This is from a wee walk on the West Beach the other evening, the longer evenings have been great but I have been unable to grab the opportunities with a multitude of personal inputs. Where I hope to ease in to my new career but the reality wont allow me to go quietly. This typical Moray lots going on – texture and light changes, reflections etc etc – I hope you enjoy. Your continued support is appreciated and highly motivational – Scott
lots of subtle light varied in the way it is has dappled itself unequally across the sky and wet sand – somewhere in Moray – well you cant have all the details or you will be on my doorstep pinching my great sky’s
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.
It is moments like these that have convinced me to live here on the Moray Coast. That pre dawn moment, the town is still asleep not even the dog walkers are out just an idiot with a tripod – a calm nervous silence is all around.
I apologize for not replying to all of your recent comments but I wanted to share an image before departing for the weekend and I couldn’t do both. I promise to catch up early next week. I wish all the mothers a happy Mothering Sunday so make sure you spoil your Mum for at least one day of the year 
Anyway I don’t post many Black and White landscapes but I thought the contrast in this scene lent itself to some mono treatment. I am rather pleased with it. I edited it in Lightroom 4 which I bought at student rates (I am a student after all) using my PayPal account generated from my photo sales so I actually earned this software which gave me a real thrill. I am hoping the reinvestment will pay for itself. Have a great weekend everyone and happy blogging.
I have been so many locations recently when the sun hasn’t even peaked out from the cloud and I haven’t had the time to hang around for the light to change. This can leave very flat opportunities – until recently the camera would probably have remained in the bag. But as an amateur with limited time out and about I have to deal with what I can get and lets face it this is the Scotland many people are faced with. So your challenge here is to look that bit closer for the light, it is there very subtly – these locations and conditions always generate a calm which relaxes me.
Not a great deal to say here – simply a powerful light show – amplified by the still reflection upon an ebbing tide.
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
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
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.
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……
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
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.
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.
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!
I have posted over 500 images here on WordPress most are dynamic wild Scotland with some fantastic light. This image however is probably at the other end of the spectrum – an underwhelming subtle hue of pink and blue on an abnormally calm summer’s evening. Take time to look at the subtle hue and reflections within this almost Turner like effect.
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.
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.
On the whole I am about Landscape photography but I also love shape and texture in cityscapes. Anyway the bottom line is I felt it was about time for an abstract. On this occasion not using architectural texture but light – I hope you find it interesting and perhaps challenge your perception of my work in some small way.
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 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.
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
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.
okay – normal service has been resumed – have a wonderful weekend
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.
Q – So what do you post after your most successful Photoblog image – bar none!
A – Something completely different – a Church and a Bridge gotta be safe really
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………….
Thought I would share a little Glaswegian abstract – this is the magnificent Riverside museum being used to reflect the cranes of Yarrows Shipyard (BAE Systems) – keep your eyes peeled I have arguably my best ever photograph in the pipeline and I would hate for you to miss it – Have a great weekend!
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)
