A close off centre crop of a Monkey Puzzle Tree – this is a close up taken with a 50-200 non VR lens. I would love to get hold of a Macro lens – would love to see the close up potential.
Archive for the ‘Nature’ Category
It’s a Puzzle 11 comments
Crash landed a Hunters Moon 18 comments
Well I though I would demonstrate the diversity of textures in the Scottish landscape – even on a dricht day contrasts can be found – less than 300 meters from my misty Loch Duich was this stark contrast – by avoiding the mist and dricht using along lens to isolate the reflection – I ended up with this. I was drawn to the circular shape and the title fell from that – admittedly the colour is a little flat but then that is how it was – notice also the tide draining out of this sea loch placing the seaweed just below the surface in nice lines 
Soflty ~ Softly Loch Duich 26 comments
I have been hankering at taking a minimalist soft focus image – which was inspired by work from a few of my fellow bloggers. I wont name names at this point but those who follow similar artists to myself will have a reasonable idea. Anyway something a little different which evokes the moodiness of Scotland at it’s best. Enjoy
Kinloss Abbey 17 comments
Had this hanging around for a while but wasn’t to sure anyway as I have to go and bury my head in my first assignment for my just commenced Photography Higher Professional Diploma – I will leave you to decide if I got it level in the end 
.
A Haunted Carbisdale Castle Hides amongst the Trees 21 comments
I hope your eyes are wandering across the vista seeking the haunted Castle which I am referring to. I stayed here when I was 15 on a tour of the Highlands which was run by my school. This and a subsequent trip to Minnesota have in many shaped the creative side of me. I have ghost story to tell with this picture – but you wouldn’t believe me and it would take to long. So please just enjoy this and if you get the chance to go and stay (it is Scottish Youth Hostel Association venue) don’t think twice.
I long for Spring 17 comments
The classic Scottish Golf tease it could be Turnberry to the uninitiated it is in fact a small 9 hole golf course called Covesea after the lighthouse of the same name. In the early Spring (not that long now) the yellow sea of gorse comes alive and we know we are emerging from winters grip.
Converging Texture 20 comments
Well I was planning to post this image some 3 hours ago but I started messing about with the crop and 3 hours later I still wasn’t happy but decided to hit save anyway. It was a lot easier when I posted this on Instagram less to think about. All in all it is about the myriad of colours and light n shade which all converge on the building. Classic harsh winter light
Gentle afterglow 19 comments
Here we are in the depths of winter and I realised I have not generated a good old fashioned sunset since mid November – now there is a reason for that of course (I am working when the light departs) but I was down the beach last weekend when this happened and I thought you may like this little chase of light……
Assynt Mono 15 comments
This is a shot I took along time back which compositionally I was happy with but the upper part of the Sky was alittle blown so I thought I would mess around with some infrared & mono interpretations. Anyway the long and the short of it is I rather like this and may well try some more IR shots. Enjoy
Glasgow Sampler 27 comments
Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder
Photographer Captured
Green Descent
Old within New
Bridge over Coloured Water
Still Game
Wing and aPrayer
Docks
Shipbuilding Past
Walking Away
Straight Ahead
Runes
Trapped Animal
Florence?
Finneston
Self
I am the eye in the Sky
Necropolis
Waverley
Armadilio
Queen St
Sail with me – Clachnaharry Sea Lock 18 comments
Some changes then – I have altered the name of the blog – have no fears your subscriptions etc are all intact – in changing the name I am aiming to build my Google SEO. I thought this particular photograph suitable for this change as it is the sea lock which is located at the junction where the Moray Firth and Beauly Firth merge and you can enter the Great Glen onwards ultimately to Loch Ness (home of Nessie). In summary the lock is at a crossroads just like myself. One journey ends and another begin’s …
Currently I am reflecting on 2012 23 comments
Well before I start posting again in earnest – I am having a think on how the last year progressed and how I wish to move forward in the coming year. Those of you who have followed me throughout my on line exploits know my ambition of one day turning pro. I am hopeful the transition to professional photographer will take place in the next 18 months – I intend to conclude my present career over the next 18 months so I can focus fully on the next step. I am starting a 2 year Photography HND to coincide with this transition – subsequently this blog will become a testing ground, where I intend to explore several new aspects of photography which until recently I have only dabbled with. I hope you will follow my ongoing development and enjoy the journey with me. In preparation for my move in to the professional ranks I am re-branding my blog under my own name - keep watching and Happy New Year
Merry Christmas from Elgin Cathedral the ‘Lantern of the North ‘ 35 comments
The Lantern of the North resplendent in it’s winter coat
@skm1963 my recent Instagram’s 19 comments
I use Instagram for some fun and this week with emerging policy amendments – the ‘IG’ community spoke with a firm voice and apparently we were listened to – we shall see
Industrial Horizon 26 comments
A becalmed view stretching across the Cromarty Firth from the Black Isle to Invergordon. A mere 24 hours on from the Spring Tide storms.
Feed the Gulls 15 comments
As we approach Christmas I will be like most of you distracted by family and busy in other areas of my life. So I thought a little humour and then a few of my early back catalog shots to make ease the workload over the holiday period.
In to the Light (looking forwards never back) 16 comments
Although this time of year has it’s qualities the days are far too short for me. I long for a return to longer days where I can seek out joy and pleasure in the coolness of the tree canopy listening to the birds and the babbling brook – hoping to walk out of the shade – feel the warmth of the sun and be exposed to a magnificent vista………………..
Marbled Rust 16 comments
You will have gathered I am messing around with subtle hues and textures currently. This is a retake of an long lens landscape in Glencoe (linked below). On this occasion as well as the contrast with the dead ferns (rusty colour) I have captured the reflection in the Lochan too – not a brilliant image but interesting
Please link back to my most successful image ever Glencoe Glory to see where within that image this one derived from – enjoy!
Napoli – Thunderstorm 4 comments
Another pretty bland view which to be honest I wouldn’t give a second glance towards unless I was witnessing this incredible surreal lighting situation where the sun is setting behind me generating this intense backlight against a stormy sky and it was being punctuated by lightening bursts being filtered by the cloud – One of the most dramatic light dances I have ever witnessed.
Bàgh Shanabhait – Wet n Wild 20 comments
Sandwood Bay (Scottish Gaelic: Bàgh Shanabhait) is a natural bay in Sutherland, on the far north-west coast of mainland Scotland. It is best known for its mile-long beach and Am Buachaille, a sea stack, and lies about 5 miles south of Cape Wrath. Behind the bay’s large dunes, stretches Sandwood Loch – a freshwater loch full of brown and sea trout.
Though remote, and with no road access, the bay is easily reached by a 4-mile long, yet well-trodden and fairly flat, path leading from the gravel car park at the hamlet of Blairmore. Sandwood Bay is part of the Sandwood Estate which is run by the John Muir Trust. The beach is considered to be one of the cleanest and most unspoilt beaches in the whole of mainland Britain.
Loch Beinn A’ Mheadhoin Dam 12 comments
The Scottish Hydro-Electric Power generates clean energy but the cost is a multitude of man-made structures which have to fit in to the natural scenery. This dam is at the head of the beautiful Glen Affric and provides flow regulation and some storage for Fasnakyle power station. The water level in the loch is closely controlled to ensure that the level remains virtually constant, ensuring that the scenic beauty of the upper Glen Affric is affected as little as possible.
Ballandalloch Gatehouse 11 comments
Yes this is just the gatehouse – several miles down the road from the Castle – it is located in the heart of Speyside, near to the famed local whisky distilleries of Cragganmore, Glenlivet, Glenfarclas and Glenfiddich. Surrounded by majestic hills, and with the tumbling waters of the Rivers Spey and Avon flowing through the grounds, the setting is truly magnificent.
A Wash of Colour 18 comments
This is another long lens landscape – I took several shots to get what I was seeing with my eyes, I was messing around shooting across the light. I loved the ruffled patch of water and I loved the light on the trees to the left of the image, but was failing to join them in an interesting way so I moved my perspective more in to the light and hey presto the graduation you can now see. With strong light and reflection fading towards the patch of different water. In the end I moved from being frustrated to being satisfied. I hope you enjoy it too.
Play Misty for Me (#2) 35 comments
At this time of year the days are very short here in Moray and a little darkness can fill your mood – this dusk image seemed to capture that feeling – a lone tree peaking through twilight mist – spooky in a sensual way…….
Blue for You 15 comments
This is an archive repost from the “Burghead Sunset Sessions” a seminal week in November 2011 where I witnessed several wonderful sunsets in the same week.
Gordonstoun Autumnal Walk 17 comments
This is more the kind of drive that you would see in an English Parkland Estate, but the this is the school grounds through which a young Prince Charles would have wandered – the light was dull and flat but the leaves would not be defeated. I had no tripod so placed the camera on my woolly hat – to get the depth of a smaller aperture and used the timer at 1/8 sec.
Arable Seasons 23 comments
I wanted to brighten things up – I know you will be used to seeing reflections in my work – on this occasion however I have used farmland in varied state of being farmed. I like the collection of soft browns and autumn colours all being amplified by the depth of the reflection – but natural enough to display a range of surface textures – enjoy
First taste of Winter – Ben Wyvis 17 comments
Driving towards Inverness this weekend my eyes were drawn by the first dusting of snow on the mountain’s of Easter Ross. I couldn’t resist the temptation of capturing autumn colours contrasted against the snowline. Was even lucky enough to get some good sunshine kindly dance across the peak of Ben Wyvis, Easter Ross. This a long lens landscape taken from the dam at Loch Glascarnoch about 25 miles NW of Inverness.
My most successful Instagram’s and why are you not following me :D 32 comments
These are small snapshots of my most successful Instagram Images – I thought it might be interesting to share, couple of points to note – it is mainly my landscape work but not exclusively which is popular, wildlife on the whole struggles and people crash n burn – moody coastal scenes work every time but then I understand that. Anyway if you want to follow me on Instagram or Twitter just search @skm1963 – I find it fun and relaxing 
Dune Burst 12 comments
I love capturing the light pre-sunrise especially when there is high clouds to catch the light, here the sun has actually risen above the horizon but I have rapidly withdrawn to use the dunes as filter, I hope you like the result as much as me.
A Doe a Deer 11 comments
This was taken on the Rannoch Moor at Kingshouse Hotel right under the gaze of the Buachaille Etive Mòr (Scottish Gaelic: Buachaille Eite Mòr, meaning “the great herdsman of Etive”) clearly they have some sort of deal with the hotel chef’s
Closer to my Heart 21 comments
okay – normal service has been resumed – have a wonderful weekend
Hot n Cold 3 comments
In late Autumn the sun is so low in the sky that it struggles to reach everywhere, resulting in a wonderful contrast between the cool shore and the warm foliage.
Glencoe Glory 48 comments
Possibly one of the most specular sight’s I have ever witnessed, the rainbow was almost missed because of the quality of the existing light and reflections.
I think I would have to place this in my top three personal favourites………….
Early One Morning 17 comments
I hope you enjoy this – because I am no lark!
