textures, and compositions that can’t be replicated on land.
A Love Affair with the Sea
For as long as I can remember, I have been drawn to the sea. Maybe it’s the vastness, the unpredictability, or the deep sense of freedom it imparts. Shooting aboard Star Clippers felt like an extension of that connection—a chance to witness and document the boundless beauty of open water, wind-filled sails, and the interplay of light on the ocean’s surface.
There is something undeniably poetic about sailing and photography coming together. Both are about motion and stillness, about waiting for the perfect moment while being carried forward by forces beyond your control. To stand at the bow of a tall ship, camera in hand, with nothing but water stretching out to the horizon—it’s a feeling I wish every photographer could experience at least once.
Click.
Jack.
