2022 has been pretty good to me. I’ve had a lot of fun, a lot of personal and professional growth, and naturally a lot of great encounters with Scotland’s wild beauty. I’m not sure how I managed to fit in as much photography as I did, as most of my time over the last 6Continue reading “My top 12 photography moments from 2022”
Author Archives: David Russell
The era of AI Imagery is here. What now?
My social feeds are full of one thing right now – photographers talking about AI generated images. And it surely promises to be the biggest disruption to the field of photography since the advent of digital itself. Firstly, what is it and how does it work? What we’re talking about here are systems that createContinue reading “The era of AI Imagery is here. What now?”
A 2 Day Wild-camping Photography Workshop
Recently Allan joined me for a 2 day landscape photography and wild-camping adventure in the Cairngorms. Initially we had hoped to get up onto the Cairngorm plateau, make a high camp, and perhaps shoot sunset+sunrise from the summits. As luck would have it the weather decided not to play ball. The forecast for our twoContinue reading “A 2 Day Wild-camping Photography Workshop”
Mountains, Trees and Sunshine – Perfect Conditions for Glen Nevis
Last week I had the pleasure to deliver another of my popular half day photography workshops to three keen learners. Dave, Sam and Ben joined me in Glen Nevis for an afternoon in one of Scotland’s most beautiful glens with our cameras. Glen Nevis is without doubt one of the most spectacular places in theContinue reading “Mountains, Trees and Sunshine – Perfect Conditions for Glen Nevis”
5 Challenges and 5 Opportunities of Summer Landscape Photography
Summer is generally regarded as being the most difficult time of year to produce good landscape photographs. But, if you understand the reasons behind this then you can choose your opportunities wisely and still make productive use your time. The Challenges 1. The Sun is High High angled sunlight is the bane of a goodContinue reading “5 Challenges and 5 Opportunities of Summer Landscape Photography”
Faraway Tree on A Distant Hill: My Glen Eanaich Obsession
The Beginning New Years Day, 2019. Glen Eanaich was its usual self; brooding and dark. The waters of the river were the colour of hammered steel, flowing through a glen so long and broad that you could comfortably fit Aviemore inside it. At its head stood the grim cliff faces of Sgoran Dubh Mor andContinue reading “Faraway Tree on A Distant Hill: My Glen Eanaich Obsession”
Leave the camera alone. Why 99% of your energy should go into the landscape itself.
One of the biggest mistakes we make as photographers is focusing our energy on learning new photographic techniques, processing skills, or obsessing over equipment. We should be focusing on the land itself. Where We Go Wrong Most photographers who I’ve taught and guided for are making the same mistake. They are far too concerned withContinue reading “Leave the camera alone. Why 99% of your energy should go into the landscape itself.”
Finding Amazing Moments in Scotland’s Most Challenging Conditions
Last week (2nd April) I enjoyed my first proper winter hill day in quite while. It was a fine bluebird day, and I enjoyed a snowy hike up to the summit of Creag an Leth Choin, aka Lurcher’s Crag. One my favourite places in the Cairngorms, the summit provides superb views of the Lairig Ghru,Continue reading “Finding Amazing Moments in Scotland’s Most Challenging Conditions”
Please, I beg you – don’t burn down my forest.
Spring is finally coming. And I’m absolutely terrified of what it seems certain to bring. Fire. In March we had a spell of warm weather that lasted just over ten days. But that was time enough for our landscape to suffer a terrible spate of destructive wildfires. The Isle of Lewis burned. Ben Lomond burned.Continue reading “Please, I beg you – don’t burn down my forest.”
An Equinox Adventure: Golden Hour Photography at Stunning Loch Maree
Moonrise We arrived at Loch Maree in darkness, pulling into our usual spot beside the shore in an inconspicuous layby. The engine gave way to quietness; the headlights to darkness. From that moment a deep contentment rose in me. We were away at last. We were back at last. At home in a wild place.Continue reading “An Equinox Adventure: Golden Hour Photography at Stunning Loch Maree”