After just a few short days the leaves have taken on a much more autumnal hue. The days are colder and near to freezing at sunrise. Lots of empty acorn cupules lying on the forest floor but no acorns so let’s hope they are all squirrelled away (literally) for the winter. The erosion of the rocks has carved out some beautiful forms and today we noticed some long strata of quartz stretching across the river.
Another lovely day out in the company of Niall and Joe.
Dunkeld, Scotland.
An early morning visit to the river Braan reveals the subtle change in hue and tone across the forest as Autumn creeps in.
The sunlight in the river valley is just beautiful. Areas of darkness punctuated by shafts of light that light up the leaves like lanterns of green and yellow.
It’s a bit too much work to write up all the camera settings etc but if anyone is interested to know I would be happy to message you back.
Once again a big thanks to Manoj for the company and the chat.
Loch Chon Rain and Reeds
Camera work: Canon 5D3 with a 17-40L at 17mm, 0.4″@f/16, ISO 100.
Conditions: Moderate breeze. Heavy rain.
Out at Loch Chon in the Trossachs area near Aberfoyle for sun up today. Thanks Manoj for the company and your patience in the face of being soaked to the skin to get a photograph.
It rained heavily and incessantly for hours and hours. I love these conditions. It’s challenging but pays off with the beautifully muted colours and the separation the rain creates between the Island in the middle of the loch and the forest behind.
At this point I dropped my camera into the loch and my morning’s work came to an abrupt end. Had to happen someday. This is the danger of working with a tripod in the rain while up to your knees in water. I must buy one of those fancy camera bags that allow access to camera without having to juggle on open sack on your knees. My apologies to everyone I previously told that such bags were a gimmick. Consider me bitten in the bum.
Pittenweem Harbour
A grey but fun day exploring the East Neuk of Fife again.I wanted to go back and reshoot this little beacon at Pittenweem with a long exposure. I like the composition but will need to go back to try again with better light and weather. Once again I was so focused on the camera that I didn’t even notice the seal poking around until I looked at the images on the computer at home.
Loch Clair
Loch Clair on a mid summer sunrise. We must have been bonkers. Sleeping in the car to get eaten alive by midge to get a photo. Missing the place though and looking forward to a return.
Pittenweem Blues
I like Pittenweem. I was minding my own business getting interested in all the shades of blue and the little lighthouse. Messed up my filters by putting the 6 stop ND filter in the second slot of the filter holder instead of the first one. Getting grumpy. Then I notice a bunch of folk, perhaps 20 trekking up the narrow pier behind me. Now I am surrounded. Flash mob? Out comes the boom box playing Trad Scots Music and they all start doing the Canadian Barn Dance or similar. Awkward. Do I carry on like nothing is going on or watch, perhaps join in? I do like Pittenweem.
The scourge of digital photography is the “costlessness”of pressing the shutter release. Excuse the invention of a new word for this. This is a case in point. I took about 10 images of the same scene. I like them all. They are all my babies. Then I have to pick a favourite. Film was easier (…is easier if you’re Bruce Percy…) I guess as you had a single chance and that was it. Perhaps film was harder as you had to be sure of your intention and timing. After much pacing around and squinting at the 10 this was the one that won out… For today.
For the large version please click on the image in gallery page 2.
Stormy Beach, Isle of Harris
I was delighted that my image of cows having fun on the beach at Laig Bay, Isle of Eigg, has been selected as the seascape category winner in this years SLPOTY competition. It’s the first time I have entered a competition like this for a few years and I am thrilled that this image was appreciated in this way. I understand from the administrator of the competition that there is a blind judging process (to avoid bias towards photographers with an established reputation) with a few hurdles to cross before the winning image is awarded. I am humbled to see so many photographers I already admire on the commended list and the portfolios of images by the overall winner and runner up are just stunning. Check out SLPOTY.co.uk.
For a larger version see gallery page 1.
Cows at Laig Bay, Isle of Eigg
Loch Chon, Trossachs, Scotland.
On most days this stand of trees is hard to make out against the conifers on the hill behind. One of the great benefits of the Scottish weather is the frequency of mist and rain that throws a soft blanket over the distant forest making the whole scene “pop”. Nature’s own Photoshop.
Tech: camera 5DMk2, Lens: 20-200L at 150mm, ISO100, 1/10 sec at f/8.
Buachaille Etive Mor at Sunrise Mid-Summer
Summer morning on Rannoch Moor, Scotland. Captured about 8am. Last shot before I packed up to go home. 15 minutes later the low clouds had dispersed. I still don’t really understand how the mountains stimulate these micro-climates into being. Must add that to my reading list!
wytchwood 