It’s Not Raining….
After a fantastic editing session last night we retired to our rooms in readiness for an early start today. The reason – no rain is forecast and I wanted to make an early start to reach the most northerly area of Assynt in preparation for a possible sunrise at the coast. This involves a 2hr drive from our base in Lochinver to Durness. In daylight hours it’s an 80 minute drive but in the dark with the stags roaming freely, I’d rather be on the safe side. If we get there early, all the better.
Durness is a very small village on the northern coast of Scotland with a population of just 350. It has a spectacular coastline and is prone to the odd spectacular sunrise. It is also well known for being a regular holiday destination for John Lennon. The journey is hardly a magical mystery tour, presenting a long and winding road for any visitors and yet, long before he became one of pop history’s most exalted figures, John Lennon travelled here with his family and relished summers on the white sand beaches of Sango Bay and the mesmerisingly atmospheric surroundings of the nearby Smoo Cave. In fact the famous Beatle’s song “In My Life” was penned by John Lennon which talks about the halcyon days in Durness. Paul McCartney changed the emphasis of John’s poem into a love song.
Another early alarm clock at 5am to prepare for a 7am start.
We actually arrived at Durness at 8:30am which was 35 minutes before sunrise and the conditions looked promising. Parking at the Sango Sands Oasis on the hilltop we only had a short walk to where I wanted to be for the first shot of the day. It’s a great place to start to the day as you can capture the sun rising in the far distance over the small sea stacks on the beach below and then walk a few yards to your left to photograph the wooden walkway of Durness. Such a shame that I had cancellations on this workshop due to positive Covid tests in the week before, but the two who have been able to make it have been a pleasure to work with and I have been fortunate to have two very capable advanced hobbyists with me this week.
Both scenes are well photographed but what I wanted to demonstrate to the group at this location was the importance of having and keeping clean edges to their images. Of course, not all images need to have this and indeed in some cases, it is not at all possible. However, the 2 shots looking down on Sango Beach, were possible to demonstrate and to show the benefits if doing so. The image below taken a few years ago illustrates the message I was trying to get across. The right side of the photograph is composed in such a way that there is a gap between the rock and the edge of the frame. This allows the photograph to breathe and adds balance to the image. It is so easy to become too focussed on the main ingredients of the photograph and forget the finer details.
All Nikon photographers
What has made this workshop easier for me is, we are all Nikon users. Although I am familiar with most brands and models it is only natural that I am more comfortable with Nikon, having used their cameras for over 30 years.
We spent a couple of hours at this location trying different compositions and different exposures. It was very rewarding to see the end results and watch them take this message onboard. Two hours at a location doesn’t seem a long time but with only 7 hours of light we had already used up 25% of our time. Therefore, a quick dash back to the truck and a quick drive to the next location.
I am fascinated by historic places – I could’ve easily been a history teacher if things had turned out differently. I think some of my critics would’ve preferred it if I had. But history plays an important part with my photography and my workshops. I believe that by learning and providing a relevant and historical background to the places we visit adds tremendous value to the shoot. Ceannabeinne is one such example. Ceannabeinne was a part of the Highland Clearances in the 1800’s and remnants still remain of that time. Fourteen houses and 50 people used to work and live on the land we were photographing from and the above images is of the old school house. This was the only property not destroyed when the landowners forcibly evicted everyone in preference to using the land for sheep during the Highland Clearances.
The beaches and coastline here are world class and you can easily spend at least a day or three exploring every photographic opportunity available to you. However, a winter workshop just doesn’t have this luxury. The area is so vast, I decided to leave the group up to their devices here. I suggested they make their own choices, their own photographs without any interference from me and we will see the results in the evening editing session. I wanted to see whether at this early stage of the week, they could remember my thoughts on composition, creating depth and keeping clean edges. We’ll see in tonight’s session.
Despite all best laid plans there always has to be room for opportunistic moments when a gut feeling overrules common sense. After Ceannabeinne I should have driven back to Loch Assynt and photographed Ardvreck Castle. Ardvreck Castle was screaming at me, it was demanding that I come, it was ready for me. I had to turn around and comply. Problem is, I rarely do as I’m told!! So I decided to drive in the opposite direction and take a chance. Serves me right, I got it wrong, but did I? I desperately wanted to show my Group Moines House. Moines House is bleak, it’s cold, it’s unwelcoming and downright miserable. I’ve known a few women like this and Moines House is unpredictable and unreliable as well but there was something, a hunch, it would be the right thing to do. But having left Ceannabeinne in glorious sunshine, the drive to Moines House became increasingly wet and windy. What have I done?
It’ll be alright I thought. But it wasn’t, the weather got worse. It didn’t help that I saw the weather back at Ardvreck Castle was glorious. Gloating like an ex-girlfriend. “Let’s give it 10 minutes” I said optimistically. Then, as if by divine intervention, it stopped raining. That was a start. “C’mon lets go, we’ve got a small window”. That was the clue to this image and I left it with the Group to figure that one out. A walk around the fence before it all made sense. A small window revealed that someone was keeping an eye on us. What a photograph, what a moment, what a decision. I was in heaven. One of my favourite images of the week so far. But more importantly, the Group were happy. This image screams the Highlands and is gorgeous and it’s what they wanted to see. Paradise doesn’t have to be tropical.
We just had enough time on this winter’s afternoon to get back to Durness before sunset. However, it would have been a crime not to have stopped at Loch Eriboll for a shot. I have photographed this many times and I love it. The accelerating rain clouds were hammering along the Loch and we had to move quick. Experience of the Highlands serves me well to be opportunistic. Such a bonus in this instance.
The Highlands – you’ve gotta love it.
The beach at Durness was our sunset location for the day. We ended the day where we started. Perfect. We stayed until well after sundown enjoying these special moments. It’s not all about the photography, it’s all about enjoying the experience and I think we did that today. A special day finished off with a glass of wine in front of a roaring fireplace.
I hope you can join me tomorrow when I’ll share more of our Assynt experiences.
One Response
This looked another excellent day – amazing images captured