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
Archive for the ‘Skyscape’ Tag
A Brush of Light 44 comments
Complex Weather – Loch Morlich 33 comments
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.
a hint of what’s to come 34 comments
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.
The Five Sisters of Kintail 32 comments
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.
Overwhelmed 23 comments
Not a great deal to say here – simply a powerful light show – amplified by the still reflection upon an ebbing tide.
Covesea Starlight Dance 20 comments
This is a shot I have been after for while now but it had been to windy for lengthy exposures. The other challenge was only a new moon in the sky filtered by clouds meant using a torch to manipulate the settings. Most notable challenge was focus with insufficient light for the autofocus to hang on then it was back to good old fashioned manual focus – equally challenging without cross-hairs – but trial and error prevailed – I like the lick of cloud breaking up the starry backdrop. I learnt a lot and am really starting to enjoy night photography – there are some excellent results to be had.
Crovie at the edge (Tiltshift) 25 comments
I seen an image of one of the Moray coastal fishing villages which I knew was tweaked but I didn’t understand how so I went along took my own shot and have attempted the same effect – I spent a lot of time trial and error but think I have got the hang of it. Anyway you wont see too many of these – but I do feel this particular location works well for the tilt-shift process. Tilt-shift for the uninformed is Gaussian blur applied across all but a band of the image which you want to remain normal plus a little boost the contrast and saturation offering a dreamy toy village effect.
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
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.
Light Box – a call from the Heavens 52 comments
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
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
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 …
@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.
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………………..
Osprey Height’s – Still Game 14 comments
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.
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.
Burghead – Pinky Blue Hue 7 comments
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.
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.
The Trilogy Silhouette 14 comments
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 
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.
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.
Toy Yacht 12 comments
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.
Island Life 14 comments
Not as dramatic as some of my recent images but I like it’s subtle and varied light sources, the two bursts of light on the island and the hint of some special light in the distance. My next post connect’s the two images and demonstrates how radically different images can be achieved by using a variety of locations and lenses.
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………….
Bridge over Coloured Water 10 comments
A lovely montage of Glasgow using the Clyde Arc Bridge to Frame the Armadillo and Finneston Crane – this was my first night shoot using a tripod and prolonged exposure – so was a big learning curve but I have learnt lots.
Early One Morning 17 comments
I hope you enjoy this – because I am no lark!
Beyond Thunderdome 14 comments
This is the dome of a shopping mall in Livingston Scotland – offering some lovely silvery contrast to the imminent downpour.
Moray Showcase (Carousel Gallery) 18 comments
A little puff of cloud 5 comments
late autumn sun almost at the death lays artificial warm tones on the rocky eroded coastline of Moray – what you cant sense is how bitterly cold it is as the wind chill bites at me.
Inchdrewer Autumn 4 comments
Inchdrewer is owned by. Count Robin Ian Evelyn Stuart de la Lanne Mirrlees of Inchdrewer, Baron of Inchdrewer and Laird of Bernera Mor (an island in the Outer Hebrides), was aid-de-camp to Peter II, the last King of Yugoslavia, who as a token of his esteem, granted him the title Prince of Incoronata! Although an avowed anti-monarchist, the Count (his mother was a French Countess) has apparently started using his royal.
He has led a ‘dashing life’ and it is said that Ian Fleming modelled the character of James Bond on him! I presume the ‘concrete’ renovation work in Inchdrewer was done at the count’s behest, however he is in his 80s now and spends most of his time on his estate in the Hebrides, which is why Inchdrewer sadly needs some love.
