The Isle of Skye… It’s a location that inspires one to be a photographer. It’s a reason one would cut short a perfectly nice stay in Edinburgh to make way for a trip up to rural Scotland. It’s a place to get a flat tire and not care about the stress. It’s an event where one does not mind lugging a 30 pound satchel up a mountain side in the mud.
Sensor: Canon 6D
Location: Man of Storr, Isle of Skye, Scotland
The Man of Storr is one of the iconic places in the Isle of Skye. It has a stark, and at the same time lush landscape that seems to have many “faces” depending upon the time of day and the weather. Oh… and does the weather change quickly in Scotland. If the weather doesn’t seem to suit you, wait a few moments and check again. You may think completely differently in 30 minutes. In one of my first few posts, I wrote that I did not enjoy taking photos on very cloud days. I was wrong. Overcast days, where the sky has no definition, are difficult. Otherwise cloudy days, especially at dusk or early in the morning, offer opportunities for the best photographs.
Sensor: Canon 6D
Location: Man of Storr, Isle of Skye, Scotland
These photos were taken about 1-2 PM in the afternoon after about a 3 hour climb at a slow pace. The conditions were a little bit chilly and wet despite being the end of May. Reaching to the summit, gale force winds seemed to want to knock me off. In fact I didn’t take too many photos at the very top because I didn’t feel like I was stable enough to take really sharp images at ISO 100. (Maybe a bit too paranoid here) Other than that, the hike was scenic with just the right amount of hikers to provide a sense of encouragement to get to the top, and yet very few to still give the Man of Storr the isolation it needs to have to stand out.
Sensor: Canon 6D
Location: Man of Storr, Isle of Skye, Scotland
When taking photographs, I find myself sometimes possessed trying to take great shots. But in doing so, I am constantly viewing them behind a camera (even when I’m not behind a camera). I have to consciously stop myself, put my camera away, and be still. During these moments, I force my mind to absorb my surroundings, reflect on where I am, and wonder on how large this world really is. And although I am the farthest person from having a photographic memory, I try to take a mental photograph of the area. Something that a camera, no matter how expensive, can’t replicate.
Well I hope that last part didn’t sound too cheesy… but it is 100% true.
The first image was taken about 80% of the way to the top, where I have not seen too many photos taken at the Man of Storr.
The second was is near the top, and the last is me on the way back down.
