Shots and thoughts from Scottish Highlands

Hello Everyone!

Selection of photographs from various spots with some comments that you may find interesting and/or useful...

Eilean Donan Castle, Loch Duich, Scotland
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I was driving to Isle of Skye that late afternoon, when I arrived to this popular spot at Loch Duich near Dornie it was heavy rain but in distance I could see brighter sky so I set my tripod and got ready for some action. Few minutes later lovely afternoon sunshine lit the bridge and Castle, thanks to high tide there was enough water around for some lovely reflections. I used 10 stop ND filter (ND 1000) to darken the whole scene and allow slower shutter speed to smooth water, Circular Polarizing filter to cut off reflections and improve colours which otherwise will be burnt out by the strong sunshine, also ND graduated filter (0.9 Soft) to darken the sky for more balanced exposure. For so many filters used simultaneously it's essential to use good quality brands and also make sure the tripod is rock steady as any shake will blur details and ruin the shot. It's also good to have the source of light (Sun) on the side/behind you, not in front of you. It's one of the most photographed Castles in the World and I took hundreds of shots myself but it still inspires me to date especially under great light/conditions like it was that day...

Heather & morning sky above Portknockie, Moray, Scotland
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That morning I drove to Portknockie, village in Moray area of North Scotland to photograph 'Bow Fiddle Rock' at sunrise (and I did). After 15 minutes of great morning light sky turned cloudy so I went for a hike around the area and was attracted by this view - the combination of various purple/green/yellow colours of the heather and grass in the foreground combined with line of houses at the horizon and heavy sky above. It is worth to keep eyes open, wander and look around/away from your main subject...

Sunset over Loch Tarff, near Fort Augustus, Scotland
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I came back from holidays in Poland this summer and I was hmm... not very happy! I had amazing time with friends and family, it was very hot and summery and I just didn't feel like going back to Scotland at all! So after I came back I didn't go anywhere for almost a week until this evening when I felt like I need to take a break from looking through my holiday shots, leave home, breath some air and stretch my legs. I've been to this spot few times before, it's easy to reach by car - you need to take the road B862 from Fort Augustus and when you pass Loch Tarff road will climb the hill until you can see parking spaces and a path on your left. Hike this path for about 15 minutes and you will get to this spot which offers some stunning views of the surrounding area. Red deer can often be seen around there so if you're lucky you may get some stunning shots. I was lucky that evening and the evening light at sunset was gorgeous, it kind of healed the 'post-vacation blues' and put me back on track...

Derelict boat at Inchnacardoch Bay, Loch Ness, Scotland
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This shot was taken in December which often has more of a Autumn feel to it than winter. It can be grey, dark, cold and moody. It was one of those days and I just had a bit of time for shooting so I drove around Loch Ness which works very well on those gloomy, miserable days. This spot can be found just before Fort Augustus (when you drive from Invermoriston) or just after Fort Augustus when you go towards Invermoriston. I love derelict/old objects with a lot of history behind them, amazing rusty textures and since 2006 it is one of my favourite spots around Loch Ness. Unfortunately I've heard rumours about plans to remove the derelict boat considered by some people as 'garbage' so better make plans soon if you wish to photograph it! ND 32 (5 stop) filter used to slow down the shutter speed to 3 seconds, CPL filter that cuts of reflections in the foreground and showing rocks underneath the water plus ND graduated 0.9 soft filter to darken the brighter sky. I went for low angle to include the rock with old chain and details underneath water...

To be continued...

If you visit those places please remember - 'don't leave anything but footprint, don't take anything but pictures!'

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