The Impossible Shot?
Even without the perfect composition, a quiet evening at an unfamiliar waterfall sparked the beginning of a new creative project.
Sometimes the photographs you cannot take lead to the ideas that matter most.
The Start of a Mini Project
When cloud and rain roll in over Dartmoor, my creative options for photography often feel more limited. The tors come to life when light catches them, but under grey, overcast skies they lose a little of their magic.
I am currently in Scotland, where rain and cloud are even more frequent, but here that extra water opens up new opportunities. Waterfalls scattered across the landscape come into their own in these conditions. Even in winter, without foliage, there are still strong and interesting compositions to be found.
With that in mind, I set out one evening to visit a waterfall I had never seen before. I do not think I had even come across a photograph of it, but I had spotted it on the map and, with no other plans on a damp and overcast evening, it felt like the perfect excuse to explore.
On arrival, I was immediately drawn to the multiple streams cascading down the dark rock. It did not take long to realise that the surrounding landscape was adding nothing to the scene. This was going to be a tighter composition with a longer lens, and it was always going to be black and white. The contrast between the dark rock and the flowing white water felt like it would work beautifully.
There was just one problem. There was no clean shot.
The waterfall can only be viewed from a small, fenced viewpoint, which limits movement quite significantly. The fence is there for good reason, with a steep drop beyond it, so stepping over it was never really an option. Even if it had been, branches framed the scene in a way that would have crept into almost any composition.
It was one of those moments where a drone would have been ideal, allowing a clear view beyond the branches and a chance to capture the scene properly. From where I stood, though, that clean composition simply was not possible.
Despite that, the photographs I did take sparked an idea.
There are countless waterfalls in this area, and I found myself really enjoying the process of capturing these high contrast black and white images. It felt like the beginning of something, so I decided to turn it into a small project. Over the next couple of weeks, I plan to explore more of these locations and build a set of images around this theme.
The photograph I had in mind that evening may not have been possible, but the experience led to something just as valuable. No matter the conditions, it is always worth heading out with the camera. You never quite know where it might lead.
Inverlochy Waterfall, Argyll, Scotland - Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S at 120mm, f/8, 1.3 sec at ISO 64, Kase Filters CPL.
Bite-Size Blog Post #62 - Return to Kilchurn Castle
A walk to Kilchurn Castle turns into an unexpected battle with a bog, leaving me soaked, muddy, but still determined to get the shot.
Man vs Bog
Anyone who has photographed Kilchurn Castle will know that the most direct route from the layby down to the loch involves crossing a very boggy stretch of ground. It is a walk that really calls for welly boots, and I have often had a quiet chuckle watching tourists attempt it in bright white trainers.
The waterline on my trousers is how deep my legs went into the bog!
Despite my confidence and sense that I knew exactly what I was doing, I had a nasty surprise on the way down this morning. I knew the ground could feel unsteady in places, but what happened caught me completely off guard. Both legs suddenly sank deep into the bog, past my knees and nearly up to my waist. I stood there for a moment, stuck fast, wondering what on earth to do next.
Channeling my inner Bear Grylls, I resisted the urge to panic and came up with a plan. First, I carefully removed my camera backpack and set it aside. Then I leaned forward, stretched my arms out to find firmer ground, and with a fair bit of effort managed to drag myself free. By the time I escaped I was covered in mud, soaked through, and my boots were full of water. It probably should have been the moment to call it a day, but I still had photographs to take.
Round Two
As I mentioned in last week’s blog, I am staying near Loch Awe for a short while and I’m hoping to make regular visits to Kilchurn Castle. This was my second visit, and although I had not planned on battling a bog, it was good to be back.
With some recent snowfall, I thought there might be a chance to give the scene a slightly wintry feel, even if the calendar says otherwise. It did add something, and I opted for a slightly different composition this time, placing the horizon through the middle of the frame to make the most of the reflections. Even so, I feel like the image is still missing a touch of drama. Then again, perhaps I had already used up my share of that for the day.
While my photograph from the previous visit remains my favourite, I have no doubt there will be a round three.
Kilchurn Castle, Loch Awe, Scotland - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S at 43mm, f/11, 1/8th at ISO 64.
Bite-Size Blog Post #61 - Birch Tor, Dartmoor National Park
A return to Birch Tor turned into a battle with the rain, hail and snow but it was strong winds that killed my video. But I was still left with a photograph that made it all worth the effort.
Just recently on this blog I wrote about photographing Birch Tor for the first time, and how despite all my years exploring Dartmoor I had somehow overlooked this gem of a location. Not only is it a fantastic place to photograph, it also felt like the perfect setting for a YouTube video to share how I approach working somewhere new on Dartmoor.
It has been a while since I last published a Dartmoor photography video, so Birch Tor felt like the right place to start again. One of the main reasons for the gap has been the weather, but this time I was determined to get out and film regardless of the forecast.
It was not the light that concerned me. The cloud cover looked promising. What I failed to pay proper attention to was the wind. Arriving at Birch Tor, I was quickly reminded that wind speed and direction matter just as much as the clouds overhead.
Rain, snow, and hail all swept through within fifteen minutes, which I could handle. The wind was another matter entirely. It was relentless, cutting straight through me and making filming far more difficult than expected. Still, I was determined to continue.
Filming in those conditions comes with its own challenges. Even with protection on the microphone, I suspected the audio would struggle. I told myself it would be something I could fix later.
It was not.
I am no audio expert, but no amount of editing, filtering, or enhancement could rescue it. In the end, the footage had to be set aside.
Even so, I came away with what mattered most, the photograph itself. It is not too different from the composition I shared in my previous post, but that is no bad thing. Returning to a similar idea can often lead to something more refined.
Birch Tor, Dartmoor National Park, Devon - Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 20mm, f/13, 1/15th at ISO 64.
As for the video, the idea still feels right. When the conditions and timing come together, I will be back to try again.
Bite-Size Blog Post #60 - Kilchurn Castle, Scotland
A return to the west Highlands offers a familiar landscape, shifting light, and a reminder that the experience often matters more than the photograph.
1st Attempt of Many
It’s great to be back in the west Highlands of Scotland. My homeland. The place where I grew up.
I love it here as it holds so many memories. The places are familiar, and the unpredictable weather is strangely comforting. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to catch up with family. In fact, I’m writing this blog post on the train home from Glasgow after a lovely lunch with my sister, aunt and uncle.
Earlier in the day, though, I was up early, sneaking in a bit of photography at a place I’m very familiar with, Kilchurn Castle. It’s a castle I grew up with, as it’s only a few miles from the village where I was raised. I will actually pass it on the train home, but unfortunately it will be dark, so I won’t see it.
Not to worry though, as I spent a lovely hour there this morning, crossing fingers, saying prayers and doing strange Celtic dances in the hope I could will the morning light to break through the cloud.
I didn’t want the cloud to go completely. It was adding a great deal of atmosphere to the scene, but I needed just a little light to illuminate the hills or the castle so the photo had a bit more depth.
Alas, it wasn’t to be, but the experience of being there was amazing. Glassy reflections on the loch, cloud rolling over the nearby Munros, and the somewhat deafening sound of the geese with their morning song. It was one of those mornings where you leave feeling fulfilled, even though the photographs didn’t quite work out.
Not to worry though. I’m here for an extended period of time, and the castle is close by, so I’ll be sure to return again and again. And of course I have Glencoe just up the road. And what a place of photographic opportunity that is.
Kilchurn Castle, Loch Awe, Scotland - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S at 28mm, f/8, ¼ sec at ISO 64.
Bite-Size Blog Post #52 - Loch Etive
The view down Loch Etive from the village where I grew up is something I will never bore of, especially when the light is great.
A View of My Homeland
Regular readers of this blog will know that I like to make regular trips back to my homeland in the highlands of Scotland. When I finished high school, I couldn't wait to leave and get to Glasgow, but now that I'm older (a fair bit older) and living in Exeter, I can't wait to get back!
It's not just that I have family who still live up there but it's also the draw of seeing that beautiful landscape again. Becoming a photographer has really opened my eyes to the beauty of the landscape and I appreciate it more than ever. Returning to Scotland is a joyful experience and seeing how it changes from season to season, and even from minute to minute is something I greatly value.
I recently took time off work and part of that holiday was taken in Scotland. I visited Edinburgh and of course Glen Coe, but I also made some time to visit my family in the village where I grew up. One our favourite things to do as a family is to go for a walk to the viewpoint that looks over Loch Etive and Ben Starav. Even when the weather is poor it's a stunning view. A view I will never bore off. Fortunately for me, on this visit the conditions were lovely and I was able to grab a quick shot. No time for tripods, filters and waiting about, so it was a quick handheld shot, but what a view!
Loch Etive, Scotland - Nikon Z8 with Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S at 120mm, f/11, 1/200 sec at ISO 1250.
Bite-Size Blog Post #51 - The Devil's Beef Tub
A scenic tourist drive between Moffat and Edinburgh reveals a location that forces me to pull over and admire the view.
Let's Save That One for Later
A few weeks ago, I took time off from work for a little holiday. Nothing extravagant, just a little vacation staying within the UK. I needed to take time to relax. My problem is that I can't seem to go on holiday without wanting to take all my camera gear with me. My idea of relaxing is to go on adventurous walks and take photographs!
This holiday, however, was not going to be that type of holiday. I would be going on adventurous walks, but the focus of those would be just to enjoy the experience of walking. And that's exactly what I did.
But clearly, I wouldn't be writing a blog post if I hadn't taken my camera gear with me! Of course I did, but I significantly cut down the amount of gear that I took. In fact, I really only took the camera with me so I could get nice photographs of my holiday.
It was fortunate that I did as during my drive from the Lake District to Edinburgh I drove past a location called The Devil's Beef Tub. A wonderful location with rolling hills and a dramatic hollow with a patchwork of colours and surface vegetation. Even in the middle of the day the scene stood out while driving along the road. So, I pulled over, grabbed the camera and captured this recce image. Sure, it's not going to win any awards, but it's given me a great reference shot for when I have time to plan a proper shoot there. And it's also a good reminder never to leave home without your camera!
The Devil’s Beeftub, Scotland - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S at 24mm, f/11, 1/125 sec at ISO 400, handheld.
Possibly My Favourite Viewpoint for Landscape Photography in Glencoe
Join me on another 5 Minute Photo Adventure to see why the view from Beinn a' Chrùlaiste towards Buachaille Etive Mòr is probably my favourite viewpoint in Glencoe.
Glencoe - A Landscape Photographers Favourite
Ask any landscape photographer which areas in Scotland are on their must shoot list you'd be hard to find a photographer that doesn't have Glencoe on that list. You might argue that there are better areas in Scotland to photograph, or areas that have been photographed less, but Glencoe resolutely remains a go to location for those armed with anything from a mobile phone to a large format film camera.
It's close proximity to Glasgow makes it relatively easy to get to but what really attracts photographers are it's many stunning viewpoints, many of which are on or close to a road. You'll find plenty of rivers and lochans to photograph, but the main star of the show has to be the mountains which dominate the area. I don't how many times I driven up onto the plateau at Glencoe, but each and every time the view takes my breath away.
Favourite or Best Glencoe Viewpoint
I would of course never proclaim that any particular Glencoe viewpoint is the best. The term best is very subjective and will vary from photographer to photographer. Even if you ask just one photographer, the answer you will most likely get is "it depends". Time of day, time of year and weather all play role in selecting which viewpoint is best for that moment in time.
There is one viewpoint in Glencoe that I keep coming back to you. It's a viewpoint that I will make the effort to photograph on just about every visit I make to Glencoe. With the exception of a small window in the winter where the sun rises from an awkward angle, it is my go to viewpoint. The viewpoint I am referring to is the view of Buachaille Etive Mòr (Stob Dearg) from the side of Beinn a' Chrùlaiste.
Buachaille Etive Mòr Sunrise #1, Glencoe, Scotland - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S at 28mm, f/8, 1/6 sec at ISO 64, Kase Filters CPL.
It's not the easiest of viewpoints to reach. With a full camera backpack on, the all up hill walk takes me 45 minutes (on a good morning). The walk isn't particularly technical (unless its snowy or icy), but it is a bit of a lung buster (depending on your fitness). Despite the effort required, I have never stood on the side of that mountain, watching the light from the rising sun illuminate the peak of Stob Dearg regretted. Sure, I've been cold, wet and hungry sometimes, but it's never taken away from the enjoyment of that special moment.
Buachaille Etive Mòr Sunrise #2, Glencoe, Scotland - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S at 41mm, f/8, 1/6 sec at ISO 64, Kase Filters CPL.
A 5 Minute Photo Adventure in Glencoe
So it should come as no surprise that on my recent visit to Scotland and to Glencoe I did that very thing. I set the alarm (very early), drove to Glencoe, and marched myself up to what is possibly my favourite viewpoint in Glencoe. If you want to know why I did this, then grab yourself a cup of coffee and watch the 5 Minute Photo Adventure video I made that morning.
Bonus Location - Lochan na h-Achlaise
My route home that morning took past another one of Glencoe's finest locations, Lochan na h-Achlaise. Normally by this point hunger would have me driving straight home for breakfast, but when I saw the reflections on Lochan na h-Achlaise there was no way I couldn't stop to take a closer look. It was late in the morning (relatively speaking to sunrise) so I already knew I probably wouldn't get any great photographs, but I had to at least try.
Lochan na h-Achlaise Reflections #1, Glencoe, Scotland - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S at 59mm, f/11, 1/60 sec at ISO 200, Kase Filters CPL.
The most interesting thing about stopping there wasn't the stunning reflections but the fact that as I was walking along the lochan I met another photographer from Exeter! I travel all that way and I bump into someone from Devon! It's a small world for sure.
Lochan na h-Achlaise Reflections #1, Glencoe, Scotland - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S at 46mm, f/11, 1/60 sec at ISO 200, Kase Filters CPL.
I hope you enjoyed this short blog post and video. What are your favourite Glencoe locations and what you most like to shoot next you are there? What's the furthest you've travelled only to bump into someone from your local area? Let me know in the comments below.
A Landscape Photography Adventure in Glencoe
There can't be many better locations to start your 2025 with than Glencoe! In this blog post I share the stories and photographs of the few days I spent there in January. You may be surprised by what you see!
Just a Few Days to Photograph Glencoe
When I started planning my Christmas holiday to Scotland, I was excited about all the things I would enjoy over the festive period. Over the two weeks I would be spending there I'd have plenty of time eat, drink and be merry with my family. I would also have time for another indulgence, namely landscape photography. With Glencoe only being a 60-minute drive from my family home in Argyll it's an easily accessible location. Not only would I have access to some of Scotland's most stunning scenery, with sunrise just before 9am and sunset around 4pm, I would still have plenty of time each evening to socialise with family.
However, the weather gods had other ideas! From the moment I arrived there was a low bank of solid grey cloud covering the landscape. A completely flat, featureless, grey overcast sky. This went on for days. I don't think I saw blue sky or a mountain peak for a week! Not to worry though. It was Christmas so I just ate and drank my way through it!
Finally, after nearly two weeks of truly awful weather it did start to break and with the forecast finally predicting something that might result in reasonable conditions for photography, I was super eager to get up to Glencoe. I would have to work hard though. It was the last few days of my holiday, so I'd had a lot of photography to catch up on!
Here are some of the locations I photographed in Glencoe.
Rannoch Moor - Glencoe
As far as roadside locations go in Glencoe it's hard to beat the lochs around Rannoch Moor. It is a location that I've not had a lot of success at though. It has a lot of great elements to work with such as mountains and islands, but without reflections in the lochs it can leave the foreground looking a little empty.
Arriving near Lochan nah-Achlaise things weren't looking promising. Even though it didn't feel particularly windy, it was windy enough to remove all reflections from the loch which was a shame as the mountains were snowcapped and had taken on a beautiful pink tone from the rising sun.
Lochan nah-Achlaise, Glencoe Scotland - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S at 24mm, f/11, 10 seconds at ISO 64, 4 image panoramic crop (6:17).
As pleasing as the scene was, I needed to look for something a bit different. Fortunately, I was there with a friend and she gave me a heads up on spot that might be worth photographing as the water in the foreground was broken up by some land. At first, I wasn't that excited about it, but then I considered it might be a scene that would look better as a black and white photograph. I immediately switched my Nikon Z8 to the Deep Monochrome profile and I was instantly captivated by the photograph. The scene became less about the reflections and more about the dark and light of the landscape.
Lochan nah-Achlaise, Glencoe Scotland - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S at 30mm, f/13, 60 seconds at ISO 64.
I am creating more black and white photographs but I’m not sure if it works. What do you think? Let me know in the comments below.
River Coupall and Buachaille Etive Mòr
I visited the stretch of the River Coupal that sits beneath the mighty Buachaille Etive Mòr twice during my time at Glencoe. It's an interesting stretch of river with plenty of sections with fast flowing water but balancing the composition wasn’t easy, and for most of my time there I only had cloud on the left side of the mountain!
This first image, taken close to sunset, was originally taken as colour, but I later edited as black and white as I found the different colour palettes between the mountain, the foreground and the relatively clear sky distracting.
River Coupall and Buachaille Etive Mòr, Glencoe, Scotland - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 19mm, f/13, 0.4 secs at ISO 64.
Returning a couple of days later presented a different set of challenges. For much of the morning Buachaille Etive Mòr was covered in cloud and when it did finally clear and you could see the peak, there was a distracting band of fog around the base of the mountain. This fog "disconnected" the mountain from the rest of the landscape. However, landscape photography is often a game of patience, and it eventually did clear.
River Coupall and Buachaille Etive Mòr, Glencoe, Scotland - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 22mm, f/13, 0.5 secs at ISO 320.
The light remained flat that morning so for me it's the black and white photograph I like the most as it helps bring out the shades and textures of the scene.
River Coupall and Buachaille Etive Mòr, Glencoe, Scotland - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 21mm, f/13, 0.5 secs at ISO 320.
River Etive, Glencoe
One spot that I'd never photographed in Glencoe was the River Etive, so when the sky became overcast and the light flat, I thought it would be a good opportunity to photograph some waterfalls. The River Etive flows from the A82 near Buachaille Etive Mòr all the way down to the top of Loch Etive. The drive of 12 miles, which follows the river to the loch is beautiful. But it's single track and full of twists and turns, and it's one way in and one way out. So, give yourself plenty of time if want to drive it.
Fortunately for me the waterfalls I had marked out were near the A82 end of the Glen Etive road, so despite the temptation to drive that road again to Loch Etive, I didn't have far to go before getting my camera out.
There are three waterfalls in short succession, but it was the first waterfall that stood out for me the most. With the mountains in the background, the frost/ice covered rocks and a good flow of water, I thought it made for an interesting composition. There were challenges though, many of which were the rocks which were very icy and therefore slippy. With the potential to slip, break my camera equipment or fall in the icy water, a great deal of caution was used, limiting how I positioned the camera. But despite the challenges, and the flat light, it's a photograph I am happy with.
River Etive, Glen Etive (Glencoe), Scotland - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f4 at 17mm, f/13, 0.5 secs at ISO 800.
When I took the photograph, I already had the camera in a black and white profile, so that was my original intention for the image. But I did also process one of the frames as colour. I'm not sure if colour version works as well but I've included it here as a comparison to see what you think.
River Etive, Glen Etive (Glencoe), Scotland - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f4 at 17mm, f/13, 0.5 secs at ISO 800.
Kilchurn Castle, Loch Awe
OK, Kilchurn Castle isn't technically in Glencoe, but I have included it as it's near to my family home and was part of my festive landscape photography adventure. Despite its obvious popularity with landscape photographers, it's a location that I will always visit when I'm in the area. But because of its popularity it is also hard to find an original composition and to take a truly unique photograph.
For me though, this isn't a reason not to photograph it. I principally take photographs for my own enjoyment and Kilchurn Castle is a location I love to photograph. A ruined castle on the banks of Loch Awe with mountains in the background is a big draw for me as a photographer. I just needed a morning with the conditions I was looking for. Glassy reflections, mist, and mountains with clouds above them. Not too much to ask is it!
The morning I visited Kilchurn Castle I knew I wouldn't get those conditions, but if I could get a pleasing photograph I would be happy. I decided to opt for a slightly different composition than I normally go for. The mountains in the background were capped with snow so I decided to position myself further along the bank so the castle would be below them.
Kilchurn Castle, Loch Awe, Scotland - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S at 44mm, f/11, 30 seconds at ISO 64.
As the light from the rising sun started to appear it added a beautiful pink glow to snowcapped mountains. When the wind was calm the scene was reflected in the calm waters of the loch. It did however take some time for the light to reach the castle and by the time it did the light on the mountains was a bit too harsh. It was a shame that I didn't get the reflections, the pink mountains and a bit of light on the castle all at the same time, but despite that I still got some photographs I was happy with.
Kilchurn Castle, Loch Awe, Scotland - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S at 42mm, f/11, 1/30th seconds at ISO 64.
The main thing, as always, is that I very much enjoyed my time there. It's a classic scene and just being there to watch the start of a new day is a delightful thing.
Buachaille Etive Beag, Glencoe
Buachaille Etive Beag, affectionally known as The Little Buachaille, isn't a mountain to be ignored. OK, it's big brother Buachaille Etive Mòr is more iconic, but it's hard to drive by The Little Buachaille without being just as impressed. It towers above Lochan na Fola and for a roadside location, it's location that should be on any landscape photographs Glencoe itinerary.
My first photo of Buachaille Etive Beag was taken just before sunset. I was a little late arriving as photographing this location was a bit of a last-minute decision. I may have missed better light, but as you can see, in the right conditions the reflections can be wonderful. I've photographed this view before, and I prefer my previous compositions that have been wider. Still, for a grab shot at the end of day, I'm pleased with the result.
Buachaille Etive Beag, Glencoe, Scotland - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 19mm, f/13, 1.3 sec at ISO 64.
Returning a few days later the conditions were quite different. A fresh coating of snow had changed the look and feel of the location, and with no reflections on the lochan I decided to look for something different. Wandering around the edge of the lochan I soon came across an area where some rocks in the water that had a layer of snow on them. They looked like little white islands, and I thought they would make for a good foreground in my composition. Positioning the closest rock was tricky as it was close to the bank of the loch. I had little choice but to place it near the edge of frame, and while I would like the rock to have had more space, the composition still works.
Buachaille Etive Beag, Glencoe, Scotland - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 20mm, f/13, 1/4 sec at ISO 64.
A bit further along you find one of the burns that feeds into the lochan. For me, this scene immediately screamed black and white as it was already almost completely void of colour anyway. It took a while to position the burn in the frame so that I could make the most of that beautiful s-shape, but my biggest choice was how much polarisation to use.
In this photograph I have some polarisation, allowing some of the water to reflect light.
Buachaille Etive Beag, Glencoe, Scotland - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 22mm, f/13, 0.4 sec at ISO 64.
In this next version though, I have almost completely polarised the water turning it jet black, which in my opinion is a great contrast to the white of snow, making the s-bend of the burn a more prominent feature. However, I'm not totally convinced either way. What do you think?
Buachaille Etive Beag, Glencoe, Scotland - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 22mm, f/13, 0.4 sec at ISO 64.
Returning to Glencoe
That’s all from this adventure and I hope you enjoyed all the photographs I captured. I have to admit, I was suprirsed by how black and white photos I captured. But it’s a pleasant surprise and it’s a sign of how my photography is developing.
I will be returning to Glencoe in the near future, so stay tuned to the blog!
A Little Bit of Glencoe
Back to the Homeland
I've returned to my homeland of Scotland a couple of times this year and each time I have, I made sure that I took my camera so that I could photograph of the beautiful Scottish landscape. Despite my best intentions though, I never captured any photographs. But how could I possibly go all the way to Scotland and not take any landscape photographs?
My primary reason for going to Scotland was to see family and friends, not to take photographs. So, when I was there and I was spending time with the people that are close to me, my motivation for early alarm calls and staying out late to take pictures evaporated. Dare I say, but there is more to life than photography!
However, I've just returned from another trip to Scotland, and despite this being another friends and family type visit, I was determined to get out and use my camera! Add in the fact that it was the height of autumn, and the colours would be at their best in the landscape, there was no way I was returning home without capturing at least one landscape photograph!
An Ascent of Beinn a' Chrùlaiste
With Glencoe being only a 60 minute drive from my family home in Scotland, it became the obvious choice to go on a photography adventure. One of my all-time favourite Glencoe viewpoints is looking towards Stob Dearg (Buachaille Etive Mòr) from up on Beinn a' Chrùlaiste. You don't even need to get all the way to the summit to get a good viewpoint. By reaching Stob Beinn a' Chrùlaiste you can get a perfect side on view of Stob Dearg. It might be an all uphill walk in the dark, but to sit on that hill side and watch the sun come up over Glencoe is nothing short of magical.
As I said, it is one of my favourite viewpoints so I have photographed it before, but I've always felt I could get a better photograph, or at least a photograph with different weather conditions. Maybe even a temperature inversion!
Stob Dearg Sunrise, Glencoe, Scotland - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S at 29mm, f/11, 1.6 secs at ISO 64.
Alas, as you can see from my photograph I didn't get a cloud inversion. In fact, I didn't get much in the way of cloud at all. There was a blanket of very high level cloud that didn't add much to the scene and all it really did was stop the sky looking too blue. Other than that, the light was beautiful and the way it catches the mountain, and the autumnal colour of the ground is a sight I will never bore off. It's a composition I've captured before, but I'll happily keep going back and doing it again.
After spending a wonderful hour on the side of the hill, the light had become bright and harsh, so I felt there weren't many more opportunities to capture photographs. I had the choice of going back the way I ascended and to the car or continuing my walk to the summit of Beinn a' Chrùlaiste. As I'd never been to the summit, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to do so. I'd get a nice walk, and I might find some compositions to come back to another morning.
After reaching the summit I descended down the eastern ridge, a route that I'd never done before. The highlight of the descent was hearing the roaring sounds of the stags. It was the height of the rutting season, and the noise of the stags could be heard everywhere. I even managed to spot one close to the Kinghouse Hotel.
After 13km of walking, my circular route took me back to the car feeling happy and content with my morning adventure in Glencoe.
Glencoe Lochan
A few days later I met up with a friend and fellow photographer who has a lot more experience of photographing Glencoe than me. She took me to a location I'd never been to before, Glencoe Lochan. While the light wasn't amazing, the water was calm, and autumn colours were beautiful.
Glencoe Lochan, Glencoe, Scotland - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S at 24mm, f/13, 1 secs at ISO 64.
This is by no means an amazing photograph, but I wanted to capture it so I could remind myself to return here next time I'm in the area.
River Coe
The afternoon weather in Glencoe had turned cloudy and wet, but the great thing about Glencoe is that even in the stormiest of conditions, you will likely find something to shoot. With the hope that there would be a gap in clouds rapidly fading, we decided to head down to the River Coe to see if we could make a composition featuring the river and the mountains. Even with the absence of light, the autumn colours of the landscape were striking.
It was late in the day when we got down to the river, and with so much cloud in the sky, the light levels were low. I admit that this did cause me to feel a little rushed and finding a balanced composition in a complex scene was tricky. The river has many twists, turns, pools, and waterfalls, and trying to place these effectively in a composition along with the trees and mountains, is something that requires time and exploration.
River Coe Rapids #1, Glencoe, Scotland - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 14mm, f/13, 0.5 secs at ISO 500.
I'm not complaining though. This is another part of Glencoe that I haven't explored before and just being there was exciting. It's another Glencoe location that I will revisit when I have more time, and I'm wearing a pair of wellies. I could easily spend a few hours (carefully) exploring this stretch of the River Coe.
River Coe Rapids #1, Glencoe, Scotland - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S at 14mm, f/13, 3 secs at ISO 400.
My time photographing Glencoe was short, but I loved it. I'm so glad I made the effort to tear myself away from my family and to head out with the camera. I photographed one of my favourite Glencoe locations and I found a couple of new ones. I had clear, calm weather one day, and wind and rain the other. But no matter the weather, Glencoe is still one of the most spectacular places in the country. No matter if I'm just enjoying a walk or taking landscape photographs, I will never get bored of it. I can't wait to go back.
Bite-Size Blog Post #29 - The Quiraing
I love the view towards the Quiraing but I always seem to struggle to get a photograph I'm happy with in. I got a chance to go back recently, but was this the best I could get?
In Search of The Needle
The Isle of Skye is magical and for the landscape photographer, it’s heaven. Like most of the Hebridean islands, it offers a lot of variety to adventurous photographer. You can photograph the coast and the mountains and everything in between.
Unfortunately, this blog post isn’t a story about how I spent many wonderful days on the island capturing portfolio images every day. No, this is a brief story about just one morning on Skye. Don’t feel sad for me though, I was on my way to spend 10 days on Harris and Lewis!
With just one morning on Skye, it can be difficult to select a location, but when your next stop is Uig and the ferry to Harris, it’s almost impossible to not be drawn to the Quiraing. I had photographed it on my last visit but I wasn’t completely happy with the photographs. I had unfinished business at the Quiraing!
So, would this trip yield any better results? Well, no, not really. I’m not unhappy with the photograph I captured. I did what I could with the conditions and light that I had. I just feel that this photograph lacks the drama that I would want to see from this view. Perhaps I’ve had my perception skewed from all the photographs I have seen of the Quiraing over the years.
I’m not going to worry about it though. It’s just inspired me to want to go back and next time with enough time for repeat visits.
While I was there though, and with the thought of coming back in my mind, I decided to explore a little more of the area. I particularly wanted to see The Needle, but managed to miss the path that takes you up to it. It wasn’t the end of the world though as the two hour circular walk that I went on revealed some very nice locations that would shoot well in the right conditions.
I might not have captured the most amazing image of the Quiraing, but it was definitely time well spent. It was goodbye to Skye, but I know I will be back one day. Soon.
The Quiraing, Isle of Skye, Scotland - Nikon Z8, Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S at 27mm, f/11, 1/4 sec at ISO 64.
Bite-Size Blog Post #28 - Glencoe
With so many amazing spots to photograph in Glencoe it can be hard to know what to shoot. But sometimes you just need to take a chance, recce a location and then see what happens. Find out why I captured this image in the blog this week
There Are Worse Places to Stop
Back in March I went on a photography adventure to Harris and Lewis in Scotland. It’s a very long journey from Devon to the Outer Hebrides so an overnight stop somewhere will always need to be on the itinerary. Fortunately, Devon to Glencoe is about doable in a day, so me and my friend decided a quick overnight there would be perfect. We’d be there in time for sunset, and we could sneak in a quick sunrise shoot before continuing our journey north.
It may sound like an odd thing to say, but when you only have a short amount of time in a location, particularly a location like Glencoe, deciding what to shoot is not as easy as it might appear. You are literally spoilt for choice so there was a lot of debate on where to shoot, both on the drive up and at the hotel. A decision had to be made though and after a bit map scrolling, we spotted a loch that if the weather forecast was accurate, it could be still enough for reflections.
The evening forecast was a little unsettled so we sacrificed the evening shoot to go and recce a spot on the loch. Best be prepared for the morning rather than turn up and then be in a panic when the conditions are good. As it turned out, it was a beautiful evening. There was plenty of drama in the sky with lots of clouds lit up by the setting sun, and there were also so nice reflections on the loch. The only thing missing was light on the landscape. But our time there wasn’t wasted as we both agreed that if we get great conditions the next morning, this will be the place to be.
We headed back the following morning and we weren’t disappointed! The loch was perfectly still, there was plenty of cloud in the sky, and though we had to be patient, we did finally get light on the hills and then magically on the trees! What a perfect way to start a two week photography adventure.
Just for fun, I’ve included two versions of my favourite image that I captured that morning. The first is the uncropped version. I love this version as it shows how good the reflections were. I also love the panoramic crop version. I’d be really tempted to print that version to have on my wall. What do you think? Let me know in the comments below.
Glencoe, Scotland - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S at 24mm, f/11, 1/8th sec at ISO 64, Kase CPL.
Glencoe, Scotland - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S at 24mm, f/11, 1/8th sec at ISO 64, Kase CPL, single image panoramic crop..
Photographing Scotland's Most EPIC Landscapes - The Isles of Harris and Lewis
What if I told you there was a photography location that has everything? Somewhere that will inspire your creativity, provide you with a sense of calm, but also excite you with a rich variety of subjects to photograph. And all this in on a small Scottish Island. Welcome to The Outer Hebrides!
A Return to the Ultimate Landscape Photography Location in the UK
Back in 2018 I made my first visit to The Outer Hebrides and the Isles of Harris and Lewis. From the moment I visited my first location and stood on the beach at Luskentyre I knew this place would capture my heart (photographically speaking). I spent the next week exploring and photographing some of the most spectacular and amazing scenery I had ever seen in the UK. As soon as I left, I wanted to go back. And go back soon.
However, as most you will know, life has a funny habit of getting in the way of such grand plans and it would be nearly 6 years before I was able to return. My memories of that amazing island didn’t fade over that time and I told anyone that would listen that they must also visit Harris & Lewis, even if they weren’t a photographer.
So, when an opportunity presented itself to return to this magical island I jumped at the chance. Not even a two-day road trip was enough to put me off reaching my Hebridean destination.
The problem with setting high expectations is that it can often lead to disappointment. Surely the Isles of Harris & Lewis wouldn’t do that to me? Though I didn’t film at every location I photographed, I hope this video will give you an idea of what it was like there. Was I disappointed or am I already thinking about going back? Enjoy!
Landscape Photographs of Harris and Lewis
Here are the landscape photographs that you saw in the video. I captured and processed about twice as many, but I had to draw the line somewhere!
Explore & Discover the Outer and Inner Hebrides published by fotoVUE - On My Bookshelf S06E06
The Scottish Hebrides is a photographer’s paradise but with so much to see and to photograph, it can be hard to know where to start. Explore & Discover the Inner Hebrides and the Outer Hebrides by Christoper Swan and published by fotoVUE aims to transform your time in the area from random chaos to an efficient voyage of discovery and exploration.
In this special on-location edition of On My Bookshelf, I put Explore & Discover The Outer Hebrides to a real-world test to see if it can get me to a new location so I capture a photograph of the Isle of Harris.
Photographing the Best Locations in the Hebrides
I purchased my first fotoVUE title (Photographing the Lake District) in 2017 and ever since then I’ve been regulary adding these location guides to my bookshelf. Some of them I use on a regular basis, some every now and again, and there are some I have yet to utilise (though I will get those places one day!).
When I found out that fotoVUE were publishing two new titles, Explore & Discover The Inner Hebrides and Explore & Discover The Outer Hebrides, I was very excited as it couldn’t have come at a better time. The publishing of these books would be just before I headed off to the Harris & Lewis for the 2nd time. From my previous experience of using fotoVUE guidebooks I knew they would be a fantastic resource to help me discover new locations and explore further the locations I had visited last time.
As well as producing my primary video for my photography adventure on Harris & Lewis, I thought the release of these two books on the Hebrides would make for a great episode of On My Bookshelf. Best of all, as I would be on Harris and Lewis, I could produce the video on-location and show you how useful these fotoVUE guidebooks can be through a practical example!
So, sit back, relax, and see how I used the book to find a viewpoint on Harris that I had not photographed before.
Buy fotoVUE Explore & Discover Books
✔️ Use the discount code JULIAN to get 20% off all books at fotovue.com .
💳 You can purchase Explore & Discover The Outer Hebrides, The Inner Hebrides, and Scotland, here - https://fotovue.com/shop/
Please note - the discount code does not work on pre-orders or on the "both books bundle" for Inner and Outer Hebrides as the bundle is already discounted.
By using this discount code I may receive a commission for the sale. This has no effect on the price for you.
Harris Location 1, Luskentyre Beach
Here are the photographs that I captured in the video. In the book it’s viewpoint 3, Tràigh Rosamol Dunes.
Tràigh Rosamol Dunes #1, Luskentyre, Isle of Harris - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S at 48mm, f/13, 2 minutes at ISO 200, 16:9 crop.
Tràigh Rosamol Dunes #2, Luskentyre, Isle of Harris - Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S at 33mm, f/14, 1.6 seconds at ISO 400.
Walking Up One of Scotland's Finest Mountains with Monty and a Camera
I always look forward to returning to Scotland, but my latest visit to the homeland was made even more special as Monty joined me. Being a cocker spaniel, he is full of energy, but could he summit Ben Cruachan? And could I capture some landscape photographs from the summit?
What a Legend!
I try to bring a variety of content to my blog. Some of it might be educational, I hope most of it is inspiring but most of all I want it to be fun. This blog post and video definately falls into the fun category.
As many of you will know that I have a cocker spaniel called Monty. He has been my constant companion for nearly 4 years as I wander the hills of Dartmoor. He has limitless energy and there is nothing better he likes than a long walk.
I’ve seen plenty of dogs being walked on the British mountains, so I was keen to give Monty the same experience. Last month I finally got the chance to see if Monty could scale a Munro (a Scottish mountain over 3000ft). He’d driven all the way up from Devon with me to Argyll, and after a few days acclimatisation I thought he was ready for some bigger walks.
We started with a walk up the banks of Loch Etive. That turned out to be a 22km walk and he managed that without issue. So, a few days later I decided it was time to take him up my home mountain of Ben Cruachan.
As this was such a special occasion in Monty’s life, I decided to make a video of our adventure and share it with you all. You might not learn anything or be impressed by the photography, but hopefully you’ll enjoy it and be inspired as well. Enjoy!
The BEST View of Glencoe
Anyone who has driven through Glencoe will know what the view of Buachaille Etive Mor looks like. It's probably Glencoe's most iconic mountain. But what is the view like from the summit? In my latest video, I head to the summit to find out and take some landscape photographs.
Photography from the Summit of Buachaille Etive Mor
I’ve photographed Buachaille Etive More (Stob Dearg) many times before. So have a lot of other photographers. It’s probably one of Glencoe’s most iconic and striking mountains. You can’t help but admire it as you drive along the A82.
I did walk up to the summit way back in 2006 but that was just for fun and ever since then I’ve always wanted to go back to the summit with my camera. Finally, after gap of just over 16 years I’m given another opportunity to make it to the roof of Glencoe.
The day I was in Glencoe the conditions were looking great for an ascent, and despite having already walked up Beinn a'Chrulaiste for sunrise that morning, I knew I had enough energy (mental and physical) to get up there. So carrying a bag with (probably) too much camera gear and wearing my new walking boots I set off and made a video of my adventure.
WIN a Pair of Mammut Boots
This competition is now closed. Sorry!
Photographs from the Summit of Buachaille Etive Mor
Panoramic View from Stob Dearg (Buachaille Etive Mòr), Glencoe, Scotland - Nikon Z7, Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S at 71mm, f/8, 1/50 sec at ISO 64.
Altnafeadh and Beyond, Glencoe, Scotland - Nikon Z7, Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S at 48mm, f/11, 1/160 sec at ISO 320.
Stob a Ghlais Choire from Stob Dearg, Glencoe, Scotland - Nikon Z7, Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S at 76mm, f/8, 1/250 sec at ISO 500.
The Mountains of Glencoe #1, Glencoe, Scotland - Nikon Z7, Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S at 30mm, f/8, 1/60 sec at ISO 64.
The Mountains of Glencoe #2, Glencoe, Scotland - Nikon Z7, Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S at 45mm, f/8, 1/50 sec at ISO 64.
Coire na Tulaich, Glencoe, Scotland - Nikon Z7, Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S at 24mm, f/13, 1/15 sec at ISO 64.
View Down Coire na Tulaich, Glencoe, Scotland - Nikon Z7, Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S at 24mm, f/13, 1/50 sec at ISO 320.
The Story of Scotland's Mountains - A Documentary
Murray Wilkie (AKA Scotland's Mountains) has been documenting his adventures in the Scottish mountains for over a decade. In this special documentary, I join Murray on one of his world-famous walks as he takes on a new route to discover one of Glencoe's finest viewpoints. Along the way I ask Murray about his passion for hillwalking, his photography, his life on YouTube, and most importantly, what his favourite mountain snack is!
A Journey to Glencoe's Finest Viewpoint with Murray Wilkie
The primary goal of the video content I produce is to share my passion for landscape photography. By sharing my adventures, I hope that my films inspire more photographers to head outdoors with their cameras to capture beautiful landscapes.
As well as providing inspiration, I also gain inspiration from other photographers and YouTube content creators. One of my favourite channels is Scotland’s Mountains. On the channel you’ll find Murray Wilkie hill walking and climbing the hills and mountains of Scotland. Not only is his content inspiring, but more sentimentally than that, it reminds me of home.
One of the things I like to do on my channel is to share the stories of the people that inspire me by making documentaries about them. You may have already seen my documentaries about Chris Sale and Nick Livesey. Though I don’t make documentaries very often, I am passionate about them, so you can imagine my excitement when Murray agreed that I could make one about him.
What you are about to watch is the result of that collaboration. I join Murray on one his world-famous walks, on a route he’s never walked before to (hopefully) find one of Glencoe’s finest viewpoints. Along the way I ask Murray about his passion for hillwalking, his photography, his life on YouTube, and most importantly, what his favourite mountain snack is!
Sit back, relax, and enjoy “Scotland’s Mountains - The Murray Wilkie Story”.
Murray’s Video of that Day
If you’d like to see the video Murray made of that day then check it out below. It’s well worth a watch!
Check out Murray's excellent Instagram feed - instagram.com/scotlandsmountains
Buy Gerry's book "Day Walks in Loch Lomond & the Trossachs" - https://amzn.to/3thXXLG
Glencoe Photos
As with any of the documentaries I produce, filming my subject is my primary focus. However, I did manage to find the time to take a photograph of the mighty fine view Murray guided me to.
Glencoe Valley from Meall Mor, Scotland - Nikon Z7, Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S at 24mm, f/8, 1/60 sec at ISO 64.
Photographing One of Scotland's Hidden Waterfalls
Scotland has many famous and majestic waterfalls, but for the landscape photographer willing to do a bit of exploring, there are also a few hidden gems. Join me in this 5 Minute Photo Adventure where I photograph one of those hidden gems near the coastal town of Oban in West Scotland.
A Very Wet and Challenging Photography Adventure
There’s not much Scotland doesn’t offer the adventurous landscape photographer. It has mountains, lochs, coastline, woodlands, and waterfalls. Some of those waterfalls have a lot of grandeur and are well known. There are also a few hidden gems. Not that hard to get to, but you need to know where they are.
There is one such waterfall near the town of Oban in West Scotland where I grew up. It’s been on my list of places to photograph for many years but it’s only on my most recent visit to Scotland that I’ve finally taken the chance to photograph it.
When I arrived at the waterfall though, it was in full flow, and it was raining. I shouldn’t have been surprised though. It is Scotland! With so much water in the air, it turned out to be one of the most challenging photographs I’ve ever captured. But I must admit, it was still a lot of fun!
Watch me get wet and take some photographs of this hidden gem of a waterfall in my latest 5 Minute Photo Adventure.
Landscape Photographs of Oban’s Hidden Waterfall
Waterfalls #1, Oban, Scotland - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 S at 21mm, f/13, 0.4 sec at ISO 50, Kase Filters CPL.
Waterfalls #2, Oban, Scotland - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 S at 16mm, f/13, 0.4 sec at ISO 50, Kase Filters CPL.
Photographing Glencoe and Vallerret Base Layers
There are few better places to visit as a landscape photographer than Glencoe in Scotland. However, at this time of year, the temperatures can be low enough to make any unprepared photographer give up and go home. In this video, I will share the joy of landscape photography at one of Glencoe's most famous viewpoints and I also try out Vallerret's new range of merino wool base layers.
Scotland at Its Very Best
Photographers are attracted to Glencoe for all sorts of reasons. One of the biggest reasons is that there are so many amazing viewpoints that are easy to access. There are some great photographs to be captured from either your car or with just a short walk. However, for those photographers willing to be a little more adventurous there are almost limitless opportunities, especially if you chuck the variable weather into the mix.
One such viewpoint is an elevated view of Stob Dear (Buachaille Etive Mòr). It’s always been a favourite of mine and I find it hard not to photograph it if I’m visiting Glencoe. On my most recent visit, the forecast was predicting lots of fog, and I had high hopes of a temperature inversion, and even though this didn’t occur, it was still an amazing morning of photography.
Keeping Warm with Vallerret Base Layers
While it might have been a sunny day on Glencoe, it was far from warm. The lower temperatures did therefore give me the chance to share my thoughts on Vallerret’s new range of merino wool base layers. You will be familiar with Vallerret’s range of photography gloves, and I have previously featured them in my videos. I suffer from cold hands and for me, my photography gloves are as important as my camera. I’ve had a few trips out with the camera ruined because I’ve been cold and miserable.
With winter just around the corner, the release of these new base layers from Vallerret was good news to me and I was happy to put them through their paces during my adventures in Scotland. You can learn more about them and hear my thoughts on them in the video below.
If you’d like to purchase any of these base layers you can do so directly from Vallerret right here.
Landscape Photographs from Glencoe
Buachaille Etive Mor (Stob Dearg) at Sunrise, Glencoe, Scotland - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 S at 21mm, f/11, 1/5 sec at ISO 64.
Glencoe Valley at Sunrise #1, Glencoe, Scotland - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 S at 21mm, f/11, 1/5 sec at ISO 64.
Glencoe Valley at Sunrise #2, Glencoe, Scotland - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 S at 14mm, f/11, 1/13 sec at ISO 64.
Vallerret Base Layers on Location
Those Vallerret base layers were warm enough and comfortable enough to allow me to take these on location photographs. I don’t think modelling is my strong point though. Perhaps I’ll stick to photography!
Vallerret Merino Wool Zip Jersey.
Vallerret Merino Wool Long Sleeve Tee
A Honeypot Location Does Not Guarantee Success
In my bog this week I share with you some of the photographs I took on a recent visit to Kilchurn Castle in Scotland. On paper, I had all the right conditions, but that doesn't necessarily mean the photography is easy.
Photographing Kilchurn Castle
Kilchurn Castle on the banks of Loch Awe is a well-photographed location. With a ruined castle, a Scottish loch, and mountains in the background, it’s no wonder why it’s so popular with tourists and photographers alike.
When a location becomes extremely popular with photographers it is often labelled as a honeypot location. Photographers have varying views on if you should shoot a honeypot location or not. I have shared my views on this topic in a previous video. Check it out to see if you agree.
While Kilchurn Castle could be considered a honeypot location, that is not the only reason I chose to photograph it. I have a personal connection with this location. I grew up just a few miles away from the castle, under the shadow of the very same mountain that dominates the background to the castle. As a child, I will have visited the castle, see it from the road, and passed by it on the train. The view of this quintessential Scottish castle has been engrained onto my brain.
Unfortunately, I became a photographer long after leaving the area, so I’ve only been able to photograph it a few times. I’ve had varying degrees of success and you can watch a video I made there below.
Returning to Scotland
After a break of over 2 years (thanks to things like COVID), I finally made a return trip in October. The purpose of the trip was to see family but as a photographer, there was no way I was going to leave my camera at home!
Given that Kilchurn Castle was so close to where I was going to be staying, I kept an eye on the forecast in the hope that an opportunity would present itself. Sure enough, one of the morning forecasts predicted mist and calm winds. While there are many shots of the castle in mist being reflected in the water, it’s a photograph that I hadn’t taken so I made my plans for a dawn shoot to see if I could put my own stamp on this classic viewpoint.
It was mid-week morning in October so at most I expected to see one or two other photographers there. To my surprise I got the last parking space when I arrived! As I walked down to the water's edge, I could see lots of photographers. There were probably at least two workshop groups there.
This didn’t spoil things for me. Far from it. I was still able to find a spot I was happy with, so I got my camera out and got shooting.
A Misty Morning at Kilchurn Castle #1, Loch Awe, Scotland - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 14mm, f/8, 1 second at ISO 64.
Nice Conditions But…
The conditions were just as predicted. There was mist floating about and the waters were mostly calm. You would of course think that this would make the photography easy, but that’s not the case. It’s always a combination of factors that make for the most interesting photographs. Mist, yes, but is it the right place to add atmosphere to the image? Calm winds, yes, but not everywhere so getting perfect reflections is challenging. Clouds in the sky? What clouds! And when I finally got light on the castle, it was harsh and most of the mist had cleared, and the wind had picked up.
A Misty Morning at Kilchurn Castle #2, Loch Awe, Scotland - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 14-30mm f/4 at 30mm, f/8, 3 seconds at ISO 64, 16:9 crop.
It’s not to say that I’m unhappy with my images. Far from it. Each photograph has its own merits and I tried to make the most of the conditions at the time of capture. However, none of the images are successful in their own right. There is some sort of compromise in each one.
A Misty Morning at Kilchurn Castle #3, Loch Awe, Scotland - Nikon Z7, Nikkor 24-200mm f/4-6.3 at 48mm, f/11, 1/25th second at ISO 64, stitched panorama.
This is not to take away from the enjoyment of being there that morning. I loved it. Watching the reflections come and go, and to see the mist dance and snake over the landscape was a joy. But just because you are at a honeypot location with visually great conditions does not mean you can always make for a stunning image.
My advice is to always enjoy a location for what it is and make the best photograph you can. If you come away with an amazing image, it’s a bonus, but if not, don’t sweat it.
It might be a while before I get back to Kilchurn Castle, but no matter the conditions when I do, it’s a view that I will cherish.
Lightweight Landscape Photography
In this video, I decided to trim a little weight from my landscape photography kit bag. On a recent trip to the Scottish Highlands, I decided to put my kit bag on a diet so that I can make a faster, easier ascent of Beinn Dubh. Watch to discover what I've changed and to see the landscape photographs I captured.
Back to the Homeland
After a two year absence, I’ve finally made it back to my homeland. Back to Scotland! It’s been one thing not to do any international travel because of COVID, but another entirely for it not be safe to travel to Scotland. Though I live in the south-west of England, my heart is still Scottish, and I still have family who lives up there. It’s been hard not being able to visit.
So, I was over the moon when I was able to make plans to return to Scotland. The primary purpose of my trip was to visit family but there was no way I wasn’t going to make an ascent of a hill or mountain when I was there. A quick review of OS maps revealed Beinn Dubh on the shoreline of Loch Lomond. It’s a hill I’ve driven by many times but never walked up. As it was enroute it was the ideal candidate for a quick walk.
To make a quick ascent it was necessary to cut down on some of the weight of my normal photography gear. I needed a lightweight setup. In this video, I not only share with you the photographs from my ascent of Beinn Dubh, but I also share with you my lightweight kit bag. Let me know in the comments below what your lightweight kit bag is.
Landscape Photography of Loch Lomond and Beinn Dubh
