Landscape or seascape photography is where I am most at home, be it inland or coastal. For me there is nothing better than packing your gear and getting out on a shoot. Usually I prepare as meticulously as I can, checking weather, tides, cloud cover, sunrise/sunset times. To do this I use a variety of Apps on my iPhone, some are listed below. After all that I am in the lap of the Gods...
Weather Pro
The Photographers Ephemeris inc 3D and Skyfire
Tides Planner
Ventusky
Clear Outside
Photopills
Living on the North East Coast of Scotland in the Town of Stonehaven it is difficult not to be drawn to seascape photography. I’ve now lived more than half of my life close to the sea and I can not imagine not living by it for the rest of my days. Scotland has a wealth of fantastic coastal locations to shoot at. I’ve barely scratched the surface.
The island of Rum as viewed from Laig Bay on the Isle of Eigg. One of the best beaches for photography in Scotland.
One of my favourite genres of photography. In my day to day job as a Consultant Engineer I work in the design of buildings of all types hence my enjoyment of photographing them. Typically a wide angle subject using my 16-35mm lens or preferably my 24mm Tilt Shift lens allowing me to correct converging verticals. Using a long lens to close in on details or abstracts is also worth spending time on.
Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia is an Opera House in Valencia, designed by Santiago Calatrava.
Designed by Antoni Gaudi this private residence in Barcelona is also known locally as La Pedrera.
The iMax Cinema in Valencia designed by Architect Santiago Calatrava.
I’ve been lucky enough to travel to some wonderful cities and countries with my family that have let me combine family time with the pursuit of my photography. Cities can provide a wonderful mix of possibilities from Architecture, to Street and the wider cityscape. The classic “Pop Muzik” cities of London, Paris and New York are fertile ground for a photographer, but I could spend weeks in city like Venice, a fraction of the size of the previous three but every bit as plentiful in variety of opportunities.
The Flatiron building in New York. An almost optical illusion, this 3 sided wedge makes for interesting photography.
Looking towards Chiesa di San Giorgio Maggiore in the mist.
Taken just before sunrise at the Trocadero plaza.
One of 3 working elevators or funiculars in Lisbon.
a fisherman having a smoke whilst chatting to his boat mate.
The view from Brooklyn Park out across the east river to Manhattan.
After the sun had gone down, from the high vantage point of Ave de Republica.
Taken from the high gallery of the Arc de Triomphe after the sun went down.
Looking across the Millennium Bridge to St Pauls Cathedral.
Taken from the rooftop of “the Rock” as sunset approached.
The unmistakable early morning view of Paris from Pont de Bir-Hakeim.
the edinburgh skyline from calton hill
abstracts are something I shoot subconsciously. i particularly enjoy looking for abstracts in architecture. be it textures, light, shadow, pattern or form that attracts the eye in the first place, its some thing I enjoy shooting.
Street photography can be an uncomfortable genre for some photographers. That fear of being challenged after taking someones image and how to deal with confrontation. This can lead to people using long lenses to keep a distance from their subject. The first time I attempted street photography was in New York in 2012. I went on a mornings walkabout with Markus Hartel a well known NYC photographer. NYC is as easy as it gets for Street. Everyone has a camera in their hand, you don’t get noticed. So if you’re going to try it out try it out there. I learned from Markus to get in front of people, he used a Leica M with I think 28 and 35mm lenses. Since then I’ve done most of my street with the Fuji x100s, which has an equivalent 35mm lens.
Wildlife photography was a party I came relatively late to. As a Camera Club shooter I regularly saw great images at my Club and at national competitions. So I found myself in a position of if you cant beat them… My first foray was shooting Sparrow hawks, Cuckoo’s and Kingfishers in Kirkcudbright back in 2016, Since then I have managed to shoot a variety of other species including Wild Bears in Slovakia and back there again for birds of prey early 2019.
Back in 2012 I purchased a Canon 1Dx, the flagship of Sport and Wildlife cameras. costing a fair bit i kind of had to justify it so i tried to shoot more sport than i had up to that point. Over the years I’ve shot football, golf, athletics, snooker, motorcycling, cycling, rugby and rally car racing. Its great fun and really challenges both your equipment and your own technique.
