My top 12 photography moments from 2022

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”

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”

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”

Fifty-Plus Landscapes from Winter Adventures in the Caledonian Forest

Following an unusually snow-less January, ‘real’ winter has recently returned to the Cairngorms National Park. Over the course of the last few weeks I have been pursuing my passion for exploring the less accessible reaches of the Caledonian Forest. The weather has been relentlessly windy and stormy, but I have found that rather than puttingContinue reading “Fifty-Plus Landscapes from Winter Adventures in the Caledonian Forest”

First Photography of 2022: Torridon and Loch Maree with a New Lens

Our first adventure of 2022 was a brief trip up to the Loch Maree/Torridon area in Wester Ross. Besides the Cairngorms this is probably my favourite area in the Highlands, and it is a place I am coming to know quite well. I’ve enjoyed some memorable times there over the last few years. That said,Continue reading “First Photography of 2022: Torridon and Loch Maree with a New Lens”

2021 was a bizarre year, but here are my twelve most meaningful images.

This is one of those posts that I’ve had to start and restart writing several times. There’s just too much to tell. It’s been a remarkable year in many ways. For better or worse, this has been the first full calendar year where I have put my creative passions squarely front and centre in myContinue reading “2021 was a bizarre year, but here are my twelve most meaningful images.”

The Great Inversion, Part Four: The White Goddess

Day Four: Tuesday 21st December Every great day of photography begins with a plan, a rough prediction of what weather and light might look like, which gives rise to an idea for a photo. Frequently this idea goes out the window as soon as you get outside and compare your prediction to reality, but forContinue reading “The Great Inversion, Part Four: The White Goddess”

The Great Inversion, Part Three: The Edge of Beauty

Day Three: Monday 20th December Scout and I returned to Whitewell in the early morning, not long after sunrise. Once again we ran from the van to the birch trees at the crest of the hill. The thick mist in Aviemore had fooled me; I had assumed it would be much the same here –Continue reading “The Great Inversion, Part Three: The Edge of Beauty”

The Great Inversion, Part Two: Shadow of the Mountain

Day Two: Sunday 19th December The second day of the Great Inversion was Saturday 18th, but since I had to drive south to get my booster shot I wasn’t able to spend much time outdoors. Besides this, I also wanted to write Friday’s account of the mountain. I felt absolutely filled up by that experience,Continue reading “The Great Inversion, Part Two: Shadow of the Mountain”