Eilean Donan Castle

One of the ironies of photographing landscapes in Scotland, is that, yes it is very photogenic, with “at times” wonderful light, but it is a comparatively small country. So it can be difficult to find a scene or area that has not been captured before. When presented with a subject, photographed numerous times before, by photographers more capable than I. That is were I find the challenge exciting. Trying to find another angle, foreground, background or lighting effect.
Here for example is Eilean Donan Castle, taken on route to Skye, the weather was foul on the journey north from Glasgow. Our party of club photographers decided to take a break at the castle car park. The scene was set, the weather was at best poor, building contractors had descended on the castle approach bridge, suitably attired in their gaudy florescent jackets & helmets, scaffolding erected at various ramparts & parapets  &  oh!.... the tide was out! But I love a challenge. To date all the pictures I have seen of this castle seemed to be taken from a distance, with the dramatic hills made to look larger by the foreshortening effect of  long telephoto lenses, or illuminated by artificial spot lights. Yes all very dramatic, but I wanted something different.
So by using the overcast lighting to emphasize the rock, moss & seaweed on the shore, I found that I had quite a different perspective on the subject, with the gloomy weather conditions adding to the atmosphere. I hope you will agree.





....Alan