Schiehallion/Kinloch Rannoch Reflections

This dead tree is located close to the road in fairly shallow water which if you blinked, would miss, and it has definitely been photographed more than once. As you can see on this particular (early March) day, there was not a cloud in sight and still plenty of snow everywhere. If I could zoom out a little bit then you would see I am actually surrounded and standing feet deep in snow but you wouldn’t think it judging from the image.

The water/wind was light but not enough to give the reflections like this so I used a 10-stop filter to extend the exposure to 30 seconds to get a more defined reflection.

Looking back, I would have preferred some clouds as opposed to none, so that I could fill the empty space in the sky, perhaps with the movement of the clouds in the long exposure. Although the contrast between the blue and white also works very well, my eye is always drawn to that space and then there are some days where I just like the simplicity of the image.

There is just never pleasing some people is there?

I will also be announcing the details of webinars that I am launching very soon (fingers crossed for next month) where you will get the chance to join me in remote online sessions on a variety of topics to enhance your photography – more on this soon.

When I visit photographic clubs, I am inundated with questions and advice with requests to provide feedback/comments on a photographer’s own work. Whilst I always make time out to do this when I visit, it is not always possible to speak to everyone so I always invite anyone and everyone to email me at a later date and I always reply to each email that I get. It really is fantastic to hear what people got from my advice or how it helped them and reading all those kind emails thanking me for my time and assistance really is a great feeling.

Aside from that, I will begin to start posting reviews of equipment that I use so people can get an idea of why I use the tools that I do. Hints and tips on image processing/workflow will also be added. I get messages almost daily, requesting advice or more information on the equipment I use or how one can improve in something so I might as well post it on the blog for the benefit of everyone.

I should point out at this time, that I am not doing this because I will be getting a commission from the companies or products that I will be discussing (I wish that were the case!) but it is purely based on the fact that I believe in them and use them personally. If I am ever supplied equipment or a product as a sample or to review, full disclosure to that effect will be made. I will not be saying good things about a product, just because others are. I will be basing my views on my own experience of them and after I have tried them first hand and considering weather or not it is something I will make use of because it will benefit my work. As those who know me, I am open and honest and always give a fair and honest point of view.

As with previous years, I am due to appear at more clubs this year to either give a presentation on my work or a post-production/Q&A evening outlining my workflow and processing tips. The ones in the coming months are:

• Brechin Camera Club – 31st January 2012
• Bon Accord Camera Club – 8th March 2012
• Kirkcaldy Camera Club – 2nd April 2012

I look forward to meeting all the new people at the these locations and seeing those familiar faces again.

Dundee from Newport

On the theme of updated views, this image is from Newport looking back at Dundee across the River Tay, a view I have photographed many times. The tree looks like it has been washed up in the recent storms as it has not been there in the past. The sunset was amazing but I chose to shoot in the opposite direction to catch the last light on the bridge and these ‘remains’, which look like jaws or hands reaching up and just gives an unusual angle to a classic view of the city.

Dundee West End Snow

This was taken last year in December, 5 days before Christmas, after one of the best sunsets in a long time. The weather (as we all know) had been great for photography but not so for everyone else, with the travel chaos and everything else!

Anyway, it seemed the most appropriate image to recap on the year. As with last year, this year has been even better with just some of the things that have happened this past year such as winning the Dundee Corporation Trophy for my images of Dundee again for a second year running and more importantly winning the Network Rail ‘Lines in the Landscape‘ Award in the Take a View Landscape Photographer of the Year 2011 Competition.

As always, thank you for your continued support and I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas with your loved ones and a very Happy New Year. Wishing that 2012 brings you even more joy and happiness. I look forward to hearing from you all in 2012!

Another great view of this place is when the weather is very cold (like last year!) and the reservoir freezes over completely – certainly changes the look of the place but is very slippery so you have to be careful if visiting in those conditions.

Clatto Reservoir joins with Templeton Woods and Camperdown Country Park and angling is available on the reservoir although a lot of people come for a leisurely stroll with the kids.

The first image was just as the sun dipped below the horizon and the second was taken around 5 minutes later. The colour in both images are very different and you could assume they were taken at different days/conditions but just shows it is always worth waiting to see how the sky/light will change.

Clatto Reservoir

Clatto Reservoir – 5 Minutes Later

I have had a lot of media attention and my image has been published in various publications and national press and was even on the BBC Breakfast show. Just some of the online articles about the win (national and local):

• http://www.rail.co/2011/10/24/rail-bridge-image-wins-top-network-rail-prize-in-national-photography-competition/
• http://media.visitbritain.com/content/Detail.aspx?ReleaseID=26815&NewsAreaID=20
• http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2052933/Jack-Frost-bites-Landscape-Photographer-Year-competition-incredible-picture-wintry-scene.html
• http://gouk.com/landscape-photographer-of-the-year/5432/
• http://www.treehugger.com/natural-sciences/trees-are-winners-landscape-photography-year-prize.html
• http://davidmould.co.uk/2011/11/honoured-and-rewarded/
• http://www.dundeewestend.com/2011/11/congratulations-shahbaz.html

Evening Telegraph Article – 24th October 2011

The book that accompanies the competition showcasing all the winning images and some of the commended images is now out and I received my copy last week. These series of books have always been a fantastic collection of the very best in landscape photography and now on it’s fifth volume – it does not disappoint.

Landscape Photographer of the Year – Volume 5

A big thank you to all those who have taken the time to e-mail me with their congratulations – you are all too kind! Not long to go now until the preview night in London…

The image has also won a place in the Awards book and at the eight-week National Theatre exhibition.

Tay Rail Bridge

The number of entries into this competition and indeed the quality of the submissions, means it is very difficult to get shortlisted and only a select few make it to the final so you can imagine what an achievement this is. Even more so, when the winner for this category is chosen by head judge, Charlie Waite, himself! Charlie requires no introduction and is one of the world’s leading Landscape photographers.

The Sunday Times Magazine was the first to show their selection from all the successful images yesterday and Amateur Photographer will then have a feature on the winners (in shops from November). A list of main winners & their images will also be on the Take a view website from the 5th of November. The book is due to be published on October 31st but can be pre-ordered.

I have been very proud to have won a number of competitions over the years, mostly at a local or regional level, but I will be filled with greater pride when adding ‘National Award Winning Photographer‘ and ‘Landscape Photographer of the Year 2011 – Award/Category Winner‘ to my list of accolades/successes.

Thank you to the entire team at Take a View and to Network Rail and congratulations to all the other winners of this competition. I look forward to meeting you all at the prize-giving/preview of the exhibition in December.

Network Rail’s Press Release on the win

This image was taken at the beach, which is very popular during the summer and visiting during high tide and at sunset can give great light and colours.

Broughty Ferry Remains

In this image, I used a slow shutter speed to capture the movement in the waves to give an interesting foreground and add a sense of drama.

I get asked a lot by those new to photography about the best place to learn and pick up skills that will help you improve and DPS, which is one of the best clubs in the country, certainly offers that.

You can visit each week where there are a range of excellent speakers covering a whole host of topics from Nature to Landscape and the full syllabus can be viewed on their website. They also run beginners and Photoshop classes for their members.

I joined the club a few years ago now and have served on the council ever since – it is genuinely a great and friendly atmosphere and you learn a lot from the speakers and the competition/workshop nights. I would certainly recommend that you at least come along and see for yourself on one of the nights and make your own mind up.

Long Exposure Workshop – Aug 11

We starting off at Belhaven Bay at the ‘Bridge to Nowhere‘ and then on to North Berwick to photograph the old harbour pier while the tide was still high. After this, we moved onto Longniddry beach to photography the old boat wreck that can be seen when the tide is on it’s way out (or coming in). Once we had our tea, we then moved on to Carlingnose Point to finish off by visiting the old derelict pier located there.

Bridge at Belhaven Bay

Thankfully, the rain kept away from each of the locations on our arrival and as soon as we left, it seemed to start again but the skies were interesting enough to provide us enough interest.

The second stage of the workshop is to receive some of the images from the attendees and then to show them my workflow and post-processing steps that will help maximise the impact of the final image. I record these sessions so that you have them available in future to refer back to and this is included as part of the workshop and not an additional cost.

If you are interested in attending one of my workshops, then please get in touch and I can provide you with more details.

VisitScotland wished to source some of my images for the Where to Stay 2011 Guide for Perth, Angus and Dundee. The guide is used to provide information about what to see and do in these areas as well as details of accommodation available in the area.

The guide is now available on the VisitScotland website as a PDF download or as an e-brochure.

One of the images used in the guide

VisitScotland Online Guides page →