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Robert
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I have been before but didn't have much time on the island, or a camera! There must be some classic photo opportunities but I won't have a lot of time to search for them. I have to get Christopher back in time to go to Turkey with his Mum next week. Any suggestions welcome. I am planning to visit the Falkirk Wheel, a concession to Christopher: https://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/falkirk-wheel/ The Explorers Garden at Pitlochry: http://www.explorersgarden.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3&Itemid=68 And the Cluny House Gardens: http://www.clunyhousegardens.com/index.php I am hoping for good light at Eilean Donan Castle, the classic Scottish icon: http://www.eileandonancastle.com Will be taking the D3 and D200-IR and a small assortment of lenses, not forgetting a nice heavy tripod! Do I take the 300 f2.8??? I am bound to have a golden opportunity to use it if I don't take it... OTOH I want to travel light. |
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Eric
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Robert wrote:I have been before but didn't have much time on the island, or a camera! There must be some classic photo opportunities but I won't have a lot of time to search for them. I have to get Christopher back in time to go to Turkey with his Mum next week. I think Jan Crane is the best person to advise you on the Isles these days. It's many years since I went Munro bagging in the Cullins. The Quiraing is a well used area for movies due to its spectacular landscape. Claigan beach for coral collecting! When you go to the Falkirk wheel go and see the Kelpies just across town ...brilliant structures! http://www.thehelix.co.uk/things-to-do/the-kelpies/ Ps Don't bother about a boat ride on the Falkirk wheel, by the way. It's just up ...turn around... and down... with a noisy commentary and very little to see. |
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jk
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I agree with Eric. Jan or Judith may be able to give you specific advice on locations. You must go to see the Kelpies, especially at night as they get lit up. It is on my To Visit list when I am next in Scotland. |
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Eric
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jk wrote:I agree with Eric. Jan or Judith may be able to give you specific advice on locations. Kelso has the original models (1/10 size) for the final structures in the market square. They are big enough...but the final ones are huuuuge. Google Andy Scott's other worldwide sculptures. Great work. |
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Eric
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jk wrote:I agree with Eric. Jan or Judith may be able to give you specific advice on locations. Oops forgot about the lovely Judith!  |
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jk
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Eric you know that you like a good handbagging!. I think she might be away on one of her holiday trips at present so you are same for the time being. |
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Eric
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jk wrote:Eric you know that you like a good handbagging!. How much will it cost, for you to delete my post?  |
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Robert
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Eric wrote:jk wrote: |
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Robert
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Thanks for the suggestions, will try to get up to Falkirk tomorrow night, not aware of Kelpies, will read up. I have been googling a bit about Skye, I am very excited at the prospect, the first time I went I was very underwhelmed but I now realise we didn't explore anywhere and obviously missed everything. Some of the photographers writeup's on Skye have some very impressive images and suggestions. Even checking out some of the photo's on Google Earth reveal some amazing scenery and landscapes. I am wondering if a week will be long enough... |
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Eric
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Robert wrote:Thanks for the suggestions, will try to get up to Falkirk tomorrow night, not aware of Kelpies, will read up. Answer...No. I once spent 3days just trying to photograph golden eagles. lol Kelpies are a must when in Falkirk...only a mile or so away from the Wheel. You can actually see them, from the top of the wheel! There are tours INSIDE the Kelpies at some times...to see the construction methods. They at sited right next to the motorway with Baron's head ( can't remember the other ones name) looking over the trees. It's quite startling if you don't expect it and frankly a bit dangerous. The driver in front of me slowed to get a better view causing me to brake!  I mention this because if you passing that way at night you can take a detour and get some floodlight shots....it's free access! |
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Robert
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Eric wrote:Robert wrote: That's the plan... We setting off in a few minutes, sans D200 IR because there seems to be constant cloud cover until the day we have to be back here.  Will drive straight to Kelpies, hopefully they will be lit up tonight, then the Falkirk Wheel first thing tomorrow, the two botanic gardens then off to Skye, via. Mallaig and the ferry. I have some locations pencilled in which combine a modest walk and some spectacular scenes, will see what happens, the weathers forecast to be changeable so that will present a challenge. Also many opportunities, IF I can turn them round into spectacular images, that's the real challenge. One thing, I won't be able to blame the gear!  |
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Eric
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Robert wrote:Eric wrote: Not using the road bridge then? NB FOLLOW SIGNS FOR 'HELIX CENTRE'.....'Kelpies' don't seem to be signposted as well. |
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Eric
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In case you don't seem them in daylight....here's ones we did earlier. Ps ...that's Jan in the red coat. Attachment: image.jpeg (Downloaded 40 times) |
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Eric
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....and me in a similar red coat. Jan's jovial positioning of me being watched by Duke ( remembered the other ones name,!) I keep telling her to position my grey hair in front of dark backgrounds!! She never remembers.  I suppose it makes a change having a dirty great horse coming out of my forehead. It's usually a grey fluffy cloud!! Positioning is everything. Attachment: image.jpeg (Downloaded 40 times) |
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jk
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Looks like you had the place to yourself almost. Nice images. |
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Eric
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jk wrote:Looks like you had the place to yourself almost. Photographically, the most annoying part of the location is the myriad of overhead electricity cables that traverse the site. Another recommendation sfor night photography. |
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Robert
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Have many nice (I think) pix taken in the dark cause it took so long to find the place! My sat nav seems to like detours... Am at Mallaig waiting for the ferry. The gardens were quite good but hard work, all steps and steep paths. Looking forward to a relaxing few days on Skye. Just hope the weather is as good as it was today. |
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jk
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Robert, you need to get a Ray Ninness Trolley! Makes the movement of lots of heavy gear much easier. |
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Bob Bowen
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Hope you come back with your 'troosers'. I'm old enough to remember Andy Stewart. |
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Eric
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Bob Bowen wrote:Hope you come back with your 'troosers'. I'm old enough to remember Andy Stewart. Let the wind blow high...let the wind blow low Thru the streets in ma kilt I'll go....... You've got me at it now!!! |
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Eric
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Robert wrote:Have many nice (I think) pix taken in the dark cause it took so long to find the place! That's a shame. Try them again on the way home....now you found them. Yes it was a tortuous route. Safe journeys. |
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Robert
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Didn't detour back that way Eric, there will be another time, now I have found them. May even get to the Falkirk Wheel next time. Just starting to go through our images. Christopher has been using the D3300, Michael is at work now and doesn't have time to go on our jaunts any more. I am amazed at the quality of some of Christopher's photo's. Admittedly the D3300 is set on fully auto, even so he has made some really nice photographs entirely on his own with very little input from me. He seems very fluid with the camera controls, zooming in on detail to check focus sharpness after he takes the shot, deleting it and retaking if he isn't happy with it. This is one of the first I have processed, the ISO 100 was a mistake, should have been ISO 200, the previous images had been a waterfall and I had reduced the ISO to help get the creamy effect in the flowing water but forgot to reset it. The Sligachan Bridge, Isle of Skye; D3, Nikkor 50mm f1.4 @ 1/500 sec, f4 ISO 100 Attachment: Screen Shot 2016-07-31 at 08.06.47.jpg (Downloaded 26 times) |
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Robert
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One of the waterfalls at the Fairy Pools at the head of Glen Brittle. Unfortunately this was the only one I captured. An ND filter would have been a great advantage for this one but I didn't have one with me and we had to leave before I could try other techniques. Glen Brittle, Isle of Skye; D3, Nikkor 50mm f1.4 @ 1/25 sec, f16 ISO 100. Attachment: Screen Shot 2016-07-31 at 08.52.14.jpg (Downloaded 24 times) |
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Robert
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The Kelpies in Blue: D3, Nikkor 80-200mm f2.8 @ 80mm, 1/3 sec, f5.6 ISO 1600. Attachment: Screen Shot 2016-07-31 at 09.28.41.jpg (Downloaded 26 times) |
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Robert
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The Kelpies in Yellow: D3, Nikkor 80-200mm f2.8 @ 80mm, 1/4 sec, f5.6 ISO 1600. Attachment: Screen Shot 2016-07-31 at 09.46.06.jpg (Downloaded 25 times) |
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Robert
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The Kelpies in Violet: D3, Nikkor 18-35mm f3.5-4.5 @ 18mm, 1/3 sec, f7.1 ISO 4000. Attachment: Kelpi Violet Reflection.jpg (Downloaded 24 times) |
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Eric
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Thanks Robert...we never saw them at night. Personally I prefer them lit in white light for some reason? It's also interesting that although spectacular when lit, somehow they don't seem as imposing as in daylight when against black sky. The last shot with the sky less dark does seem to recapture this dominance despite being further away. I think it's my favourite. Well done. |
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Robert
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Eric wrote:Thanks Robert...we never saw them at night. Personally I prefer them lit in white light for some reason? It's also interesting that although spectacular when lit, somehow they don't seem as imposing as in daylight when against black sky. The last shot with the sky less dark does seem to recapture this dominance despite being further away. I think it's my favourite. Well done. Thanks Eric, without your suggestion I would never have known of their existence. This one is a vertical panorama. We arrived about 10 pm and must have spent a couple of hours capturing them. It was definitely a challenge, it was raining quite hard when we arrived. D3, Nikkor 18-35mm f3.5-4.5 @ 35mm, 1/4 sec, f7.1 ISO 4000. Attachment: _D3A9250-Pano-Edit.jpg (Downloaded 24 times) |
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Robert
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For you Eric, in white! It was almost the first one I took, the fist one was blurred. This one is the furthest away, almost from the car park. D3, Nikkor 80-200mm f2.8 @ 135mm, 1/5 sec, f4.5 ISO 1600. Attachment: Screen Shot 2016-07-31 at 13.59.02.jpg (Downloaded 25 times) |
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Robert
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A complete change of tac, my trip included a visit to the 'Scottish Explorers' garden at Pitlochry. Despite not really being prime flowering season there were some wonderful blooms on display. I tried to do them justice but didn't succeed in all cases. On the Saturday evening before we left for Skye last Tuesday morning, I was browsing on eBay, I spotted a Nikkor 105mm Micro f4 "FILM" lens @ £33.50 I kept my eye on it and bid for and won it that night. Not sure if the "FILM" bit put people off but what a bargain! Even more of a surprise was it arrived minutes before we left for Skye. This is one of the first images I have made with it... Well worth the extravagance I think! I doubt if it will ever see film again but it works very well with the D3. D3, Nikkor Micro 105mm f4; @ 1/640 sec, f5.6 ISO 1600. Attachment: Screen Shot 2016-07-31 at 14.31.23.jpg (Downloaded 25 times) |
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Eric
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Robert wrote:For you Eric, in white! It was almost the first one I took, the fist one was blurred. This one is the furthest away, almost from the car park. Thanks...still prefer the distant shot and the new portrait one. On this last one you haven't separated the heads ( I had some like that in daylight!!) and again the sky is too dark...you lose some of the outline that defines them and their size. IMHO. Shame you didn't get to the Falkirk wheel. It's clever engineering and another dynamic subject, with a water bowl for reflections...when the wind doesn't blow! |
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Robert
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I think this is a Berberis... D3, Nikkor Micro 105mm f4; @ 1/8000 sec, f5.6 ISO 1100. Attachment: Screen Shot 2016-07-31 at 15.41.39.jpg (Downloaded 24 times) |
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Robert
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As we were crossing the Isle of Skye I spotted a site where someone had been cutting peat. I stopped to show Christopher what it was and while we were exploring I spotted what appeared to be a tiny orchid, hiding in a clump of grass. I am not sure exactly what species it is but I think it's dactylorhiza majalis or the Western Marsh Orchid it seems to best fit that description. From the descriptions I have found it seems a little small because the descriptions I have seen report a large flower, this was very small example but perhaps the harsh environment caused that? The flower would be no more than 20mm across, maybe less. D3, Nikkor Micro 105mm f4; @ 1/250 sec, f8, ISO 450. Attachment: Screen Shot 2016-07-31 at 16.39.08.jpg (Downloaded 24 times) |
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Robert
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Another change of tack, the Sunset over Ardtreck Point looking towards the Outer Hebrides mainly South and North Uist and possibly Harris. D3, Nikkor 18-35mm f3.5-4.5; @ 30mm, 1/400 sec, f9, ISO 400. Attachment: Screen Shot 2016-07-31 at 17.10.41.jpg (Downloaded 23 times) |
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Robert
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The Old Man of Storr, I had hoped to walk up to this feature but it was almost impossible to park anywhere near, it was absolutely thronging with tourists, I would have to be up there at dawn to get it clear of people, there was a constant stream of visitors flocking up the hill for a closer look. Attachment: The Old Man of Storr.jpg (Downloaded 29 times) |
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Eric
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Robert wrote:The Old Man of Storr, I had hoped to walk up to this feature but it was almost impossible to park anywhere near, it was absolutely thronging with tourists, I would have to be up there at dawn to get it clear of people, there was a constant stream of visitors flocking up the hill for a closer look. Love it...brings back fond memories. I MUST go back .....when the tourists have gone. |
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Eric
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Robert wrote:As we were crossing the Isle of Skye I spotted a site where someone had been cutting peat. I stopped to show Christopher what it was and while we were exploring I spotted what appeared to be a tiny orchid, hiding in a clump of grass. Errr...a certain person says its Pink (Wooly) Lousewort. I will let you email her to telll her she is wrong. Attachment: image.jpeg (Downloaded 22 times) |
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Eric
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A nice collection of images Robert. |
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Robert
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Eric wrote:Errr...a certain person says its Pink (Wooly) Lousewort. No need! A certain person is absolutely right.  It looked like an orchid... |
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Robert
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Thank you Eric, I really enjoyed taking them, I have been to Skye before but never explored 'in depth'. There are many places I would like to revisit, Particularly Glen Brittle and Talisker Bay, which I didn't have time to explore properly. There are many nooks and crannies down back lanes which are well worth exploring but after 5 days driving, exploring and photographing I was worn out. Christopher was getting difficult and perhaps a bit bored, so I decided to stop and come back home to see what I have... I am delighted with the D3, I am still getting used to it and I am beginning to know what lens I need for a particular subject. I took the 55 Micro, maybe I should have used it instead of the 50 f1.4 for some shots. The 105 Micro is a dream lens, it pairs beautifully with the D3. I think it may be one of my most used lenses from now on. I could do with a medium zoom lens to pair with the 18-35mm f3.5-4.5 from about 30 to say 80 or 90, to cover that mid range, needn't be an f2.8, something slower would be fine. This is the scene on the path to the Glen Brittle waterfalls. It was quieting off by then. Finding a parking place was difficult to say the least. As we drove into the car par one couple told us there were no spaces, well since I was already committed with two cars behind me I kept going. There was a space that no sensible person would have used... on the edge of a precipice with mud up to the axles. I took it. This is the path down to the waterfalls: Attachment: Screen Shot 2016-07-31 at 20.50.22.jpg (Downloaded 21 times) |
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Eric
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Sadly it's one of the problems with modern world...too many people with too much spare time. There are crowds whenever you go anywhere these days. I am glad we did our climbing and wilderness walks back in the 70/80s....when carparks were.... wherever you left it. An amusing Sottish adventure story was when we took our caravan to Kinlochewe in wester Ross back in the early 80s. We planned to climb Slioch which was on the opposite shore of Loch Maree to the campsite. The old guide books said "leave your car at the eastern end of the loch and follow the old mail track along the northern shore to the base of the mountain". Which we faithfully did...a tortuous up and down twisty path of several miles, which was quite exhausting before we even started to climb. (The blokes who delivered mail must have been tough as nails and fit as mountain sheep). I took some nice shots of a Great Northern Diver static on its nest ( it had never seen humans before I surmised, lol). Halfway up Slioch, Jan fell and slid down the mountain gathering tons of mud in her nether regions. After I stopped laughing I was force marched by an angry woman all the way back to car....and back to the campsite for a shower. Next day we repeated the process .....except the falling bit ....and did our spectacular walk/climb. Exhausted and glowing bright red from the wind and sun, we sat in the local pub that evening ( they didn't need the fire they all sat round our faces) We regaled the people with the story of the tortuous route around the loch end until the landlord calmly in a broad Scottish accent said "Did you no get the Gillie to row you across?" Apparently the Gillie lived in the cottage at the campsite gate and for a few shillings he would row you straight across the Loch to the foot of Slioch. Jan was silent...... till we returned to the caravan later that night. Local knowlege is wonderful thing...except in hindsight.  |
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jk
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Nice story Eric.  Sometimes these guidebooks miss out the really important information! |
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Eric
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jk wrote:Nice story Eric. Of course this was before the Internet. But a bit more studying of the map beforehand might have raised the question of crossing the loch. This is the route we took... Attachment: image.jpeg (Downloaded 24 times) |
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Robert
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Good story Eric, I made a similar faux pas when I took her majesty to Windsor Great Park, having been before, I 'knew the way', well I sort of did... but I took the wrong side of Virginia Water, turned a short walk into a marathon pram push of about six miles if my memory serves me right. We did get to see many interesting items in the park which few sane people do, like a full size totem pole presented to the Queen by a North American tribe and other similarly interesting items, but that did little to off set the pain when she discovered we could have got to where we wanted to be in a few minutes walk... Needless to say, we returned to the car the short way. |
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jk
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Eric, I trust you used your ViewRanger or WikiLoc application on your ipad or iphone to produce that trace of your walk. |
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Eric
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jk wrote:Eric, I trust you used your ViewRanger or WikiLoc application on your ipad or iphone to produce that trace of your walk. I confess it's not mine...nicked from a climbing site. But it shows I am not the only one that..."no asked the Gillie". |
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Eric
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Robert wrote:Good story Eric, I made a similar faux pas when I took her majesty to Windsor Great Park, having been before, I 'knew the way', well I sort of did... but I took the wrong side of Virginia Water, turned a short walk into a marathon pram push of about six miles if my memory serves me right. We did get to see many interesting items in the park which few sane people do, like a full size totem pole presented to the Queen by a North American tribe and other similarly interesting items, but that did little to off set the pain when she discovered we could have got to where we wanted to be in a few minutes walk... Needless to say, we returned to the car the short way. Jan and I had our first full day date at Virginia Water in 1967. We haven't changed at all..... Attachment: image.jpeg (Downloaded 20 times) |
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highlander
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Absolutely endless options for photography on the way to the Isle of Skye and the isle itself. Much visits would be Eilean Donan Castle on the way through, try taking photos from the Skye side a bit further along at the Community Centre carpark for less common angles. Views from the hills above also good. Depending on which way you come up, but assuming from the lakes you'll take the most obvious route, the Kelpies will be rather out of your way. Worth an overnight stop and combining with Stirling Castle and the monument to the Bruce of course. Stop off at Gretna might also be worth it, lunch is a good time. On skye itself, Portree isn't that exciting, but heading to any of the lochs or into the Cuillins will be rewarding but I prefer to head right to the Uig end of Skye and the Old Man of Storr etc. Gets VERY busy in season, go early or late in day and you'll still be surrounded by other photographers (I'm blaming Outlander). Don't miss the red cuillin, not as spectacular as the black cuillin but still worth an effort in warm late afternoon sunshine. For wildlife, you may get both Sea and Golden Eagles, Kylekin for Sea Eagles as there is a good hide (pricey though). Let me know your route and I will send you off into some other bits that suit. Also let me know if you're camping! I have some does and don'ts that might help maximise your chances of good evening shots and at least trying to avoid the midges. Attachment: untitled-142.jpg (Downloaded 15 times) |
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highlander
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Nearly forgot: Fairy Glen & Glen Brittle, Loch Brittle (stay at Glenbrittle campsite if camping) Loch Coriusk with Bla Bheinn behind Suisnish clearance villages remains Dunvegan Castle, if you like that sort of thing |
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highlander
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Glencoe, Loch Leven, and the Glen Coe glens/Black Mount/Glen Rannoch are also all worth stopping on the way (image sunset Loch Leven from the village of Glencoe in February!) Attachment: untitled-133.jpg (Downloaded 15 times) |
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Robert
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Hey thanks Jan, we did get to Glen Brittle but Chris was getting bored and started playing up so we headed home. I definitely want to Skye visit again, maybe even this year, mid September before it starts turning to winter. We passed Eilean Donan Castle on the way home after the bridge, we went over from Malaig to Skye on the ferry. Didn't stop at the castle, probably should have but I was a bit weary after 6 days of photography and exploring Skye's minor roads. A chap from the local Photo club has a spectacular photo of a Sea Eagle lifting a Salmon from a Loch, it seems they train the Sea Eagles to do it almost to order by attracting the Salmon with bait. It's a very expensive way of getting a picture though. He freely admits it was baited. |
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jk
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Good pictures Jan. |
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Robert
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jk wrote:Good pictures Jan. Yes indeed, sorry, particularly like the Loch Leven sunset. Ranoch Moor is one of my favourite places, difficult to stop at some of the best views. I have some pix which I took at midnight at the top of Glen Coe with the D200, I would love to get some similar with the D3. I suspect the Eilean Donan Castle needs the light to be right to get a spectacular photograph, probably needs a day on it's own to explore the angles and to get different options with the tide. I doubt it will be mirror calm too often! Will have a go next trip! Thank you for all the suggestions, much appreciated.  |
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highlander
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Eileen Donan's greatest feature is what happens when the tide goes out...the stink can be amazing and the midges overwhelming! I am surprised they got into as many fights as they did, they must have had impeccable timing. The biggest problem the castle faces is that it has been photographed from every conceivable angle and in every conceivable weather and light, and we get a lot of weather (and not so much light). I find shots from the water and from the hillside are becoming more popular as people seek out alternatives. They have a very good Facebook page which has regular photographic updates to inspire and annoy in equal measure. The Loch Leven shot was pure luck. It was February and I was camping (yes, in Scotland we are all a little bit odd). As the sun went down the sky just turned the most amazing colours and it lasted for what seemed like ages. The colours shown are just as seen, no major work in Photoshop, just a few basic RAW processes in Lightroom. It was like this all over Scotland for one evening, and their are numerous photos online from around the country on that night because it really was extraordinary. It rained the following day and was dull and grey, just to make up for it. I also love Glen Coe but it is very difficult to photograph. Rannoch Moor is somewhat easier as you are not so enclosed by the mountains. The Black Mount is also worth exploring and you'll fight for tripod space after the first snows. |
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| A small amount of member data is captured and held in an attempt to reduce spammers and to manage users. This site also uses cookies to ensure ease of use. In order to comply with new DPR regulations you are required to agree/disagree with this process. If you do not agree then please email the Admins using info@nikondsl.uk Thank you. |