2023 has probably been my most successful and most enjoyable year as a Professional Landscape Photographer…..
I have just completed my 26th and final Residential Landscape Photography Workshop of 2023. I think it has also been my most successful and certainly most enjoyable year as a Professional Landscape Photographer.
These last few days has been an opportunity to reflect on the past 12 months and to spend a little time looking at some of the 10,000 images I have taken and to try and choose my favourite 5. It’s been a pretty much an impossible task because so many of the photographs have meant more to me than pure aesthetic value. The ones I took in October hold especially high value to me as a person as they were taken during a time I was experiencing incredible personal heartbreak during a time when I lost someone especially close to me. Someone who I loved dearly and who I will miss tomorrow as much as I miss them today.
This feeling represents the absolute core of what my photography means to me. It is pure emotion. Nothing else. I photograph what I feel and how I feel and I think the 5 I have chosen represent this. I hope you enjoy viewing them.
This photograph was taken on the 14th February 2023.
Valentine’s Day is celebrated by lovers worldwide as a day to express their affection with greetings and gifts, however, the Outer Hebridean Islands seemed oblivious to this fact. The brutal wind, which whipped across the landscape, seemed to suggest that they didn’t share the same fondness for me. But, was this really the case?
Despite the challenging weather conditions, I was determined to capture the strength of the landscape and convey the raw beauty of it all. Positioned at the water’s edge, I braced myself against the sandstorm to capture the phenomenon of racing sand moving across the surface of the water. The image took shape as I began to weave a story in my mind, ensuring that the raised sand blocks played a significant role in the composition. By lowering my tripod to nearly resting on the beach, I was able to create depth and a sense of journey through the image.
Working with the conditions, I strategically positioned myself so that the wind was behind me, allowing me to capture one of my favourite images of 2023, one that conveyed both the vulnerability and resilience of the landscape amidst the ever-changing weather systems.
The picturesque causeway between South Uist and Eriskay offers an abundance of stunning photo opportunities for any skilled photographer. With a breath-taking view like this, it’s hard to not appreciate the raw beauty of nature. Interestingly, this particular photograph holds a special place in my heart. Why? Because it would not have been captured if I hadn’t made an error in reading the tide schedule. Initially, the plan was to walk down further along the beach to capture the sunset in the opposite direction.
However, it turns out that the tide was not fully out yet, so I had to abandon the original plan. Rather than giving up, I quickly improvised and drove up the road to find another spot. And boy, was it worth it! We were able to capture an incredible picture whilst two stunning white Eriskay ponies moved between the Group. The beautiful island of Barra in the distance was bathed in a gorgeous warm light in stark contrast to the bitterly cold conditions of the moment.
Truly, an unforgettable experience for all those present.
This photograph taken on the exposed Isle of Harris coastline is another example of how the cinematic aspect ratio has played an important role in my photography during 2023. The way in which I was able to compose this image was a direct connection with how I viewed the scene with my own eyes at the time.
The Januray Assynt Workshop turned out to be an incredibly remarkable experience as the weather conditions were the best throughout the year.
The already world-class landscape was elevated to a greater extent with the incredible amount of fresh snowfall. The participants of the workshop were able to capture some of the best photography that they had ever taken, and it was all thanks to the impeccable weather conditions and the stunning scenery that surrounded them. The blue light, the calm winds, and the snow added more magic to every location that was visited, making it an unforgettable week for everyone in attendance. The image that graced the front cover of the 2024 Calendar was taken after the group had finished photographing, an outstanding memento of the remarkable experience. Throughout the week, they more or less had Assynt to themselves, except for an unexpected yet enjoyable encounter with my friend Thomas Heaton.
However, my favourite photograph of 2023, or at least of those I have taken, is this one.
I was incredibly sad on this particularly day. I had a few days earlier, lost someone who I was incredibly close to. Someone who I loved dearly and had been taken away from me in tragic and needless circumstances. I had lost someone who had died a premature and painful death. The pain of losing her will be as painful tomorrow and it was yesterday.
My deep sense of hopelessness was intensified as I was so far from home running a Photography Workshop when all those around me were oblivious to my pain. My deeply sad and painful emotions were kept private and enabled me to capture these beautiful photograph of the Outer Hebridean coastline. For once, the weather seemed to know I was in pain, she lessened the wind and sprinkled her sunshine across my view.
Testament to my opening to this blog……photography is an emotion.
God Rest Your Soul Kass……..
I hope that you have enjoyed seeing my selection of 5 images. It has been an incredibly difficult task to whittle all my 2023 photographs into such a small number. In fact, in just this year alone, I have shot over 10,000 photographs, all taken throughout the breathtaking Scottish Highlands. I must say, it’s been quite the challenge deciding which images to include in my Top 5.
Below are just a few images which didn’t make my list although each and every one holds a special emotional attachment to me and could have quite easily been featured.
