I am afraid I have not been out and about recently as I am extremely busy which disappoints me immensely so rather than dig in to the archives this time I have decided to publish an image which has lain on the cutting room floor so to speak. I promise to catch up with all you wonderful blogs over the coming weeks. Enjoy
Apologies rather busy just now and not getting out and about so have been delving in to the archives and this appeared.I was drawn to the sun attempting to break through the thick cloud over the Cairngorm’s – with limited effect.
I am not of Catholic Faith however as today was the inauguration of Pope Francis I thought I would share a shot I took of the Sistine Chapel in Rome – The Chapel ceiling, painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512, is a cornerstone work of High Renaissance art. The ceiling is that of the large Papal Chapel built within the Vatican between 1477 and 1480. The chapel is the location for Papal Conclaves and many important services. The ceiling’s various painted elements form part of a larger scheme of decoration within the Chapel, which includes the fresco The Last Judgement on the sanctuary wall, also by Michelangelo.Central to the ceiling decoration are nine scenes from the Book of Genesis of which the Creation of Adam is the best known, having an iconic standing equalled only by Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the hands of God and Adam being reproduced in countless imitations. The complex design includes several sets of individual figures, both clothed and nude, which allowed Michelangelo to fully demonstrate his skill in creating a variety of poses for the human figure, and have provided an enormously influential pattern book of models for other artists ever since.
Well my local icon wasn’t satisfied by playing second fiddle and basking in the shadow of some moody light. Red as my iconic friend is known wanted to be centre stage this time. I have several ideas in the pipeline which may become known as the Phonebox series or Red Moods – I can hear the gasps of anticipation.
![Well for those who have just started following my Photoblog you may not have connected with my captivation with Italy - her majesty determined that I have to spend 4 months in Naples - what was I to do. I travelled far and wide loved Italy in every way - I was brought up in the bosom of the Church of Scotland - but the Italian churches were the most amazing spaces. This is the Majolica CloisterFamous is the cloister of the Clarisses, transformed in 1742 by Domenico Antonio Vaccaro with the unique addition of majolica tiles in Rococò style.[5] The brash color floral decoration makes this cloister, with octagonal columns in pergola-like structure, likely unique and would seem to clash with the introspective world of cloistered nuns. The cloister arcades are also decorated by frescoes, now much degraded.](http://skm1963.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/santa-chiara-balanced.jpg?w=1000&h=743)
Well for those who have just started following my Photoblog you may not have connected with my captivation with Italy. Her Majesty determined that I should to spend 4 months in Napoli – what was I to do. Naturally, I travelled far and wide – I loved Italy in every way. In Scotland I was brought up in the bosom of the Church of Scotland – but the Italian churches were the most amazing spaces. This is the Majolica Cloister known as the ‘Cloister of the Clarisses, transformed in 1742 by Domenico Antonio Vaccaro with the unique addition of majolica tiles in Rococò style. The brash colour floral decoration define this cloister, with octagonal columns in pergola-like structure, likely unique and would seem to clash with the introspective world of cloistered nuns. The cloister arcades are also decorated by frescoes, now much degraded. Here you find it abandoned at the height of the sun only a Scotsman would venture out in such heat.
Well I was hoping to challenge you a little here – this is taking my minimal theme to the extreme – have I gone to far 
Not a great deal to say here – simply a powerful light show – amplified by the still reflection upon an ebbing tide.
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 
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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.
Using an old Post Office Red Telephone Box to filter the sunlight bursting through the cloud after sunrise – the filter generated some really dramatic light – I particularly like the chair drowned in the light drama
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……
This is probably the image that made me take photography more seriously – for a long time I regarded it as my best shot – the last time I rolled this out was May last year and it received a mere 8 likes (naturally I was dissapointed but was not long in to blogging so no real surprises. Anyway this shot is a wet film rescan and is now 25 years old – so here is my question has it stood the test of time? Secondly do you think it reflects my style as you have come to know it? Any feedback would be appreciated.
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 …
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
right that’s me sorted for the bells – lang may yer lum reek – see you in 2013
The Lantern of the North resplendent in it’s winter coat
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
A becalmed view stretching across the Cromarty Firth from the Black Isle to Invergordon. A mere 24 hours on from the Spring Tide storms.
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………………..
For the the Scot’s amongst you or indeed those who steep themselves in Scottish Culture. This is the scene for Cult Scottish TV comedy about the lives of two OAP’s Jack and Victor and their views on how it used to be in the old days and how bad it is now. For those whom haven’t seen the program you will just have to enjoy this high-rise reflection and long for summer to return.
Well as you tolerated my Glaswegian Social Commentary, I thought I may continue to indulge some people photography – here are three ladies soaking up the view in beautiful light at Oldshoremore, Sutherland. The view which they are not sharing with you is wild and magnificent. First and foremost I loved the light, but I clocked the other person dissapearing (hands on hips) in to the distance and the wonderful white house isolated by the dark sky. I immediately thought they had been socially excluded from the bench threw a temper tantrum and walked off in a huff.
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.
This is the story of the simple silhouette – the sunset was demonstrating potential, so I hung around in anticipation and hope – the scene which was unfolding was nice but unspectacular. The large ball of fire was becoming filtered behind a wall of cloud – just so-so nothing more. I noticed how defined the black lighthouse was against the sky and spotted the seagulls floating on high – but in the distance the noise of the “Big Yellow Taxi” our Search and Rescue Helicopter (Sea-King) and bingo I saw the final image. I adjusted to a faster shutter speed and waited for the helicopter to swing in to profile. Press and the image was captured thus creating the Trilogy Silhouette – an interesting image enjoy 
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.
It is my view that our freedom to live our lives in relative peace and have choices and opinions is down to those people who gave the ultimate sacrifice
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
Inverness Castle (Scottish Gaelic: Caisteal Inbhir Nis) sits on a cliff overlooking the River Ness, in Inverness, Scotland. The red sand stone structure evident today was built in 1836 by architect William Burn. It is built on the site of an 11th century defensive structure. Today, it houses Inverness Sheriff Court. There has been a castle at this site for many centuries. The castle itself is not open to the public but the grounds are.
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
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.
I thought it would be worth showing you the special piece of light I was referring to in my previous post. I have posted this image previously back in the spring but held my previous blog ‘Island Life’ back. Interestingly I often do this if I have managed to get 2/3 decent shots around the same subject, I will drip feed them in. This allows me to keep the subject’s I cover diverse and try not to bore my audience with too many similar posts (that’s the theory anyway). Another interesting point is this is landscape which has been isolated by a long lens as opposed to the more traditional wide-angle lens generally associated with landscape photography.
okay – normal service has been resumed – have a wonderful weekend
Thought I would challenge my ‘norm’ and offer a shape and texture sequence – what do you see
Based in Lossiemouth, Scotland. My main interest is in landscape, seascape and skyscape photography, equally I enjoy shape and texture imagery. UK Photo Sales & USA Photo Sales
my photoblog is Scott Marshall Photography (@skm1963)
