https://www.grahamchalmers.com/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/fife/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/skye/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/england/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/northumberland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/format_panorama/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/seasons/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/spring/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/summer/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/autumn/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/winter/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/nature/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/abstracts/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/details/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/impressions/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/favourites/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/recent-work/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/hiddengalleries/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/assynt/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/perthshire/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/angus/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/all_images/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/glencoe_and_rannoch_moor/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/argyll/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/cairngorms/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/trip_reports/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/110301_assynt_winter/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/borders/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/ross_and_cromarty/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/lochaber_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/images_by_theme/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/format/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/format_square/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/print_products/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/virtual_room_service/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/colour/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/colour_red/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/colour_blue/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/colour_green/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/colour_yellow/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/colours_brown/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/format_vertical/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/format_horizontal/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/colour_grey/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/colour_orange/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/rock_art/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/gallery/lewis_harris/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/page/about/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/page/prints/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/page/aftercare/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/page/terms_conditions/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/page/guarantee/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/rock-cat/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/rock_cat_dysart.jpg Rock Cat The south east coast of Fife is home to a wonderful array of colourful rocks. By a series of contortions, I was able to wedge myself into a cleft in the sandstone rocks to capture this image. To me, the striations suggest a proud cat, tail held aloft, on it's morning patrol. Dysart, Fife https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/elie_lighthouse_at_sunset_fife/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/elie_ness_lighthouse_sunset_2237.jpg Elie Ness Lighthouse at Sunset Elie lighthouse was built by the renowned David Stevenson in 1908. The top of the tower and outbuilding are of a crenulated design more akin to castle than a lighthouse. Elie, Fife https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/incoming_tide_sunrise_kingsbarns_fife/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/incoming_tide_kingsbarns_1811.jpg Incoming Tide at Sunrise I was attracted by the cold morning light on the water and beach contrasting with the warm pastel hues of the approaching dawn. By carefully timing the incoming waves and using a panning motion while exposing the image, I hoped to achieve a calm painterely mood.  Kingsbarns, Fife https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/bruar_falls_autumn_perthsire/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/falls_of_bruar_autumn_4152.jpg Falls of Bruar in Autumn The Falls of Bruar are truly at their best after rainfall in Autumn. The peat stained water gathers a pace as it flows down the hillside, under the bridge and carved rock natural arch, towards the floor of the glen below. A succession of waterfalls, deep pools and mixed woodland make it a delightful walk, with new vistas opening up at every turn. Blair Atholl, Perthshire https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/hay_bales_storm_clouds_perthshire/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/hay_bales_storm_clouds_perthshire_5759.jpg Harvest Light Heavy cloud had been slowly encroaching over the farmlands of Perthshire from early afternoon, decreasing the chances of a glorious sunset. Fortunately, a gap opened allowing the low angled light to stream through, illuminating the hay bales in a golden glow for a few precious minutes. Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/poppy_farmland_northumberland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/poppy_farmland_northumberland.jpg Poppy Farmland A spectacular show of red poppies dancing in the wind attracted me to this scene. The rolling farmland leading to the distant farmhouse on the hillside seemed to sum up a typical day in the English summer. Northumberland, England https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/butt_of_lewis_cliffs_and_stormy_waters/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/butt_of_lewis_cliffs_and_waves.jpg Stormy Waters The gale force winds on the exposed rocky, cliff tops, together with the frequent bouts of heavy rain, were making the process of making images shall we say interesting. It was a case of standing there, braving the elements and waiting for the worst of it to literally wash over me. A brief respite allowed me to capture the churning surf before the next band of rain closed in. Butt of Lewis, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/butt_of_lewis_lighthouse_sunrise/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/butt_of_lewis_lighthouse_at_dusk.jpg Butt of Lewis Sunrise The Butt of Lewis is the most northerly point on the Isle of Lewis. The cliffs are battered by frequent Atlantic storms and the lighthouse acts as a beacon of hope for shipping in these treacherous waters. The lighthouse was built in 1862 by David Stevenson. The station once held the record in the Guiness Book of Records as being the windiest place in the UK. Butt of Lewis, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/assynt_mointains_at_dawn_panorama/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/sutherland_assynt_mountains_from_lewis.jpg Assynt Mountains at Dawn Standing on Traigh Geiraha beach, north of Stornoway, as the warm light of dawn touched the clouds, this panorama laid bare the magnificent mountains of the north west of Scotland. Taken from over 50 miles away, the names of the mountains read like a hillwalkers paradise - Quinaig, Beinn Gharbh, Canisp, Suilven, Cul Mor, Stac Pollaidh, Cul Beag, Ben Mor Coigach. While these mountains might be just shy of Munro status (over 3,000ft), they have very distinctive characters as they rise above the low lying peat bogs. Traigh Geiraha, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/traigh_lar_lewisian_gneiss_rock_harris/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/traigh_lar_chalpaval_lewis.jpg Ceapabhal from Traigh Lar at dusk The foreground in this image is dominated by an amazing outcrop of banded Lewisian Gneiss. Formed around 3,000 million years ago and sculpted by the effects of temperature and pressure over a period of 1,500 million years, these contorted rock patterns are almost psychodellic. The background "island", Ceapabhal, is actually a peninsula connected by a low lying slither of land. Traigh Lar, Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/last_light_sea_cliffs_mangestra_lewis/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/last_light_mangestra_lewis.jpg Last Light The west coast of Lewis is frequently battered by the full force of Atlantic storms. In the aftermath of one such storm, the sun just dipped below a bank of clouds to bathe the cliffs in a radiant orange glow. The mountain in the background, Mealisval, steadfastly refused to join the party and remained brooding in the background Mangestra, Isle of Lewis, Hebrides https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/first_light_cliffs_mangestra_lewis/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/first_light_mangestra_lewis.jpg First Light The storm of the previous day was starting to ease to a mere gale as I perched on the cliff top at dawn, steadying my tripod and waiting for a break in the clouds. Eventually the clouds parted and let a finger of light percolate the gloom for a few brief seconds, illuminating the rocky shoreline as it was pounded by the churning surf.   Mangestra, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/sea_stacks_aird_fenish_lewis/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/sea_stacks_aird_fenish_mangestra_lewis.jpg Sea Stacks Aird Fenish These imposing sea stacks are hidden from view as you walk towards the cliff edge. On this day, strong winds and the sudden "reveal" combined to make a truly breathtaking moment. A long exposure rendered the surging ocean into looking like candy floss in contrast to the impressive solidness of the stacks.   Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/chrysocolla_malachite_1/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/Chrysocolla_malachite.jpg Chrsocolla Malachite The name Chrysocolla is derived from the Greek words, chrysos meaning gold and Kolla meaning glue. Malachite, which gives this specimen its blue/green colour, comes from the Greek word for mallow, a green herb. Bagdad Copper Mine, Arizona, USA https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/tiger_iron_1/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/tiger_eye_1.jpg Tiger Eye This specimen of Tiger Iron when seen by the human eye, looks an uninteresting dark brown, with barely visible markings. However, when viewed under cross polaraised light, the colours assault the viewer's senses in a mix of vibrant reds, golds and browns. Tiger Iron is a mixture of Tiger Eye, red Jasper and black Hematite. The radiant colours are caused by an effect called chatoyancy, which causes light reflection under the surface layers of the stone. The receding layers or banding create an impression of a golden landscape. South Africa https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/mexican_moss_agate_1/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/moss_agate_1.jpg Mexican Moss Agate There are many different types of agates found around the world and they are often named after the location they were found or their appearance. Agates are composed of Silicon dioxide (SiO2) and they form as layers of chalcedony in the host rock. I much prefer the more romantic notion of seeing it as a distant galaxy albeit on a micro scale. Mexico https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/canvas_wrap/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/gc_120322__MG_1104-Edit.jpg Canvas Wrap Sample   https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/acrylic_sample/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/gc_120322__MG_1102-Edit.jpg Acrylic Mounted Print   https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/lounge_layout_3_2/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/Virtual_room_lounge-class_3.jpg Living-room with Framed Print Different types of frames can be simulted to help you decide. Artwork type and size can easily be changed to simulate your requirements. https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/lounge_layout_3_3/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/Virtual_room_lounge-class_2.jpg Living-room with Framed Print Different types of frames can be simulted to help you decide. Artwork type and size can easily be changed to simulate your requirements. https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/bedroom_layout_2/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/Virtual_room_bedroom_layout_2.jpg Bedroom with Framed Print Not sure how well your favourite image will coodinate with your rooms decor? Use the Virtual Room service to know in advance and you will be able to sleep soundly.  Artwork type and size can easily be changed to simulate your requirements. https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/stair_layout_1/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/Virtual_room_stair.jpg Acrylic Mounted Print on Stairs Hanging artwork on a stair guarantees it being seen on the way up and down for twice the enjoyment. Artwork type and size can easily be changed to simulate your requirements. https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/lounge_layout_1_3/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/Virtual_room_lounge_1_3.jpg Lounge with small Acrylic Mounted Print This image demonstrates how you can assess the size of image needed to create impact in your chosen room. Artwork type and size can easily be changed to simulate your requirements. https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/office_layout_1/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/Virtual_room_office.jpg Boardroom with Acrylic Mounted Prints Impress your clients with multiple themed prints. Artwork type and size can easily be changed to simulate your requirements. https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/lounge_layout_2_1/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/Virtual_room_lounge2-1.jpg Lounge with Framed Print Change the mood of a room by changing your selection of images. Artwork type and size can easily be changed to simulate your requirements. https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/lounge_layout_1_1/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/Virtual_room_lounge1_1.jpg Lounge with large Acrylic Mounted Print This image demonstrates how you can assess the size of image needed to create impact in your chosen room. Artwork type and size can easily be changed to simulate your requirements. https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/lounge_layout_3_1/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/Virtual_room_lounge-class.jpg Living-room with Framed Print Different types of frames can be simulted to help you decide.  Artwork type and size can easily be changed to simulate your requirements. https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/lounge_layout_2_2/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/Virtual_room_lounge-3.jpg Lounge with Framed Print  Change the mood of a room by changing your selection of images. Artwork type and size can easily be changed to simulate your requirements. https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/lounge_layout_2_3/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/Virtual_room_lounge-2.jpg Lounge with Framed Print  Change the mood of a room by changing your selection of images. Artwork type and size can easily be changed to simulate your requirements. https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/lounge_layout_1_2/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/Virtual_room_layout_1_2.jpg Lounge with medium Acrylic Mounted Print This image demonstrates how you can assess the size of image needed to create impact in your chosen room. Artwork type and size can easily be changed to simulate your requirements. https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/blaven_mounatin_skye_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/Blaven_skye_scotland-1.jpg Jade Sea No. 2 The isolated cottage seen in this image, portrays a sense of the scale of Blaven (Bla Bheinn in Gaelic). Being a Munro (mountain in Scotland over 3,000ft) and rising steeply from sea level, the bulk of the mountain, with Loch Slapin below creates an iconic Scottish scene which has been captured by many artists over time. Its distinctive character has been formed over time by the weathering of the gabbro and dolerite. Although dramatic, this geological composition has the effect of making magnetic compasses useless when navigating on mountain walks. Torrin, Isle of Skye, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/eas_chia_aig_waterfall_2_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/waterfall.jpg Eas Chia-aig Waterfall No.1 Eas Chia-aig is a delightful double waterfall which is normally photographed in its entirety. Here, I have chosen to depict the more vertical upper falls, as they are the more shapely of the two drops. A bit of careful manoeuvring was required on the slippery rocks to get into position and prevent myself and my tripod ending up in the lower falls. The strong sunshine caused the leaves to glow  delightfully, but also created a level of contrast between the water and rocks that required careful handling. An alternative version in the shade of a passing cloud can be seen here. Lochaber, Argyll, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/suilven_assynt_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/suilven-rocks.jpg Suilven The flatness of Inverpolly's peat bog and lochan covered landscape is punctuated by a number of prominent mountains such as Suilven. Although not the highest mountains in the world, the flatness of the surrounding landscape and their distinctive shapes, give them added prominence. This area is world renowned for its geology and I emphasised this by making the a vertical panorama, with the rocky foreground prominent in the image, suggesting the isolation of the mountain. Inverpolly, National Nature Reserve, Assynt, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/stac_polly_brooding_clouds_assynt_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/stac_polly_storm.jpg Enlightenment It was one of those days, where the incessant wind and rain seemed to threaten any chance of picture taking. Eventually the rain eased and I decided to shake off the lethargy which comes after hours of sitting in the car, by taking a quick hike up Stac Polly. As I climbed, although the rain had stopped, there seemed little chance of image making due to the heavy cloud cover. Suddenly, as I reached the shoulder of the hill,  a gap in the clouds opened and sunlight streamed on to the barren landscape. I quickly fumbled to set up the camera to capture the brooding peak during this moment of enlightenment. Stac Polly, Inverpolly National Nature Reserve, Assynt, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/eas-chia-aig_waterfall_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/spring_waterfall.jpg Eas Chia-aig Waterfall No. 2 Eas Chia-aig is a fine example of a double waterfall in Lochaber. This image is of the upper falls where the water takes a pleasing zig zag course as it pounds off the walls of the rocky chute. The falls were the setting for a scene in the film "Rob Roy" where Liam Neilson leaps from the edge to escape his pursuers. A alternative version in sunlight can be seen here. Lochaber, Argyll, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/beech_wood_blur_arbroath_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/wood_blur.jpg Beech Wood Blur One of the advantages of digital photography is the ability to experiment with new techniques, without the fear of failure costing a lot of money. This technology would have been particularly useful when creating this image, as I was using a 617 format camera which swallows film at an alarming rate (4 frames per role). I tried a variety of panning speeds with this image and waited for the results to return from the lab. Fortunately the results matched those I had imagined in my mind. The trees had enough blur to be impressionistic while still being recognisable. Arbroath, Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/tulla_caledonian_pines_argyll_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/tulla_spring.jpg Caledonian Pines A beautiful Summers morning, not a breath of wind, stunning scenery what more could a photographer want? In a word - fewer of the dreaded Scottish midges. Ok, that's more than one word, but you know what I mean. Not only were they annoying and biting, but this photograph was taken using a panoramic film camera, which when the back is opened to change film, presents a wonderful cavern for them to rush into. A number of shots came back from the lab with crisp renditions in silhouette of squashed midges showing on the transparency. Ah well, at least thats a few less of the blighters. Loch Tulla, Argyll, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/loch_tulla_winter_reflection_argyll_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/tulla_reflections.jpg Tranquillity Out of the many times I had visited this location, I have never experienced such a tranquil scene as was presented before me on this freezing Winter's day. The early morning sun was just peeking over the surrounding snow covered mountains, illuminating the distant tops as the mist cleared over the calm water. Not a breath of wind disturbed the water, creating a perfect reflection. The water level in the loch had risen slightly to transform the wooded promontory into an island. High contrast levels, which I normally strive to avoid,  helped subdue the detail in the trees, which enhanced the 3D effect I was seeking. Loch Tulla, Argyll, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/approaching_storm_barley_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/stormy_field_master.jpg Approaching Storm Who needs Hollywood special effects when Nature can produce such amazing cloud formations as I witnessed one day in Spring? I have always liked this location for its gently rolling sinuous curves, which were, on this occasion, being echoed in the dramatic cloudscape. With the rapidly approaching rain clouds threatening to obliterate the already weakening sunshine, I knew I had to act fast to capture the image before the forces of nature overwhelmed scene. The sunlit barley contrasted markedly with the brooding clouds, giving eye popping colours and creating this luminous landscape. Moments later, the rain hit and the cloud textures fused to a uniform grey. The performance was over. Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/slioch_in_winter_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/slioch_winter.jpg Slioch in Winter Slioch is an iconic Scottish highland mountain, having an almost impenetrable look when viewed from the roadside. Here I wanted to show the broader massif, so decided to climb up the mountain on the opposite side. As I gained height, the promising gaps in the clouds filled with an ominous grey. Then, when the snow showers swept in, I realised that sunlight on the mountains was going to be at a premium. This created the pattern for the next few hours, of ten minutes sheltering while being battered by strong winds, hail and snow, then 5 minutes respite. During one of these calm periods, late in the day, the sun made a brief appearance. I hurriedly removed the sophisticated foul weather protection (a plastic shower cap) from the camera and took the shot. The low angled light was just in the right place to illuminate the two boulders in the foreground, giving an enhanced sense of depth to the panorama. Ross and Cromarty, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/sleat_loch_sunset_skye_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/sleat_loch.jpg Frozen in Time One of the great conundrums with landscape photography is predicting where the best light will be at a certain time. This is particularly important around sunrise and sunset, when the lighting is optimum for only a short period of time. On this occasion, I had got it wrong and my chosen location was uninspiringly overcast. I decided to chance my luck and head for a feint glimmer in the west. Some time after sunset, I chanced upon this semi frozen loch. Murphy's Law of course meant that the skies were now frustratingly too clear. The light reflecting off the water formed an interesting curve, while also creating separation from the hills, but there was still something missing. Fortunately, small clouds appeared over the dip in the low lying hills, in just the right place, to draw the composition together. Sleat, Isle of Skye, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/tranquil_seas_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/sea_sunrise.jpg Calm Seas This panorama was taken just after sunrise, the North Sea shows its calm side, with a only a gentle swell reflecting the sun's rays on the water. Arbroath, Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/evening_light_on_rape_field_fife_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/rape_field.jpg Evening Light Normally photographed when in dazzling yellow full bloom, rape crops can still make an interesting subject even after flowering as the seed ripen. The low angled evening light across the panorama helped to make the crop glow and the cloud formations help to emphasize the flatness of this farm landscape. Fife, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/storr_skye_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/old_man_of_storr.jpg The Storr The Storr is part of the largest landslip in Britain which forms the spine of North Skye and has created numerous strangely shaped pinnacles along its length. Normally the Storr is photographed looking out to sea and towards The Cuillin, as can be seen in Old Man of Storr Sunrise. I chose to compose this panorama looking towards the serrated cliffs.  It shows how amazing nature can be. Isle of Skye, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/monzie_fields_autumn_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/monzie_autumn.jpg Rural Perthshire Being in an area specializing in sheep and cattle farming, I used the zig zag of boundary walls in the fields to lead the eye towards the distant mountains. The morning sun was just high enough to illuminate the foreground and create side lighting on the hillside beyond in this early Autumn panorama. Just out of sight is the Glenturret distillery, home to the Famous Grouse Whisky - just the ticket on a frosty morning. Monzie, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/coigach_loch_lurgainn_inverpolly_autumn_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/Lurgain.jpg Coigach and Loch Lurgainn One of my favourite mountainous landscapes is Inverpolly, which is a mixture of mountain, loch and bog. The typical shot from this location is towards the other mountains of Inverpolly as shown here in a different panorama. On this morning, the early light seemed to set the autumnal grasses on fire on the slopes of Stac Polly. This sizzling effect is emphasised due to the rock and grasses being placed against the shaded slopes of Coigach. Inverpolly, National Nature Reserve, Assynt, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/mountain_reflection_cill_chriosd_skye_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/loch_cill_skye.jpg On Reflection An unusually still morning created this perfect reflection on Loch Cill Chriosd on Skye. The mountains in this Autumn panorama are Beinn Dearg Bheag and Beinn na Caillich. These mountains are often bypassed in the rush to photograph the more imposing Blaven and the Cuillin from Elgol, both of which are further down this road. For me, the pleasantly rounded hills seemed to compliment the calm weather conditions perfectly and held enough interest to keep me captivated for quite some time. Loch Cill Chriosd, Skye, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/liathach_reflection_winter_torridon_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/Liathach_winter.jpg Liathach and Beinn Eighe in Winter Liathach, a seemingly impenetrable fortress of Torridonian sandstone, is one of the best known peaks in the Scottish Highlands. Its snow capped reflection in Loch Clair, along with that of its neighbour Beinn Eighe, seen here on the right, ideally suits the format of panoramic landscape photographs. I was fortunate that a cloud whose shape echoed the mountain ridge line drifted into view, filling the awkward void above. Loch Clair, Torridon, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/inverpolly_autumn_vista_assynt_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/inverpolly_pano.jpg Inverpolly Mountains in Autumn This must be one of the my favourite locations in Scotland. From the slopes of Stac Polly, this panorama of mountains is shown in all its splendour, aided by the glowing autumn colours. The mountains are, from left to right, Quinag (just a glimpse), Suilven, Canisp and Cul Mor. These isolated mountains, rise steeply from a landscape of peat bogs and lochs, a fact which I complemented by using the foreground boulders perched on the rock slabs. Although it looks a tranquil scene, in reality it was blowing a gale and was bitterly cold. I was going through contortions to shield my camera and tripod with my open jacket from the buffeting winds. Inverpolly, National Nature Reserve, Assynt, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/inverpolly_assynt_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/inverpolly_autumn.jpg Last Light The landscape of Assynt may be lacking in great numbers of trees, but fortunately the bare landscape has a wonderful character all of its own. It is rolling landscape full of rocky knolls, peat bogs and adorned by sparkling lochs. The mountains punctuating through this mantle are an obvious draw for attention. Here, from the left, are Suilven, Canisp, Cul Mor and Stac Polly. I was rushing to capture this image, as the light was about to drop below a knoll behind me. Moments later the rocks were in shadow, instantly removing much of the texture from the scene. Inverpolly, National Nature Reserve, Assynt, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/invergowrie_mudflats_sunrise_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/invergowrie_sunrise.jpg Tay Estuary Sunrise As the River Tay reaches the end of its 120 mile length, making it the longest in Scotland, it widens to an estuary which reveals expanses of mudflats at low tide. These nutrient rich areas provide an important feeding ground for many wading birds. A small stream leads into this panorama, gouging a channel in the thick mud. I was relieved when the sun crested the low FIfe hills and I had the image I wanted, as I was aware of sinking steadily in the gloopy, clawing mud and realised a quick retreat was needed or I was in danger of loosing my wellies! Invergowrie, Dundee, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/glencoe_black_rock_cottage_winter_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/glencoe_winter.jpg Black Rock Cottage, Winter An oft photographed scene, Black Rock Cottage enjoys a spectacular location with the backdrop of Buachaille Etive Mor. It is used as a base for The Ladies Scottish Climbing Club when exploring the surrounding mountains. Although seen on many calendars, shortbread tins etc, it still has a mystical draw that forces me to stop when passing by. With snow cover, broken lighting and interesting cloud formations, I felt compelled to put in my tuppence/cents worth. Glen Coe, Highlands, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/glencoe_loch_leven_reflections_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/glencoe_sunset.jpg Glencoe Reflections As the sun started to sink slowly in the west, the breeze that had been blowing all day settled down as often happens, and a sense of calmness settled over Loch Leven giving a beautiful reflection. The snowy slopes of Garbh Bheinn, Sgorr na Ciche, Sgorr nam Fiannaidh, Stob Coire nan Lochan and Bidean nam Bian were lit up with dappled light creating a breathtaking panorama. Glen Coe, Lochaber, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/hill_farming_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/glen_wall.jpg Hill Farming, Glen Fender The upland areas of Perthshire are home to a great number of hill farms. They specialise in cattle and sheep farming on the marginal land between low land and mountain. Many dry stane walls crisscross the land acting as pasture boundaries for the livestock as well as lead-in line for panoramas. Given the rickety nature of the gate I'm not sure how effective this gate would be against lively livestock. Atholl, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/copse_sunset_2_brechin_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/copse_sunset.jpg Copse Sunset No. 2 This image was taken well after the sunset depicted in Copse Sunset No. 1 . It can sometimes be worthwhile waiting long after sunset to see what might develop, even though a bite to eat and a cosy chair are calling. The brazen sunset colours have been replaced with more pastel hues reflecting off the high cloud formations and creating a silhouette of trees. Suddenly I didn't feel hungry anymore. Brechin, Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/copse_sunset_1_brechin_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/copse_sunset_clouds.jpg Copse Sunset No.1 A pleasant summers evening spent photographing the farmland in this area was rounded off nicely by this sunset. I was attracted by the copse of trees sitting atop the rolling hills. As I waited, the light from the setting sun filtered through the hazy clouds on the horizon to touch the clouds. The panoramic format helped make the most of the fingers of clouds that were present in the sky. This image was made just after sunset, being happy with it, I was ready to pack up and head home, but decided to ignore the hunger pains and wait  to see if anything might happen. I was glad I did, as can be seen here. Brechin, Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/elgol_cuillin_autumn_skye_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/elgol_master-3.jpg The Cuillin in Autumn Lovely autumnal side lighting depicts the Cuillin panorama at their best. The image shows both Black and Red Cuillin, the Black being composed of basalt and grabbo whilst the Red are composed of granite. The main mountain peaks seen here are Sgurr a Choire Bhig, Sgurr na Stri, Marsco and Blabheinn. I chose to echo the distant mountains with the foreground erratic. Elgol, Isle of Skye, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/dragon_cloud_formation_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/cloud_sunset.jpg Sunset Dragon A stiff breeze was sending this cloud formation scudding across the sky, as I contorted myself to compose it in the viewfinder of my specialist 617 panoramic camera. This camera is heavy and bulky, but I knew I wouldn't have time to mount it on a tripod, so I resorted a rare occurrence of handholding it. The formation reminded me of a dragon flying across the sky as the setting sun illuminated its outstretched wings. Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/camnasury_skye_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/camnasury_sunrise.jpg Camnasury Spotlight Having started up a hill path in darkness, I was now regretting my decision. The few patches of clear starlight I had seen earlier, had been totally engulfed by the mass of cloud streaming in. All the fantastic images I had in my minds eye were being literally blown away by the wind. Suddenly a small gap in the clouds opened illuminating the landscape in front of me, a brief window of opportunity. I had to react quickly to capture my moment of being in the spotlight. The light lasted just long enough to highlight the lone house and the lower slopes of Sgurr na Stri, the mountain in the background. Isle of Skye, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/sentinel_lone_tree_lauder_borders_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/border_tree.jpg The Sentinel In our never ending quest to boost land productivity, there has been a trend to removing trees from agricultural land. Tractors and combines work most efficiently in nice straight lines, rather than skirting round trees, so I was pleasantly surprised to see that here, the farmer had decided to leave this fine specimen standing in splendid isolation. With the rolling hills as a backdrop, it's as if it is standing guard over the surrounding countryside. Lauder, Borders, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/verdant_green_barley_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/barley_field_pan.jpg Verdant Green Barley ripening in fields is a sight synonymous with the Angus countryside. As an area it covers just 3% of Scotland's agricultural area, but accounts for 40% of Scotland's highest quality arable land. To get a different perspective for this image, I was standing on tip toes, on a step ladder on uneven ground, trying to compose through the viewfinder, waiting for the breeze to die down, whilst maintaing my precarious position. An unusual composition for a panorama, but I wanted to fill the frame with the verdant green crop. Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/phantom_forest_affric_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/misty_affric.jpg Phantom Forest Glen Affric is 15 miles long, with a habitat of loch, mountain and moorland and is regarded by many as the most beautiful in Scotland. It contains one of the largest remnants of the ancient Caledonian Pinewoods which used to cover the land. On this morning, I stood transfixed as the ghostly swirls of mist ebbed and flowed through the trees. The scene transformed constantly, from almost clear to totally obscured. Although captivating, it did present a challenge to create a balanced composition. Glen Affric, Highland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/uath_lilly_reflection_cairngorms_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/uath_reflections.jpg Uath Lochan Reflection An enjoyable afternoons stroll can be had wandering round the delightful collection of small lochans nestling amongst the pines of Inshriach Forest. On this day in early Autumn, there was only a hint of a breeze to disturb the reflections on the waters surface. I decided to create a visual motion contrast by including the lilly pads. This gave rise to an illusion of them appearing to float above the waters surface in mid air. Kincraig, Cairngorms National Park, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/orb_sunrise_tree_silhouette_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/tree_sunrise.jpg Orb While driving past some fields, I noticed a line of trees in the dawn light which I hoped would be in the right position for the impending sunrise. As it turned out, they provided the perfect silhouette against a fiery sky on this Spring morning. The line of cloud traveling across the rising orb of the sun, rather than being a distraction, actually gave an extra dimension to the image, connecting it to the earth whilst at the same time emphasising it's distance from us. Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/tree_stack_lochaber_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/tree_stack.jpg Destiny I have always found log stacks to be compelling subjects to photograph. It is something about their apparent order and repetition which, on closer inspection, becomes a collection of uniquely molded tree cross sections. The stacks are often situated on areas of cleared forest which do not form a particularly attractive backdrop, however on this occasion it was situated on the very edge of the forest. This gave an interesting contrast of shape and colour and a strong sense of before and after. Such is the marked contrast between the two elements, that it is hard to reconcile that the growing and felled trees are one and the same. The wave effect of the stack helped to further differentiate the two ephemeral states of this forest landscape. Gairlochcy, Locahaber, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/lone_tree_storm_clouds_fife_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/stormy_barley.jpg Lone Tree Struggling against the strong winds, I wondered how long to stay at this exposed spot near the Fife coast. The heavy storm clouds refused to part, offering no prospect of sunshine and every chance of a downpour. However, the conditions were changing so fast that I decided to wait in hope. Eventually, a gap appeared in the clouds allowing the briefest of glimpses of sun to shine through, illuminating the ripening, wind tossed barley in front of me. Fife, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/seaweed_on_sand_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/seaweed_beach.jpg Stranded Often, picture opportunities present themselves right beneath our noses, or feet. So it was, as I wandered along a deserted beach at first light, I came across this strand of seaweed. I liked the comparison between the gritty linearity of the sand patterns and the gentler, more fluid form of the seaweed. The low angled light help emphasise the granularity of the subject. Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/blue_fence_reflection_skye_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/loch_fence_dusk.jpg Blue Fence It was one of those evenings where, although the sun had long set, the light seemed reluctant to release it's grip on the day. I spied the fence with its reflection and decided to try and capture the tranquility of the scene. By this point, it was so dark, it was almost impossible to see the anything through the camera's viewfinder. I was drawn by the cool blue hues in this image and the motion of the clouds against the static fence. The calmness of the reflection portrayed in the image, was in direct contrast to my increasingly manic, arm waving, convulsions as I fended off the hordes of hungry midges. Eventually after much blood letting on both sides, an uneasy truce was called and the antagonists retreated, mutually satisfied with the outcome. Loch Cill Chriosd, Skye, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/ice_pattern_rannoch_moor_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/ice_pattern_2.jpg Ice Pattern An alternative version to "River of Ice", this shows a close up of ice along the side of a loch in its natural state. This image almost appears to be monochromatic. The gritty texture of the angular ice patterns provide a counterpoint to the sinuous lines of the meltwater channels. One of the challenges with this type of image is being able to position the tripod, my own feet, and compose the shot without the combined weight breaking through the ice and destroying what I was so attracted to in the first place. Rannoch Moor, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/frosted_blue_leaves_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/frosted_leaves.jpg Frosted Leaves Abandoned leaves in the corner of our garden took on a new lease of life when a veil of frost descended. The dull, brown rather lifeless leaves assumed a sugar coated mantle of ice crystals, making them appear ghostly, almost magical. The blue colour was enhanced using a filter to emphasize the coldness of the day. I would like to confirm at this point, that the pile of leaves had been left in order to create this image and was not a result of gardening laziness. Honest. It just goes to show that winter landscape photos are there for the taking in unexpected places. Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/frosted_leaves_autumn_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/frosted_leaves_2.jpg Frosted Autumn Leaves Fallen Autumn leaves lay scattered all around my feet as I composed this image. I wandered, head down, looking for a composition which would simplify the chaotic jumble of forms. The light frost, whilst highlighting the raised structures in the image and giving them added importance, also meant that nothing could be removed for fear of leaving an an unfrosted gap in the image. Eventually, I settled on this arrangement, which I felt gave a pleasing balance of shape and colour. Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/rolling_barley_field_summer_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/field_clouds.jpg Little Italy Giving the impression more of the Tuscany region of Italy rather than Scottish countryside scenery, I was drawn to this image by the relationship between the gently nodding barley in the field and the cloud formations above. The rolling hills helped provide added interest in form and colour under the strong Summer sun. Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/cul_mor_autumn_inverpolly_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/cul_mor_autumn.jpg Cul Mor Early morning light raked across the undulating, barren, autumn landscape of Inverpolly, making the most of the awesome scenery. Snow on the top of Cul Mor crowned my delight at this scene. The mountains on the left are Coigach and Cul Beag. Thankfully the overnight cloud had started to clear, raising my hopes for a productive days photography. Autumn is my favourite of all the seasons of the year, providing strong colours and low-angled lighting. Inverpolly National Nature Reserve, Assynt, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/st_cyrus_sunset_grampian_tayside_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/cyrus_sunset.jpg St. Cyrus Sunset Standing perched on the cliff top watching the sun sink in the west,  reveals what is one of my favourite coastal views. St Cyrus has a long sandy beach which is interspersed with a number of rocky outcrops. Salmon fishing with static nets is still carried out, and two ice houses used to pack the fish, still stand amongst the grassy dunes. The area is nationally important for birds, flowers and insects.  St. Cyrus Nature Reserve, Grampian, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/ploughed_field_sunrise_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/ploughed_field_tree.jpg Ploughed Early morning light helped to emphasise the strong lead in lines of the ploughed field in this farm landscape. Normally, I would have wanted some cloud formations to fill the sky, but here I felt the warm colours of the land contrasted well with the deep blue colour. The trees have featured in a number of other images with different compositions and time of day, such as Copse Sunset. Brechin, Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/interlude_mountain_reflection_assynt_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/inverpolly_aut.jpg Interlude A brief moment of calm descends on what had been a blustery autumnal day spent traipsing through the sodden peat bogs of Assynt. The sky cleared, revealing the snow capped bulk of Cul Mor flanked by An Laogh. The waves that had been dancing on the lochs surface, diminished and within minutes the water was dead calm, producing a perfect reflection of the mountains. This state of bliss lasted for about ten minutes before the wind increased, the clouds rolled in and the rain pelted the ground for the rest of the day. Inverpolly National Nature Reserve, Assynt, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/digital_ice_pattern_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/ice_pattern.jpg Digital Ice A cold, miserable day did not have me in the best frame of mind for image making. I was trudging up a hill track, looking for inspiration, but with little hope of finding any. As I passed by a large boulder, I noticed it was encased in a sheet of ice, which was unusual as a thaw had long since seen off most ice pockets. As I looked closer, I saw the lichens on the rock face showing through the ice. As I watched, I could see tiny air channels, caused by the thaw, opening up within the ice. The frozen fingers were constantly growing as I hurriedly set up my camera to capture the ever changing abstract patterns. Within minutes the digits had smothered the entire ice sheet like shattered glass. Strathbraan, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/castle_stalker_afterglow_argyll_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/castle_stalker.jpg Stalker Afterglow This image was taken a few minutes after Castle Stalker Sunset as the intensity of the sunset colours started to fade. It is only after the sun is well below the horizon that these gentler, less in your face, pastel tones emerge. I was struck by the bands of purple, pink, yellow and orange created by the afterglow. The gentle tidal movement in the loch helped create the interesting variation in reflected colour seen here. Port Appin, Argyll, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/cill-chroisd_skye_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/cill_chroisd.jpg Beinn na Callich Sunset Hurrying down the road towards every photographer's must have viewpoint of the Black Cuillin from Elgol, I saw this beautiful landscape as I turned a corner and felt compelled to stop. The low angled winter light was striking the upper slopes of Beinn Na Callich in the Red Cuillin, giving a great sense of depth. I love the contrast of the sunlit warm tones of the mountain top and the cool blue tones of the frozen loch in shade in this image.  Torrin, Skye, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/canisp_autumn_assynt_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/canisp_autumn.jpg Canisp As I reached the top of this hill, with each panting breath I realised that I was carrying way too much gear. The temptation when not hiking great distances is to load my backpack with as many lenses as will fit, in order to be  prepared for every type of shot, weather etc. I had, however, not reckoned on the energy sapping quagmire of the lower slopes and was now paying the price. Seeing that a gap in the clouds might provide some sunshine, I had run up the last slopes and was now scurrying around to look for possible images. Fortunately, the sun broke through the clouds momentarily, causing the snow capped peak of Canisp to stand out like a beacon in this wild landscape. Inverpolly National Nature Reserve, Assynt, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/blaven_mountain_1_skye-scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/Blaven1.jpg Jade Sea Skye has the potential for many beautiful landscape images given its numerous dramatic mountains. On this occasion crystal clear light raked the buttresses of Blaven, giving great depth to the scene. Normally I'm not a fan of blue sky days, but here, the strong lighting turned the water a wonderful jade colour more reminiscent of a Caribbean beach. Torrin, Isle of Skye, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/barley_wispy_clouds_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/barley_wispy_clouds.jpg Barley Swirl I was intrigued by this unusual swirling cloud formation hovering above the ripening barley field, the shape of the feathery wisps of clouds echoing the ears of barley.  Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/wheat_wave_clouds_field_trees_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/barley_field_trees.jpg (W)heat Wave Noon, on a Summer's day, with only a gentle breeze to cool the rising temperature. Call me weird, but I would rather be wrapped up against a cold, Autumnal day, with a gale blowing than this stifling heat. In my mind, these two trees in this farm landscape, are like sentinels guarding the wheat crop against the encroaching clouds and their cooling shade. Sorry, must be the heat effecting me. Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/barley_field_clouds_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/barley_field_clouds.jpg Barley Field Glow Late evening sun caressed the tips of the ripening barley, making them glow against the backdrop of dark, brooding clouds. Fortunately the side lighting also breathed life into the trees on the horizon, lifting the dark grees of late summer foliage. An alternate version, taken slightly later as the weather front approached, can be seen in Gathering Storm. Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/barley_field_track_monifieth_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/barley_field.jpg Ripening Barley Tracks As barley ripens, it changes from a lush emerald green, to a glowing golden colour. This alone is not enough to make a strong image, so to add interest, I used the tractor ruts to break up the sea of barley. It also helps to have a focal point at the end of the track, and in this case it was provided by the trees and the cloud formation. Monifieth, Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/autumn_progress_lyon_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/autumn_tree.jpg Autumn Progress As I overlooked a mountain stream tumbling down the hillside, I became aware that the trees on one side of the burn had been stripped of almost all their leaves by the recent gales, whereas, those on the opposite bank were, by and large, intact. I was drawn by the contrast between the tracery of the bare branches and the solid blocks of colour in the background. Thankfully it was an overcast day, providing soft light, otherwise the subtlety of the image would have been overwhelmed. Glen Lyon, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/autumn_gold_dunkeld_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/autumn_hillside.jpg Autumn Gold After taking a "shortcut" up a hillside, which turned out to be steeper, craggier and more densely wooded than I anticipated, I was rewarded with this marvellous vista. I could almost feel the warmth of the glow radiating from this scene as I stood, panting after my exertions,  on the hillside. The backlighting and the shaded contours of the land, made the autumnal Birch and Larch trees seemingly exhale piercing, golden light. The calming green of the evergreen conifers in the background helped soothe my eyes. Dunkeld, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/auchmithie_sunrise_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/auchmithie_sunrise_master.jpg Reawake There is something special about standing on a beach at sunrise. It feels as if the rising sun and waves have wiped the previous days trials and tribulations away, to be no more than a distant memory. All the scrambling over the rocky foreshore in near darkness has paid off, a composition has been found  and the camera is set up on the tripod. The only sounds are the breaking waves on the rocky shore, squawking gulls circling above and perhaps the sound of an outboard motor as a lone fisherman expectantly checks his lobster creels. Not a care in the world. All you have to do is remember to take the photograph. Auchmithie, Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/castle_stalker_sunset_argyll_scotland-2/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/castle_stalker_sunset.jpg Castle Stalker Sunset  Castle Stalker must be one of the most photographed castles in Scotland due to its location and stunning scenery. My hopes of a sunset seemed dashed by the thick layer of cloud hanging over Loch Linnhe. After waiting for half an hour after sunset, I decided to pack up and head back to my car. As I was doing so, I noticed a feint glimmer of colour in the western sky. I hurriedly set up my gear and captured this spectacular scene as the sky exploded with color. Five minutes later, it was all over. Almost the one that got away! Another version can be seen in Stalker Afterglow which shows the amazing transformation a few minutes can make. Port Appin, Argyll,Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/stoer_lighthouse_dusk_assynt_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/stoer_lighthouse_dusk.jpg Lighthouse Dusk After enjoying the Stoer Head Lighthouse Sunset, I wanted to capture an image of the cliff top lighthouse with the lamp lit, but still using the residual dusk light. This image was taken about 45 minutes after sunset, when there was just a hint of sunset colour remaining over the sea towards the Western Isles. Using my usual slow speed film required a long exposure time of many minutes. Knowing the light blinked every 15 seconds, I feared it might become overly burned out by many flashes over the entire exposure time. To prevent this, after the first few flashes, I covered the lens with my hand momentarily when I reckoned the lamp was about to blink.  Stoer Head, Assynt, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/stoer_lighthouse_sunset_assynt_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/stoer2_sunset.jpg Stoer Lighthouse Sunset Stoer Head Lighthouse sit atop cliffs, looking out over The Minches to the Outer Hebrides. On this occasion, it was a Winter's day with a bitterly cold wind. The lighthouse used to be manned until recently and the building is now used for holiday rentals. Definitely a room with a sea view. I waited till well after sunset, with fumbling frozen fingers to capture Lighthouse at Dusk. Stoer Head, Assynt, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/kinoull_sunset_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/kinoull_sunset.jpg Kinoull Sunset Kinoull Hill sits just outside of Perth, overlooking the River Tay as it meanders down to the North Sea. The structure on the cliff edge is a folly and was built as a ruin by the 9th Earl of Kinoull in the 18th century. It was meant to resemble the castles on the Rhine in Germany. I had to work quickly as the light from the setting sun was already off the low lying land and was creeping up the cliff face. With a bit of forward planning, I knew that the moon would be in the right place at this time. Perth, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/autumn_hillside_rannoch_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/rannoch_hillside_autumn.jpg Autumn Hillside A classic Scottsih Autumn scene, with colourful trees and bracken on the hillsides and a loch in the distance. The rocky limestone outcrop created a strong foreground lead in, which was continued by the road and trees, all the way to Dunalastair Water. The small tree was somehow, clinging to life in a shallow cleft in the rock. If only it had grown a few feet away, in the relatively fertile soil, life would have been so much easier. Rannoch, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/loch_rannoch_refelctions_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/loch_rannoch_reflections.jpg Spring Reflections A beautiful calm Spring day produced these perfect reflections of the wooded hillside. I was pleased that the clear waters allowed the stones to be seen, thus creating foreground interest.  Loch Rannoch, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/boat_sunset_pertshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/Rannoch_boat_sunset.jpg Rowing Boat Sunset This was a chance shot, as I was frantically searching the area, trying to second guess where an opening in the clouds would allow the sun to shine through. I just had time to compose the image while the attractive light still reflected off the boat's underside. The three boats on the loch helped to emphasise the lead in of the wooden posts. A few moments it was all over. Loch Rannoch, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/sunset_tree_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/sunset_tree_newbigging_angus.jpg Sunset Tree There had been heavy cloud all day, until about half an hour before sunset, when the sky started to clear. I grabbed my camera gear and rushed to this spot in the hope of capturing a sunset. Running up the track by the edge of the field, I could see the sun sinking ever lower and the wonderful clouds glowing with amazing vividness. I hurriedly managed to compose and fire off a couple of frames before the sun disappeared over the horizon. Phew! Newbigging, Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/misty_loch_errochty_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/loch_errochty_perthshire.jpg Autumn Morning, Loch Errochty  I had woken to find a thick impenetrable, fog, hung over this loch. However, the rising sun started to burn it off surprisingly quickly. I had to balance my desire to see a hint of the distant snow capped mountains, while still retaining some of the exquisite, misty atmosphere. The lovely soft side lighting on the rocks helped give a feeling of depth to the image. Rannoch, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/winter_stream__dream_dunkeld_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/winter_river_brann_scotland.jpg Winter Stream Dream A covering of snow blanketed the river banks creating an almost monochromatic scene. I was drawn by the way the snow lay on the branches mimicking the flow of the river through the rocks. With the river and both near and far branches intermingling, a sense of cohesion was generated in the image. The Hermitage, Dunkeld, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/old_man_of_storr_sunrise_skye_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/storr_sunrise_skye_2.jpg Old Man of Storr Sunrise Taken a few minutes after the Old Man of Storr Dawn shot, this image shows the first light of sunrise hitting the barren landscape. By knowing where the sun would rise this morning, I knew I could keep the rock formations silhouetted to give them even greater prominence.  I did not linger at this location as I was wedged at the foot of a cliff and the warming sun was loosening rocks, which fell down with alarming regularity. Isle of Skye, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/old_man_of_storr_dawn_skye_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/storr_sunrise_skye_1.jpg Old Man of Storr Dawn If you want fantastic outdoor scenery then the Isle of Skye has it all in abundance. The Storr situated on the Trotternish area of the island and is the largest landslip in Britain. It is home to a number of strangely shaped pinnacles, the most famous being the 50m high Old Man of Storr. Having hurriedly climbed the hill to capture the dawn, I composed the shot to convey the lunar like landscape. The distant Cuillins seemed to echo the shapes of their smaller cousins. If you would like to see how the scene is transformed after a few minutes, click here. Isle of Skye, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/killiecrankie_frosted_trees_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/killiecrankie_frosted_trees.jpg Frosted Trees It was a bitterly cold, late Autumn morning as I stood waiting to catch this magnificent scene. The soft light was perfect for this type of subject but I had to work quickly to capture the image before the sun rose, introducing harsh contrast to the photograph. Although the leaves had fallen from some of the trees, a hard overnight frost had highlighted the tracery of their branches. This, along with the remaining autumn colours, created a beautiful spectacle. Killiecrankie, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/tonality_lauder_borders_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/wall_tree_tonality_borders.jpg Tonality I happened to glimpse this roadside scene as I was traveling by car to another location. It was one of those occasions where you are in two minds whether to stop and investigate or not. After parking and walking back to this spot, I was immediately struck by not just the similar tones, but also the matching lichen growths on the wall and tree. As they were in shade, under a clear sky, they both radiated a lovely blue grey colour. The comparison between the hard, ordered, structure of the wall against the chaotic patterns of the branches was intriguing. In short, I'm glad I stopped. Lauder, Borders https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/uath_lochans_framework_cairngorms_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/web_Uathan_trees_01-021-195-Edit-15-300dpi-glsy.jpg Framework  After spending a few hours walking round these lovely lochs in the forest, I was heading back to my car, when I saw the opportunity for this image. I liked the idea of creating depth to the image by using the tree trunks, in shade, as a frame looking through to the wider landscape. I carefully positioned myself so that the lone sunlit tree was in a gap and had a cloud shadow behind it to make it stand out. Snow capped mountains rounded the scene off nicely. Uath Lochans, Cairngorms, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/garbh_bheinn_sunset_skye_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/Garbh_bheinn_sunset_skye.jpg Garbh Bheinn Sunset    Skye, not only has some of the most impressive British mountains in the Cuillin range, but also some of the best coastal regions. Here I combined both aspects on this calm Summer's evening. The peak of Garbh Bheinn was reflected on the waters of Loch Slapin and the drifting mottled clouds echoed the scattering of seaweed covered stones on the foreshore. As luck would have it, a slight breeze ruffled the distant waters producing a vital part of the composition. This lighter area gave an important degree of separation between the mountains and their reflections. Torrin, Skye, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/gathering_storm_barley_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/barley_field_trees_scotland.jpg Gathering Storm I was fortunate to be passing this field when the sun briefly broke through the menacing clouds. I hurriedly rushed to the field gate, as I knew the light would not last. Composing quickly I managed to fire off a few shots before the glorious lighting was gone. The late evening light empahasised the glowing barley against the brooding, dark clouds. Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/blue_ice_pattern_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/blue_ice_pattern_scotland.jpg River of Ice After days of freezing temperatures, a slight thaw had set in, forcing the ice to release its grip on this section of ice on the river's edge. The flowing edges of the melt lines gave a pleasing sinuous shape when contrasted with the sharp, angular ice crystal structures. The coldness in this abstract is emphasised by enhancing the blue colour already present,  I like the idea of the scale of the image being ambiguous. It could cover a couple of inches or feet or with a bit of imagination it could be an aerial view of rivers in any icy wasteland. An alternate version can be seen in Ice Pattern. Rannoch Moor, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/hillside_light_autumn_rannoch_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/limestone_pavement_scotland.jpg Temporal Order  When endeavouring to capture beautiful scenery, the most important element is the quality of light. Shooting mid morning, the placement of the light was vital to this composition. I was using the limestone pavement as a foreground lead in to the Autumnal trees, and was wanting both these constituents in sunlight. I waited until a passing cloud cast a shadow on the surrounding hills, which helped separate the trees from the background. I was equally lucky that at that moment, the distant peak was lit, creating another layer to the composition. The icing on the cake was the clouds passing either side of the peak. Rannoch, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/autumn_road_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/woodland_road_autumn.jpg Autumn Road I was determined to capture this winding road and the beautiful fall colors of the leaves despite the increasing wind. One of the problems encountered when creating stitched panoramic images is where the subject matter moves, before exposing adjoining images. This can create mismatched in areas such as branches. On this day, the problem was increased by the overcast light and deep shade which required lengthy exposure times for each segment. I had to make repeated attempts at creating this image until I achieved one with no movement during the entire shooting process. Pitlochry, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/windswept_barley_field_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/windy_barley_sunset_angus.jpg Windswept Barley Field On this windy evening, I decided to capture the movement of the barley using a slow shutter speed, I just had to wait for the setting sun to drop into a gap in the clouds. This happened only for a brief few seconds. I liked how the glowing colour of the barley echoed that of the clouds. Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/white_poppy_northumberland_england/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/white_poppy_northumberlnd.jpg White Poppy After being seduced by the mass of red poppies in this field, I noticed this lone white poppy out of the corner of my eye. By getting low, I was able to shoot through some of the red flowers to give the image a soft ethereal feel.  Northumberland, England https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/convergence_glen_etive_argyll_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/waterfall_rocks_glen_etive.jpg Stream Convergence It had been a wet couple of days and the water in the rivers and streams were running full over this waterfall. I was impressed by the impregnable looking rocks, which seemed to form a solid barrier, Yet, it was the flowing water that was steadily carving channels in the rock. Glen Etive, Argyll, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/flow_aberfeldy_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/waterfall_detail_aberfeldy.jpg Go with the Flow I love the simplicity of this abstract picture. In a woodland clearing, a stream passed over the lip of a low lying weir, creating ribbons of water. By using a long exposure, the water has been transformed to look almost like folds in cloth. As the water was in shade, it picked up its blue colour from the clear sky above, giving it further texture. Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/defiance_etive_argyll_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/waterfall_boulder_glen_etive.jpg Defiance The River Etive flows down the glen through a succession of falls, over rocks which have a wonderful pink colour. A series of ledges, over which the water flows, have been gouged into the surrounding rock by the force of the water. These ledges are a popular spot for kayakers who like a challenge. I like to think that this rock, with its battle scarred face, is defiantly standing against the unstoppable force.  Glen Etive, Argyll, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/woodland_streams_aberfeldy_perthshire_2_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/waterfall_autumn_aberfeldy.jpg Woodland Streams In Autumn The challenge with this photo was to create a pleasing composition from the chaos of branches as due to the terrain, I was unable to move my angle of view. I liked the idea of the two streams tumbling down the hillside to join forces when they merged. By combining near and far waterfalls as scale elements, I was seeking to give an impression of the wider landscape. Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/waterfall_aberfeldy_perthshire_2_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/waterfall_detail_aberfeldy_2.jpg Waterfall I was pleased to find that these falls had just the right amount of water flowing over them. Too little and excessive areas of rock would show, too much and the smaller detailed cascades would have been obliterated. The image at first glance, looks black and white, being almost devoid of colour apart from a few small leaves stuck of the face of the waterfall. Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/brink_falls_aberfeldy_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/water_cascade_aberfeldy.jpg On The Brink I was captivated by the leafs struggle not to be swept over the waterfall. It had been taken to the brink by the rushing water, but for a few brief moments managed to resist the forces of nature before inevitably, being swept downstream. The overhead branches reflected in the water, created the interesting patterns above the falls. Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/urlar_burn_aberfeldy_perthshire_autumn_3_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/urlar_burn_aberfeldy_perths.jpg Urlar Burn in Autumn No.3 This image was made early in Autumn before the leaves have turned fully. I photographed the burn from a little footbridge over the gushing waterfall, just after dawn on a cloudy morning. This early light gave the scene a pleasant mix of warm and cool tones.  Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/swirling_autumnal_river_pitlochry_perthshire/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/trees_stream_autumn_perths.jpg Swirling Autumnal River  The swirling eddies of the river can be glimpsed through the frame provided by the tree trunks. It had been raining all day as I trudged along the riverbank, soaked to the skin, looking for elusive images. The advantage of wet weather is that it really brings the fall colors alive. The disadvantage (apart for the obvious) is keeping raindrops off the front of the lens. River Garry, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/luninescence_fields_fife_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/trees_rolling_hillside_fife.jpg Luminescence Low backlighting on these rolling hills made the vegetation glow with a luminescent colour green. The inclined field boundaries and shadow areas gave a sense of depth to the image, which in reality was a small section of the landscape. Craigrothie, Fife, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/tay_autumn_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/trees_river_autumn_perths.jpg River Tay in Autumn The Autumn season created a colour explosion on the banks of the River Tay. The variety of colors and textures in this river landscape were amazing. The River Tay is the longest in Scotland and the largest by volume in the UK. Here, it is modestly sized, but helps create a lead in, which can sometimes be hard to find in panoramic landscape photography. Dunkeld, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/autumn_tapestry_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/trees_hillside_autumn_perths.jpg Autumn Tapestry Much to my annoyance, cruel winds had been ripping the leaves off the trees in the Autumn landscape. The Autumn season is a fragile one that can be changed overnight to either produce stunning colour or end abruptly. However on this occasion, it created a mix of branches and leaves which had lovely textural quality about them. Rannoch, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/approaching_autumn_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/trees_field_autumn_perths.jpg Approaching Autumn A lovely autumn day, with plenty of sunshine, brought the colours alive in this hillside landscape. The lone tree and its brothers dictated that a panoramic format had to be used, no other option would have worked. An important element in this composition was the shadow in the foreground which filled the expanse of grass and gave the whole image a solid base.  Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/end_of_day_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/trees_clouds_sunset_angus.jpg End of the Day What had already been a spectacular sunset steadfastly refused to end. The almost garish colours of the clouds were now more subdued, as if resting after their frantic burst activity. The warm colours of the layered lenticular clouds contrasted well against the ever darkening blue of the sky. Fauldiehill, Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/harmony_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/trees_clouds_sunset_angus_2.jpg Harmony For me, this image sums up what a beautiful landscape photograph should strive to attain. The individual components and composition are simple, but everything just seems to work together effortlessly. Whenever I look at this image, it always gives me a deep feeling of the peacefulness I experienced when making it.   Brechin, Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/inclined_planes_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/trees_autumn_glen_lednock.jpg Inclined Planes In many respects, the trees on the hillside in this image are not the main subject even though they are in a prime location. In my mind, they play a supporting role to the different coloured wedges in the frame. These inclined planes are differentiated by either physical, tonal or textural boundaries. They form a graphical focal point and the trees bind them together with their branches. Glen Lednock, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/three_trees_detail_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/tree_trunks_pattern_perths.jpg Three Trees  By carefully positioning myself to arrange these three trees to overlap a sense of visual ambiguity is created. It is hard for the mind to work out the order which trunks are arranged e.g. fore, middle and background. What was a straightforward scene becomes one of those elusive images for the viewer. Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/autumn_gold_pitlochry_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/tree_reflection_perthshire.jpg Autumn Gold Reflection Late afternoon sun set the loch side ablaze with color. By including the distant hillside in the image, I was hoping to give a strong sense of the wider location. The tightly packed, regimented rows of fir contrasted well with the random scattering of birches on the hillside. Pitlochry, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/autumn_passage_pitlochry_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/tree_loch_autumn_perthshire.jpg Autumn Procession  The overcast lighting was perfect to bring out the rich colors of the trees lining Loch Faskally. I was amazed at the variety of colours of the trees in their various stages of turning. Pitlochry, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/autumn_mirage_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/tree_reflection_loch_perths.jpg Autumn Mirage Such is the perfection of the reflection on this calm day, that the eye needs time to make sense of the reality of this image. The demarcation between trees and their reflection in the loch has become blurred. Pitlochry, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/autumnal_hillside_pano_perthshire_scotland_2/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/tree_hills_autumn_perthshire.jpg Autumnal Hillside Panorama 2 Wonderful autumn colours carpet this hillside in a dazzling show. It is not easy to get a meaningful composition from a scene such as this. With horizontal panoramas, the eye tends to read the image from left to right. I tried to satisfy this by placing the two isolated yellow and green trees at either end of the image.  Dunkeld, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/elephants_eye_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/tree_eye_pattern_angus.jpg Elephant's Eye While looking for details in the landscape, I came across this tree trunk, which to me, bears a striking resemblance to an elephant's eye and trunk. Even the texture of the bark reminded me of crinkly elephant skin.  Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/golden_sunrise-errol-perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/sunrise_field_trees_perthshre.jpg Golden Sunrise The rising sun, breaching the low lying hills creates a splash of gold on this farming landscape. The mackerel clouds echo the texture of the young barley crop. Errol, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/stubble_field_sunrise_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/stubble_field_trees_angus.jpg Stubble Field Sunrise The harvest was over and the land was resting after a productive year. Grasses were just starting to grow through the stubble, giving it a green sheen.  Stubble fields allow scope to create a strong visual lead in to an image. Here I was fortunate with the placement of the trees, which help complete the eyes journey. Monifieth, Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/autumn_harvest_longforgan_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/straw_bales_trees_autumn.jpg Autumn Harvest I loved the muted tones in this farm landscape. The colours and the hint of mist suggest the end of the farming year, when everything shuts down until the Spring awakening. Longforgan, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/road_to_nowhere_lindisfarne_northumberland_england/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/tracks_mudflats_lindisfarne.jpg Road To Nowwhere  Lindisfarne, or Holy Island, is a tidal island off the coast of Northumberland. It is the site of a ruined monastery, which was founded in 635 AD and suffered under Viking raids. The island is linked to the mainland by a tidal causeway which floods at high tide, stranding any driver ignoring the tide times. I noticed these tyre tracks veering off onto the mudflats, about half way over at dusk. There seemed to be no reason or obvious destination for them and more worryingly, no return tracks. Or maybe, the tracks were coming from the North Sea on to the causeway, providing evidence of a new invasion by Vikings in amphibious vehicles, rather than longboats! Lindisfarne, Northumberland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/echoes_embleton_bay_northumberland_england/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/waves_boulders_embleton.jpg Echoes  Just before dawn, on a calm summers day, I had headed for the coast to capture the first light. The rising tide created a gentle swell, which lapped the boulders on the rocky beach. I had initially been hoping for more in the way of wave action to create drama and break up the expanse of sea. By careful timing I was able to capture two waves approaching the boulders. The final ingredient was aligning the similar shapes of the clouds, waves and boulders to create a succession of echoing shapes. Embleton Bay, Northumberland, England https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/farming_on_the_up_fife_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/spring_crops_tree_pano_fife.jpg Hill Farm Fife is a very fertile area of Scotland and every available piece of land is turned to agriculture. These steep slopes must make it tricky for farmers to cultivate. Fife, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/suilven_splendour_assynt_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/snowy_suilven_canisp_assynt.jpg Suilven Splendour Suilven is one of the most distinctive Scottish mountains. It is made of Torridonian sandstone and consists of a 2km long knife edge ridge fringed by steep slopes. This was a cracking winters morning without a breath of wind. Vikings gave many mountains names and Suilven means "Pillar" as this mountain, from the sea, looks like a giant domed pillar rising from the flat landscape. Assynt, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/diels_heid_arbroath_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/stack_rainbow_arbroath_angs.jpg Deil's Heid The walk from Arbroath to Auchmithie is one of my favourite Scottish coastal walks. It feature impressive cliffs and bays and is dotted by numerous rock formations. The Deil's Heid is a stack made of the red sandstone which is ubiquitous on this stretch of coast. It is not a true sea stack as it always manages to keep one toe on dry land. I waited until the sun had started to dip behind the surrounding cliffs and then captured the moment when the shadow and horizon were aligned. As luck would have it a distant rainbow also made an appearance. Arbroath, Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/stac_pollaidh_sentinel_inverpolly_assynt_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/stac_pollaidh_ice_loch_assynt.jpg Stac Pollaidh Sentinel Stac Pollaidh (Polly) must surely be one of the most shapely peaks in Britain, Although relatively diminutive in stature it has immense character which changes depending on the angle of view. The frozen loch and slopes had not yet been touched by the sun and reflected the blue of the sky above creating a colour contrast. Inverpolly National Nature Reserve, Assynt, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/stac_pollaidh_winter_sunrise_inverpolly_assynt_scotland_2/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/stac_pollaidh_assynt_snow.jpg Stac Pollaidh Sunrise The first rays of sunlight were just peeking from behind the Assynt mountains to illuminate the snow covered peak of Stac Pollaidh (Stac Polly) when I made this image.  This view hides the crumbling ridge of weathered Torridonian sandstone, which can provide some interesting scrambling. Inverpolly National Nature Reserve, Assynt, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/stac_pollaidh_banner_cloud_inverpolly_assynt_scotland_2/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/snowy_stac_pollaidh_assynt.jpg Stac Pollaidh and Banner Cloud No.2 The mountains in Inverpolly, although not the highest, are splendidly isolated from each other. This isolation can precipitate a meteorological effect known as banner clouds. In this image the mountain slopes in shadow act as a natural frame to the sunlit peak and cloud. Inverpolly National Nature Reserve, Assynt, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/stac_pollaidh_banner_cloud_inverpolly_assynt_scotland_1/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/stac_pollaidh_assynt_cloud_2.jpg Stac Pollaidh and Banner Cloud No.1  Stationary banner clouds form down wind of isolated peaks and can remain for many hours. The mechanism for this is the presence of a lee eddy which forces air coming over the mountain, up again until it condenses and forms a cloud. Inverpolly National Nature Reserve, Assynt, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/cul_mor_winter_sunrise_3_assynt_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/snowy_cul_mor_assynt.jpg Cul Mor Sunrise The twin tops of Cul Mor were lit by the first rays of sunlight one freezing Winters morning. The cloud cover was nearly complete, but a small gap opened, illuminating the snow covered mountain and clouds with a warm glow for a few brief moments. Inverpolly National Nature Reserve, Assynt, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/coigach_cul_beag_winter_assynt_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/snowy_assynt_mountains.jpg Coigach and Cul Beag in Winter The barrenness of the landscape can readily be seen in this image. The habitat consists mainly of peat bogs and lochs with only occasional trees. Despite the stark reality, it is a place of immense beauty, having what must be amongst the best British mountains, providing fantastic views of land and sea. In this image, a break in the clouds illuminates Cul Beag making it radiant. Inverpolly National Nature Reserve, Assynt, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/coigach_in_winter_inverpolly_assynt_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/snowy_coigach_range_assynt.jpg Coigach in Winter The multiple summits of Coigach are shown here resplendent in a covering of snow. The highest mountain is Ben Mor Coigach which is the peak on the left. The dark clouds gathering over the mountains signaled the arrival of further snow showers. Inverpolly National Nature Reserve, Assynt, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/first_snows_rannoch_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/snow_hills_autumn_prthshre.jpg First Snows The first snows of Autumn have coated the hills which are lit by sunlight streaming through a gap in the clouds. I composed the image to create blocks of habitat and colour. This mountainous landscape includes low level forestry, sparsely vegetated upland areas and snow covered mountains. Rannoch, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/new_life_rannoch_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/sapling_lochside_rannoch.jpg New Life A Silver Birch sapling clings onto life on the rocky banks of a loch. This was the only vegetation to be found on the rocky shoreline apart from occasional grasses and mosses. The sun had just set on the landscape and the final rays were lingering on Meall Buidhe which is the mountain in the background. Loch Eigheach, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/new_day_craster_northumberland_england/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/rocks_tide_bamburgh.jpg New Day The coastal region of Northumberland is a delightful mixture of rocky and sandy beaches. It faces directly out into the North Sea before eventually making landfall in Denmark. This coast can endure the worst of storms, but for this dawn, the sea was benign and the waves lapped gently on the rocky foreshore.  Craster, Northumberland, England https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/river_rock_glen_etive_argyll_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/rock_stream_glen_etive.jpg Wet and Dry Ignoring the magnificence of the wider Glen Etive landscape, I concentrated on a small section of rock in the swirling river. The flowing water contrasts well with the solidity of the rock, whilst the rock faces themselves echo the grandeur of the surrounding mountains. I particularly like the thin dividing line highlight between the clear water and rock which zig-zags across the image. Glen Etive, Argyll, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/raging_bull_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/rock_bull_face_perthshire.jpg Raging Bull I enjoy looking for the abstract landscape which is hidden from immediate view. In this image, the rock surface was interesting, but seeing the angle of the lines I hoped to reveal different graphic impressions. By using a mirror image technique I could readily see the charging bulls face. It is interesting to note that when using this technique, our minds more often than not perceive a face in the resulting symmetry. Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/autumn_passage_glen_lyon_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/road_autumn_glen_lyon.jpg Autumn Passage At the entrance to Glen Lyon, the road travels along the side of a steep sided wooded gorge.  It is so narrow that it almost seems to bar the way round its tight corners. I was standing nervously on the retaining wall as I took a series of images to create this panorama. Glen Lyon, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/river_etive_waterfalls_winter_argyll_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/river_etive_waterfall_winter.jpg River Etive Waterfalls in Winter The River Etive weaves its way through the glen, dropping over a succession of rocky ledges. If you want to try your hand at capturing waterfall scenery, it is a fantastic location to visit. The open aspect, with sporadic trees, allows the mountains to form a imposing backdrop. Glen Etive, Argyll, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/river_braan_autumn_aberfeldy_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/river_braan_autumn_pano.jpg River Braan in Autumn I was wanting to express the almost claustrophobic feeling I sensed as the river threaded its way through the autumnal forest. Only the water bubbling over rocks gives an indication of the course of the river. By choosing a vertical panoramic format, the more emphasis was placed on the trees, which helped conceal the river to a greater extent.  Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/river_etive_winter_argyll_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/river_etive_snow__mountains.jpg River Etive in Winter It had been a bone numbingly damp winters day as I travelled the length of Glen Etive scouring the landscape for inspiration. The cloud had been thick and the drizzle relentless. Suddenly the clouds started to thin, allowing the weak sun to be seen. I quickly teetered over the slippy rocks and set up my tripod midstream. Composing the image promptly, I managed to fire off two frames before the sun retreated behind the clouds never to be seen for the rest of the day. Glen Etive, Argyll, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/poppy_field_tracks_fife_3_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/poppy_field_track_trees_fife.jpg Poppy Field Tracks Such a mass of colourful flowers in nature, while visually impressive, can create difficulties when trying to compose a strong image. Here, tractor ruts leave an impression which forms a lead in for the eye to follow through the sea of red.   Kilconquhar, Fife, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/barley_field_poppies_northumberland_2/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/poppy_field_northumberlnd.jpg Barley and Poppy Field No.2 Contrary to the air of calmness this image portrays, there was actually a stiff breeze blowing this Summers day. The clouds were scudding by almost as fast as the buzzing bees were being blown past my head. It was a case of waiting for a shapely cloud to appear coinciding with a lull in the wind. Northumberland, England https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/poppy_field_panorama_kilconquhar_fife_2_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/poppy_field_kilconquhar_fife.jpg Poppy Panorama  I had seen a photograph of this poppy field in our local newspaper and decided to forego a planned game of golf to check it out. When I arrived, I realised it was a good choice. The field was ablaze with colour and I liked the contrast of the red and white of the flowers. I positioned the tractor ruts to lead up to the farm buildings on the horizon to give a focal point.  Kilconquhar, Fife, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/poppy_impression_northumberland3_england/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/poppy_abstract_northmbrlnd.jpg Poppy Impression No.3  A field of swaying poppies created the opportunity for some impressionistic photography. Normally I have my camera mounted firmly on a tripod, in order to give maximum sharpness in the image. Here, however, I was handholding the camera and rotating it as I made the photograph. I added to the sense of dynamism by rotating the camera off center. This required a lot of experimentation, which thankfully with digital, is a lot less expensive than in the days of film. Northumberland, England https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/pine_trunk_blur_cairngorms_scotland2/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/pine_tree_blur_cairngorms.jpg Pine Trunk Blur 2   In order to keep some detail in the branches of the trunk, I held the camera steady for part of the exposure, before panning it upward, creating the blur. This technique is a lot easier to master with the advent of digital photography, which makes it more cost effective than film when experimenting. Kincraig, Cairngorms National Park, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/shade_light_kinglass_argyll_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/pine_mountain_glen_kinglass.jpg Shade and Light By waiting a short time, I was able to capture the same scene as "Light and Shade", but this time with the pine tree in shade. This gives a more graphical feel to the tree reducing it to a silhouette against the mountain backdrop.  Glen Kinglass, Argyll, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/forest_contrasts_lednock_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/pine_forest_hills_autumn.jpg Forest Contrasts   A rather precarious position on this hillside enabled me to capture the differing contrasts in colour and shapes between the types of trees. The heavily wooded slopes are separated by a deep ravine giving a juxtaposition of scale. Glen Lednock, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/bluebell-wood-path_perthshire_scotland2/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/path_bluebell_wood_perth_2.jpg Bluebell Wood Path No.2 This is one of my favourite mass flower images. This Oak wood was truly an assault on the senses. The Spring flowers  were at their peak on this calm morning and the colours were unbelievable. The path follows a meandering route through the woodland providing a delightful few hours diversion. Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/bluebell_wood_perthshire_pano3_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/path_bluebell_wood_perth.jpg Bluebell Wood Path No.3 This wood is a perfect place to while away a couple of hours just wandering through it, absorbing the intense spring colours and smells.  Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/am_bioran_comrie_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/mountains_autumn_comrie.jpg Am Bioran and Ben Vorlich  One of these classic images of Scotland with the low lying glen constrained by characterful mountains. The fall colors this day were truly amazing. Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/recession_glencoe_highland_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/mountain_recession_glencoe.jpg Recession The slopes of Glencoe were catching the last rays of the setting sun when I captured this image. The particles in the atmosphere helped separate the individual mountain layers whilst keeping the feeling of razor sharp ridges. Glen Coe, Highlands, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/light_shade_kinglass_argyll_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/mountain_glen_kinglass_pine.jpg Light and Shade The emptiness of the landscape was punctuated by this lone Caledonian Pine, a remnant of great forests that used to cover much of the land. In this image, I took a traditional approach, capturing the tree highlighted against the darker shadow of a cloud on the hillside. This location is a superb amphitheatre of mountains and the rich autumn colours helped maximise the intensity of the scene. Glen Kinglass, Argyll, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/borderline_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/mixed_forest_hills_autumn.jpg Borderline I was attracted by the boundary and contrasts between the two types of forests in this image. There is a visual contrast on a number of layers, whether it be colourful / monochromatic, randomness of shape / regular or man made / natural. I liked the fact that there was some blurring of the borders in that the deciduous area had some conifer trees and the green coniferous area had some areas of colour. It was as if both sides were merging as they seek a point of balance or harmony. Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/emergence_dundee_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/misty_trees_spring_dundee.jpg Emergence Thick mist was covering this parkland on a calm Spring morning as the Cherry blossom was just emerging. I wanted to create an image where more details become apparent the longer you looked at it. The soft light was perfect for this and the mist provided just the right amount of separation between the trees. The restricted muted palette enhanced the tranquil atmosphere. In a short space of time the mist burned off and the ambience was gone. Dundee, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/misty_farm_landscape_fife_scotland2/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/misty_fields_at_sunrise_fife.jpg Misty Farm Landscape No.2 Using a long telephoto lens helps to compress the scene in order to emphasis the layers. I was wanting to achieve a zig-zag composition which would lead the viewer through the scene from bottom to top. Hill of Tarvit, Fife, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/misty_farm_landscape_fife_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/misty_farming_country_fife.jpg Misty Farm Landscape No.1 Early Autumn and the harvest is complete. Temperatures slowly rise as the sun starts to burn off the overnight mist. The combination of beautiful countryside scenery, rising mist and warm light creates a lovely image.  Hill of Tarvit, Fife, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/rolling_farmland_pano_fife2_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/misty_countryside_fife.jpg Rolling Farm Landscape  The harvest had been safely gathered in as the first tints of Autumn started to show in the trees. This is a very gentle pastoral scene with an air of calmness as the countryside relaxes after a productive year. Fife, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/misty_dawn_tarvit_fife2_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/misty_dawn_tarvit_fife2_scotland.jpg Misty Dawn Checking the forecast the previous night suggested a marked drop in overnight temperature with no wind. This combination can lead to early morning mist which can be accentuated by finding some higher ground. here the undulating farm landscape was enhanced by the mist to reveal a succession of layers. Hill of Tarvit, Fife, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/ice_fracture_assynt2_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/melting_ice_loch_assynt.jpg Ice Fracture A narrow loch, which had previously been frozen solid, was now beginning to melt with the rise in air temperature.  Pools of meltwater were forming revealing where there were undulations in the ice. The water picked up the reflections of the snow covered hillside on the other side of the loch. As a contrast to the sinuous shapes of these pools, fractures had also formed, punctuating the calmness of the scene. Assynt, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/pioneer_tree_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/lone_pine_tree_rannoch.jpg Pioneer This knarled pine tree grips to life on a rocky outcrop which seems to offer a very precarious foothold. The sun was sinking lower and the shadows were marching onward through the scene as I tried to wedge tripod legs into awkwardly placed nooks and crannies. The background trees are on the other side of a river bank and I see the lone tree as a pioneer spirit boldly conquering new territories.  Rannoch, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/fluidity_abstract_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/knarled_tree_perthshire.jpg Fluidity Moving in close for an abstract image, I was drawn by the apparent motion in this knarled tree trunk. The folds and knots in the wood reminded me of bubbles in a stream flowing smoothly with occasional swirling eddies. It also reminded me of the Norwegian Symbolist painter Edvard Munch' painting "The Scream". Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/first_light_dunkeld_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/hillside_first_light_perthshire.jpg First Light Taken moments before "Perfection", the rising sun has just clipped the autumn tree tops making them glow. The full force of the sun has yet to light the clouds on fire. Dunkeld, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/breathing_space_glen-lednock_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/hills_autumn_glen_lednock_.jpg Breathing Space  Glen Lednock is a delightful glen in the heart of Perthshire. It ranges from woodlands with waterfalls to open hill farms surrounded by knobbly peaks. Here, I positioned the farm house in the middle of the composition to give an impression of the wide open space. Glen Lednock, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/heads_in_the_clouds_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/heads_clouds_abstract.jpg Heads in the Clouds  The clouds in this abstract image reminded of two heads facing outward deep in thought. Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/forzen_in_time_etive_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/grass_frozen_lake_glencoe.jpg Frozen in Time In my mind, the frozen grasses in this abstract image suggested Lowry-esque stick people rushing about in a snow storm on their way home.  Glen Etive, Argyll, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/progression_ice_cairngorms_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/grass_frozen_ice_cairngorms.jpg Ice Progession I was attracted by the ice at the edge of a loch by the different states of ice. These states ranged from thin, barely perceptible ice through to thicker ice with grasses trapped in it. One of the problems with this type of photography is being able to position the tripod without shattering the ice sheet. Cairngorms National Park, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/grampians_autumn_glen_kinglass_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/grampian_mountain_autumn.jpg Grampian Mountains and Loch Tulla Fine Autumn weather made for a pleasant outing in the hills. The clouds were just hovering on the mountain tops, but were broken enough to allow the raking light to highlight the foreground grasses.  Glen Kinglass, Argyll, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/autumn_glen_kinglass_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/glen_kinglass_autumn_argyll.jpg Autumn Glen Glen Kinglass is a classic Scottish landscape, being ringed by mountains and having a river running through it. A gusting wind was blowing the grasses about wildly as I was fighting to keep my tripod steady to capture this image. I liked how the globular clouds echoed the clumps of grass in the foreground. Glen Kinglass, Argyll, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/end_of_the_line_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/felled_log_stack_trees_angus.jpg End of the Line Felled trees await the inevitable trip to a sawmill.  Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/fertile_land_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/farmland_in_spring_perth.jpg Fertile Land Bounded by hills on either side, Strathearn is a very fertile area with large amounts of agricultural land, dotted with small villages. The light on this fine Autumn morning made the colour in the landscape spectacularly vibrant. Strathearn, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/reach_auchmithie_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/dawn_auchmithie_beach.jpg Reach At low tide, rocky outcrops with embedded pebbles extend in to the North Sea from Auchmithie beach. They mirror the old harbour wall not just by being parallel, but also due to the fact that they are both suffering the effects of coastal erosion. Taken about half an hour before sunrise, I used a long exposure to smooth the incoming waves. Auchmithie, Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/cul_mor_winter_sunrise2_assynt_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/cul_mor_winter_assynt.jpg Cul Mor Winter Sunrise A cold night sleeping in my car was rewarded by a lovely sunrise. The warm colours in the sky contrasted well with the blue shadows on the snow. Moments like this make the challenges of creating mountain photos very gratifying. Inverpolly National Nature Reserve, Assynt, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/cul_beag_winter_sunrise_assynt2_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/cul_mor_assynt_snow_dawn.jpg Cul Beag Winter Sunrise One of the challenges of winter landscape photography is keeping your hands warm as you take photos. My new, thick gloves had kept my fingers toasty warm on the climb up, perhaps a bit too warm. The inside lining was now soaked in perspiration, which was rapidly freezing. I had to resort to a thin backup pair, which meant an uncomfortable day ahead. At least the snow covered mountain view warmed my heart. Inverpolly National Nature Reserve, Assynt, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/cul_beag_dawn_inverpolly_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/cul_beag_dawn_assynt.jpg Cul Beag Dawn Thick snow on the lower slopes had hampered my efforts to be in position for dawn. As a result, I was rushing about trying to find a good composition without creating footprints all over this wonderful winter landscape, Apart from the cold, the conditions were kind, with not a cloud in the sky nor a breath of wind. Inverpolly National Nature Reserve, Assynt, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/golden_road_sunrise_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/country_road_sunrise_angus.jpg Golden Road Sunrise A spectacular sunrise filled the air with an orange glow I could almost taste. It unfortunately didn't take long before the sun moved into the cloud base and the magic was gone. Brechin, Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/black_rock_cottage_sunset2_glencoe_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/cottage_buachaille_etive_mor_glencoe.jpg Black Rock Cottage Sunset This cottage is very popular amongst photographers due to its location, with the mighty Buachaille Etive Mor as a backdrop. It is still in use as a climbing club hut, being ideal for exploring the surrounding mountains. "The Great Herdsman of Etive" is probably the most iconic Scottish mountain, having appeared on countless shortbread tins, postcards and calendars. Nonetheless, I usually stop by when passing, to see how it looks in the ever changing weather. Glen Coe, Highlands, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/bluebell_dream_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/bluebell_wood_blur_pano.jpg Bluebell Dream One of the challenges with photographing trees in woods is to get a pleasing composition.  It often takes some time to find a position where there are just enough tree trunks, not too many, not too few and then change position inch by inch to get enough separation between them. Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/bluebell_wood_path_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/bluebell_wood_path_perth.jpg Bluebell Wood Path  The Spring woodland floor was carpeted by thousands of bluebells, creating an incandescent mauve. Bees hummed in approval of this sight, as they flitted from flower to flower. Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/bluebell_wood_abstract_perthshire_1_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/blueblells_trees_abstract_blur.jpg Bluebell Wood Abstract No.1 An unusual image for me in that I don't create many square format pictures, but I feel it works here. I find the asymmetrical composition appealing, giving the image some bite. I was careful to keep the blur created by panning, to a level where the Oak tree trunks retain a degree of detail. Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/inverpolly_winter_panorama_assynt_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/coigach_stac_pollaidh_asynt2.jpg Inverpolly Winter Panorama A chink of light managed to break through the brooding clouds to illuminate the snow covered mountains with weak sunlight. This view encompasses a number of fine Scottish mountains. The mountains from left to right are Coigach, Cul Beag, Stac Pollaidh and Cul Mor. Inverpolly National Nature Reserve, Assynt, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/inverpolly_winter_dawn_assynt_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/coigach_stac_pollaidh_assynt.jpg Inverpolly Winter Dawn Several nights of freezing temperatures had encased the world in ice. Standing with my back to a ridge line, unable to see the horizon, I hoped there would be a gap in the clouds to let the warm rays of sunrise pierce the scene. It did not happen, but I was pleased with the cool tones which increased the sense of extreme coldness. The mountains from left to right are Cul Beag, Stac Pollaidh and Cul Mor. Inverpolly National Nature Reserve, Assynt, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/coigach_earth_shadow_assynt_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/coigach_earthshadow_assynt.jpg Coigach, Moon and Earth Shadow Following a bitterly cold night, I trudged up the hillside to catch the pre dawn light. As the sun approached the horizon, the earth shadow became apparent, creating a contrast between the blue shadow and the warm colours of the impending sunrise. The setting moon was perfectly placed to provide a point of interest in the panoramic composition. My method of producing high resolution images like this is to take a number of individual images, each capturing a different segment of the scene, and then stitching them together. Inverpolly National Nature Reserve, Assynt, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/clach_leathad_sunrise_black_mount_perthshire-2_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/clach_leathad_sunrise.jpg Clach Leathad, Black Mount, Sunrise In Summer, it never gets truly dark in Scotland, so it was ridiculously early start to hike to this viewpoint. This is an unfortunate requirement if you want to get spectacular light in mountain photos. On this occasion, the light at sunrise helped to pick out the folds and texture of both the foreground rocks and the mountains. Rannoch Moor, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/buachaille_etive_mor_and_lairig_gartain_argyll_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/buachaille_etive_mor_sunset_.jpg Buachaille Etive Mor and Larig Gartain  Buachaille Etive Mor rises from Rannoch Moor to Guard the entrance to Glencoe. The main road to Glencoe respectfully skirts round the mountain leaving it in splendid isolation. This was a rushed shot to capture the sunset light while it still fell on the floor of the glen. Glen Coe, Highlands, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/black_mount_in_winter_perthshire_2_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/black_mount_mountain_snow.jpg The Black Mount in Winter  The Black Mount are a collection of Munros (Scottish mountains over 3,000 feet) which rise from the barren, flat landscape of Rannoch Moor. I wanted to give an impression of a impregnable wall of snowy mountains by excluding any foreground and sky. The monochromatic nature of the image gives a feeling of the coldness that was gnawing my fingers on this day. Rannoch Moor, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/urlar_burn_aberfeldy_perthshire_autumn_1_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/birks_of_aberfeldy_perthshire.jpg Urlar Burn in Autumn No.1 The stream is shown here just before it tumble over the Falls of Moness. The area is known as the Birks of Aberfeldy, after a poem by Scotland's national poet Robert Burns, who visited the falls in 1787 and was much impressed by what he saw.  Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/urlar_burn_aberfeldy_perthshire_autumn_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/birks_of_aberfeldy_autumn.jpg Urlar Burn in Autumn No.2 The Urlar Burn runs through a narrow wooded gorge over a succession of waterfalls ranging from impressive drops to minor cascades as shown here. There is a delightful walk up one side of the stream to the main falls, then down back the other side. It is particularly stunning in the Autumn when the trees are in full fall color. Birks of Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/integration_abstract_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/birch_trunk_blur_in_sunlight.jpg Integration  Bands of light were cast on these Birch trees by the rays of the setting sun. The harmonious tones couple with camera movement helped to unify the composition. My aim with abstract images is to always enhance the beauty of nature. Rannoch, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/autumn_passage_braan_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/birch_stream_perthshire.jpg Autumn Passage, River Braan Flowing air bubbles from a nearby waterfall contrast with the stillness of the golden leaves hanging from the verdant mossy green tree trunk. Every shot I took of the swirling patterns, resulted in a different composition. The Hermitage, Dunkeld, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/spring_velvet_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/birch_soft_focus_perthshire.jpg Spring Velvet Normally, the aim in landscape photography is to have at least some part of the image sharply in focus. However, in this photo of a Silver Birch wood, I wanted to portray the sense of softness the overcast light was imparting on the scene. The image would be almost monochromatic, if it were not for the newly emerging leaves, which provide a green accent without being overpowering. Rannoch, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/fields_of_gold_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/barley_field_tracks_and_trees.jpg Fields of Gold The first rays of the sun light up the ripening barley, giving it a luminous gold colour. Three trees on the horizon help to emphasize the sweeping motion created by the tractor ruts in the field. Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/autumn_dream_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/birch_trees_blur_perthshire.jpg Autumn Dream I created this abstract image by panning the camera during the exposure. I had to experiment to achieve the right degree of movement I was wanting. By combining holding the camera steady and panning in the same exposure I was able to create an impressionistic image with a foothold in reality. Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/beinn_achaladair_first_light_perthshire2_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/beinn_achaladair_strathclyde.jpg Beinn Achaladair at First Light  Beinn Achaladair is a Munro (Scottish mountains over 3,000 feet) standing at 3,405ft. The mountain has an impressive north west face which drops steeply down to the vast, barren expanse of bog and loch, that is Rannoch Moor. A lovely Spring morning shows off the texture in the rocks to perfection. Rannoch Moor, Perthshire , Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/woodland_hues_arbroath_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/beech_woodland_in_autumn.jpg Woodland Hues Sometimes, less is more. On this occasion, I focused on the Beech trunk, while keeping the background trees blurred, but recognisable. I wanted to concentrate on the harmonious, restricted color palette between foreground and background. The soft focus of the trees helps to create a suggestion of a much larger forest. Arbroath, Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/steely_dawn_auchmithie_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/beach_waves_auchmithie.jpg Steely Dawn The cold light of day breaks over the harbour wall at Auchmithie. The small waves and clouds suggest the decline of the tiny harbour which is now home to only a couple of lobster boats. No proud air of defiance to crashing waves here, rather a feeling on resignation to being reclaimed by Mother Nature. Auchmithie, Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/symphony_auchmithie_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/beach_dawn_auchmithie.jpg Symphony Auchmithie is a superb part of the Scottish coast. Reached by steep, narrow steps, it opens onto a broad pebble beach, surrounded by imposing sandstone cliffs. As the waves advanced and retreated, they tossed the pebbles like popcorn, sending them clattering against each other. The resulting crescendo with each wave, was amplified by the cliffs, creating a deafening roar. Auchmithie, Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/embrace_auchmithie_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/beach_abstract_auchmithie.jpg Embrace I enjoy creating impressionistic landscapes Which are more about seeing with the mind rather than the eyes. Here, I liked the feeling of an all encompassing embrace by the cliffs and cloud patterns. A warm hug on a cold day.  Auchmithie, Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/barley_field_sunset_angus2_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/barley_field_sunset_angus.jpg Barley Field Sunset   What looked liked being an unspectacular sunset was transformed, when a change in the wind direction brought these lenticular clouds into view over the trees, just after the sun had set. I stood transfixed as the colour palette changed from yellow and orange to mauve and blue as the sun dipped further beyond the horizon. Times like these remind you why you strive to capture landscape images. Fauldiehill, Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/barley_field_poppies_northumberland_1_england/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/barley_and_poppy_field.jpg Barley and Poppy Field No.1 An increasingly rare sight in this country of poppies in the landscape, stopped me in my tracks. The look conjures up images reminiscent of Italy on a hot Summer's day, sipping Chianti as the clouds lazily drift by. Northumberland, England https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/silver_birch_blur_tummel_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/bare_silver_birch_blur.jpg Silver Birch Blur  Silver Birch are ideal for this kind of image, the light trunks creating a good degree of separation from the background. Here, I combined panning with holding the camera steady during the exposure. Rannoch, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/bamburgh_castle_dawn_norhtumberland_england/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/bamburgh_coast_dawn.jpg Bamburgh Castle Dawn Northumberland is one of my favourite coastal regions. It has a fine mix of sandy and rocky beaches with a number of castles perched on the extremities of the land. Here, the first light of a cool dawn is just caressing the rocks and clouds. The shape of the incoming tide nicely mimics that of the clouds, as they point towards the picturesque castle. Bamburgh, Northumberland, England https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/evening_light_bamburgh_castle_northumberland_england/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/bamburgh_castle_and_beach.jpg Evening, Bamburgh Castle The gently receding tide revealed the expanse of Bamburgh's golden sands bathed in glorious evening light. For such a  beautiful prospect, the beach was, surprisingly, almost totally deserted. The castle sits like a glowing jewel on a green mantle, standing guard over the surrounding flat countryside. Their has been a fort of one form or another, on this basalt outcrop since c.547 AD. The Normans rebuilt the castle to form the substantial core of the present one. The castle has been the site of numerous raids and sieges over it's chequered life. Bamburgh, Northumberland, England https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/autumn_gold_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/backlit_autumn_trees.jpg Glowing For Gold  The early morning Autumn sun had just crested the ridge, to backlight the trees in a blaze of glowing gold. I had parked my car earlier, before dawn and walked to my "spot" for a stunning sunrise photo. Unfortunately the sunrise did not materialise, and to make matters worse, having left my sidelights on, I now had a flat battery. Being miles from the nearest habitation, I was forced to wait by my car for the breakdown service. Thankfully they didn't come too quickly, which allowed me to capture this image. Rannoch, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/repetition_bamburgh_beach_northumberland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/bamburgh_beach_clouds.jpg Repetition  Hopes of a spectacular sunrise over the Northumberland coast were thwarted by thick cloud. However as the sun rose and the sea receded, the clouds began to break up. I was drawn to the vast expanse of the deserted, drying beach which echoed the pattern of the mottled clouds. The Farne Islands give a point of interest on the horizon. These islands were the scene of a dramatic rescue in 1838 when Grace Darling and her lighthouse keeper father, rowed through stormy seas to rescue the survivors of the Forfarshire paddle steamer which had run aground on the treacherous rocks. The Islands are now a bird and wildlife sanctuary. Bamburgh Beach, Northumberland, England https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/time_to_reflect_pitlochry_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/autumn_trees_reflection.jpg Time to Reflect  Taken from a footbridge, timing played a critical part in this image. Everytime someone walked on the bridge, it gave a pleasing bounce, pleasing that is unless you are trying to take a photograph. This was compounded by needing to take six separate images and stitch them together to form the panoramic image. There is always the additional pressure with reflections, of not knowing when the calm will be disturbed by the wind. As it turned out, immediately after creating this image the wind got up and the rain started, emptying the bridge of people but destroying the reflection. Loch Faskally, Pitlochry, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/loch_faskally_reflections_pitlochry_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/autumn_trees_reflection_2.jpg Loch Faskally Reflections The area round Pitlochry is justly famous for its picturesque walks. The combination of woodland and water reaches a high point in Autumn when, with the right conditions, the colours seem to drip from the trees Pitlochry, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/autums_passing_leaves_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/autumn_trees_perthshire.jpg Autumn's Passing This panoramic photograph attempts to show the course of nature as Autumn progresses. It captures the last green leaves, stubbornly refusing to change, through to those that have embraced the colours and finally to the bare branches, ready to face the Winter ravages, before being born again.  Glen Lyon, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/layers_trees_autumn_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/autumn_trees_on_hillside.jpg Layers Strong Autumn winds had ripped the Silver Birch leaves from their branches. Although this excluded their bright colours from this image, it revealed the structure of the branches, thus providing a sense of depth. The surviving Birch and Larch provided golden colours to balance the bare tree branches. Dunkeld, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/wonder_wall_ravine_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/autumn_trees_aberfeldy.jpg Wonder Wall A narrow ravine provides the location for this panorama. Seen from the other side, the trees seemed to be clinging to the near vertical slopes. How such mature trees managed to obtain enough of a foothold and find sufficient nutrients on the rocky ledges, reminded me of how amazing nature is. Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/the_journey_sycamore_leaf_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/autumn_sycamore_leaf.jpg The Journey This Sycamore leaf had turned to orange and yellow hues as Autumn advanced. Soon all the leaves, which were once so bright and fresh in Spring, would change from their tired Summer greens to fiery tints, before falling and being re-absorbed by mother nature. In this graphic image of nature, I tried to mimic this journey by creating a sense of being drawn along a never ending corridor of colour. Dundee, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/perfect_sunrise_dunkeld_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/autumn_sunrise_dunkeld.jpg Perfection This was my third attempt to capture a stunning sunrise at this location. The other attempts were thwarted by the weather, but here, everything fell into place. The cool air of early Autumn had started to turn the leaves on the trees a kaleidoscope of colors from green, through yellow to orange. The groups of trees all seemed to be leading to the rising sun, as if to embrace the warmth of its rays on this chilly morning. Even the clouds co-operated by pointing to the source of their rich colours. The lighting only lasted for a fleeting moment before the sun rose above the clouds creating overwhelming flare and contrast. This is one of my favourite landscape images. Dunkeld, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/odd_one_out_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/autumn_smokebush_leaves_2.jpg Odd One Out The leaves on this variety of Cotinus Coggygria or Smoke Bush emerge in Springtime a vibrant lime green before turning to blazing orange in the Autumn. Dundee, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/against_the_flow_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/autumn_smokebush_leaves.jpg Against the Flow I like the idea of going against the flow, rather than with it. This lone green Cotinus Coggygria (Smoke Bush) leaf seems to be refusing to accept the onset of Autumn. We all fall into predictable patterns in our normal lives, as we try to fit in with all around us. Sometimes it's good to be an individual.  Dundee, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/golden_dancers_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/autumn_silver_birch_blur.jpg Golden Dancers The two Silver Birch trunks gave me the impression of wild dancers spinning, arms aloft, their gold costumes flowing with movement. Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/autumn_reflections_pitlochry_2_perthshre_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/autumn_reflection_perthshire.jpg Autumn Reflections  Autumn in Perthshire is a colour palette of golds and yellows. It also has a profusion of lochs and rivers which are lined by the Autumnal trees. Here the reflections are punctuated by the Silver Birch white trunks. Pitlochry, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/leaf_fractrure_abstract_3_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/autumn_leaf_abstract_3.jpg Fracture No.3 The orange and yellow colours of the Autumnal leaf contrast markedly with the black void, which touches the main vein of the leaf. Dundee, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/leaf_fractrure_abstract_2_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/autumn_leaf_abstract_2.jpg Fracture No.2 I often enjoy creating abstract close up images leaf vein patterns, particularly in the autumn. It reveals another world of structure which is usually unseen. I was keen on this occasion to disrupt the cellular order, with fractures which act like miniature lightning bolts, shattering the peace. Dundee, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/autumn_tints_glen_lyon_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/autumn_hills_glen_lyon.jpg Autumn Tints At 34 miles in length, Glen Lyon is the longest enclosed glen in Scotland. It transforms from a narrow ravine to a wider U-shaped valley surrounded by beautiful hills to a large loch at its western end. The hillsides are covered with a mixture of mainly Silver Birch and Scots Pine. In Autumn the trees become alive with vibrant colours, ranging from yellow and orange to red. At this viewpoint the River Lyon meanders lazily before cashing through the steep sided ravine.  Glen Lyon, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/awakening_glen_lyon_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/autumn_dawn_glen_lyon.jpg Awakening The overnight mist had cleared and paved the way for a gentle awakening to the day. The remnants of the cool moisture, which hung in the air, could be felt with every breath.  As dawn approached, absolute calmness enveloped the scene, with the only sound being that of roaring stags on the hillside as they prepared themselves of another day of rutting. The Autumnal trees, sensing this calmness, didn't seem to be in any hurry to lead the eye towards the distant mountains. Glen Lyon, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/pebble_pattern_mirror_3_auchmithie_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/auchmithie_pebbles_pattern3.jpg Complete  I am always amazed by the variety of colours in the pebbles on this beach. They have been pounded by the North Sea to impressive regularity of shape. The red sandstone outcrops provided a harmonious platform on which to create a pattern. By using mirror image techniques, I have striven to create a sense of order from the chaotic randomness found on the beach. Auchmithie, Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/winter_birch_blur_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/winter_birch_blur_perthshire.jpg Winter Birch Blur  Soft Winter light highlighted the Silver Birch tree trunks, making them  glow a ghostly white against the dark background. In this image, I used a series of stepped movements in order to keep detail in the image without too much blur. Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/resisitance_2_aberfeldy_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/waterfall_spray_detail_aberfeldy_perthshire.jpg Resistance 2   Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/cascade_aberfeldy_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/waterfal_detail_aberfeldy_perthshire.jpg Cascade  This waterfall tumbles over a small drop, cascading over a number of rocky outcrops. This, along with a long exposure, results in the veils seen here. The exact effect of the exposure time was hard to predict so a number of speeds were used. Another challenge when photographing waterfalls is spray droplets gathering on the lens, which needed regular wiping between shots. Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/tulip_swirl_dundee_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/tulip_flowers_swirl_dundee.jpg Tulip Swirl  Creative images can be found all around. Here, the camera movement turned a small patch of red tulips into a swirl of  impressionistic flowers. I rotated the camera off centre, to create a feeling of being sucked into a vortex. Dundee, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/felled_tree_trunk_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/tree_trunk_section_perthshire.jpg Spanish Dancer  The central feature of this felled tree cross section reminded me of a Flamenco dancer, swaying to the music with arms held aloft. Glen Lyon, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/tree_trunk_cross_section_glen_lyon_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/tree_trunk_cross_section_perthshire.jpg Tree Trunk Cross Section  I had seen no particular imaginative figure in the tree trunk, I just liked the abstract mix of patterns, textures and colours. Glen Lyon, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/tree_trunk_blur_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/tree_trunk_blur_angus.jpg Tree Trunk Blur  This copse of trees was in open shade, but under clear blue sky. This gave the effect of increasing the blue in the image giving it a cool feel.  Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/tree_shadows_snow_glen_esk_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/tree_shadows_on_snow_perthshire.jpg Tree Shadows on Snow  A covering of snow and clear blue sky had me reaching for my camera. Not to shoot a winter vista, as you might expect, but this more intimate scene. I was attracted by the interplay of the shadows of the busy branches on the rolling blanket of smooth snow. Originally I had intended to include the bases of these tree trunks, but on reflection felt that this detracted from the power of the isolated juvenille tree breaking through the snowy mantle. Glen Esk, Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/ploughing_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/tractor_ploughing_and_tree_angus.jpg Ploughing Before the Storm  A leaden sky signaled a change in the wether for this farmer in his tractor as he hurried to complete his ploughing. Monifieth, Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/windswept_barley_sunset_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/tracks_thru_barley_field_at_sunset_angus.jpg Windswept Barley Sunset  A glimpse of light at sunset helped lift the dark clouds above this windswept barley field. Letham, Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/west_lomond_harvest_fife_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/straw_bales_and_lomond_hill_fife.jpg West Lomond Harvest  Being the highest hill in Fife, West Lomond's volcanic dolerite cone can be seen from miles around. Together with it's sister peak of East Lomond, they form a distinctive backdrop to many Fife landscapes. The surrounding area is very fertile, with much of the land turned over to agricultural use. The trick with images of straw bales in a field, is to simplify the composition by positioning the camera to get the greatest number of bales separated from each other. Here, the restricted colour palette helps create distinct regions of interest aided by the cloud pattern which echoes that of the bales. Kinross, Fife, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/straw_bale_and_cloud_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/straw_bale_and_cloud_angus.jpg Straw Bale and Cloud  An Indian Summer had created perfect harvest conditions. The crops had been safely gathered in and the hay bales were being cleared from the fields in the agricultural housekeeping. Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/stac_pollaidh_spotlight_inverpolly_assynt_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/stac_pollaidh_assynt_in_winter_with_cloud.jpg Stac Pollaidh Spotlight  The attractive early morning light had long since been obliterated by a thick bank of low cloud rolling in from the west. I switched my mindset from mountain vistas to looking for detail images, which look best in soft light. As I was scouring the land beneath my feet, I noticed that a small gap had opened in the clouds allowing the snow covered distant peak to be illuminated briefly. Quickly, I managed to fire off a couple of shots before the gap closed and I resumed my search of the world in miniature.  Inverpolly National Nature Reserve, Assynt, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/rolling_barley_field_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/spring_crop_in_rolling_field.jpg Ripening Barley Field  Late evening sunshine raked across the landscape, revealing every subtle fold in the field.  Monifieth, Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/spey_valley_dawn_grampian_highlands_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/spey_valley_sunrise_highland.jpg Tangerine Dream I was surprised at the colours I witnessed in this pre dawn Autumn sky. All around me the air itself seemed to filled with the concentrated, sticky, sweet, colour. The effect was short lived and the sunrise itself was something of a disappointment. Dulnain, Cairngorms, Highland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/assynt_mountains_winter_inverpolly_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/snow_covered_coigach_assynt.jpg Assynt Mountains in Winter  Assynt is a largely treeless landscape which some people might regard as being bleak and forbidding. I prefer to think of it as a landscape whose covering has been stripped back to reveal its raw structure, where every hummock or rock takes on increased significance. It is this stark texture which creates its own beauty. The light covering of snow allows the panorama to breathe, giving an entirely different feel than if it had been blanketed by thick snow. Inverpolly, National Nature Reserve, Assynt, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/birch_bracken_blur_perthshire_2_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/silver_birch_trunks_blur.jpg Birch and Bracken Blur No.2  I liked the delicate intermingling of the branches in this abstract picture. The side lighting from a weak sun and the darker, complimentary background colours helped give a 3D feel to the image. Rannoch, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/birch_bracken_blur_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/silver_birch_trunk_blur_rannoch.jpg Birch and Bracken Blur  These trees, standing in open shade, took on a blue cast from the clear sky above. I liked the muted colours in this image Rannoch, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/birch_blur_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/silver_birch_trunk_blur_perthshire.jpg Birch Trunk Blur  Lichen growth had turned most of the glowing trunks of these Silver Birch trees to a muted grey. Fortunately, the one that remained lightest, also had a wonderful contorted shape, making it stand out even more from the muted autumnal hues of the background vegetation.. Rannoch, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/silver_birch_reflections_pitlochry_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/silver_birch_reflections_autumn_perthshire.jpg Silver Birch Reflections  A perfectly calm day helped create these mirror like reflections on this loch. The white bark of the Silver Birch stand out against the background of golden Autumn colours, whereas other types of trees, with darker bark, would tend to blend in. Pitlochry, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/wood_face_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/silver_birch_face_angus.jpg Wood Face  Photography should be fun and I enjoyed creating this abstract face from the bark of a Silver Birch. I guess if he had a job he would be in banking, probably being a Branch Manager. Ouch! Monifieth, Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/rock_on_frozen_loch_assynt_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/rock_in_frozen_loch_highland.jpg Rock in Frozen Loch  A rock, isolated in a frozen loch, created an interesting counterpoint to the zig zag pattern of the ice. Assynt, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/rannoch_moor_dawn_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/rannoch_moor_at_sunrise_pano_highland.jpg Rannoch Moor Dawn  Rannoch Moor is an area of boggy moorland covering an area of about 50 square miles. It is punctuated with numerous lochs, which combined with the peat soil make traversing the area difficult and wet. An early start is required to capture the dawn colours in Summer as the sun rises at 3.30am. Rannoch, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/quarry_birnam_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/quarry_stones_and_trees_in_autumn_perthshire.jpg Quarry  When creating this image, in the middle of an abandoned slate quarry, I was struck by the contrast in colours between the slate and the trees. The slate, being in shadow, reflected the blue of the sky whilst the trees were glowing brilliant yellow. Birnam, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/poppy_impression_northumberland_2_england/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/poppy_swirl_northumberland.jpg Poppy Impression 2  A freshening breeze made it impossible to photograph a regular portrait image of these Poppies. Instead, I chose to create an abstract effect by handholding the camera and panning it during the exposure. The trick was to get the right amount and direction of blur to keep the flowers recognisable. Northumbria, England https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/poppy_field_kilconquhar_fife_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/poppy_field_sunrise_kilconquhar_fife.jpg Poppy Field Sunrise  Poppies look their best when backlit, which gives their petals a luminous glow. This can however create problems with high contrast and flare from the sun. By partially hiding the sun behind the background trees I managed to keep these problems to a minimum. Normally I put great effort into keeping the horizon level, but here a decided a slight tilt enhanced the composition. Kilconquhar, Fife, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/poppy_field_northumberland_england/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/poppy_field_northumberland.jpg Poppy Field  Fields of bright red Poppies are becoming an increasingly rare sight in this country mainly due to the pressure of production volumes on the agricultural industry. In this case, the rolling field was in a conservation area and the wild flowers were confined to the field margins, allowing the best of both worlds. Northumberland, England https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/pine_trunk_blur_pano_cairngorms_2_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/pine_trunk_blur_cairngorms.jpg Pine Trunk Blur 1  These pine trees were a glorious warm shade of brown. There was enough variation in colour to give a degree of separation between the tree trunks without the need for any sharp detail in the blur. Kincraig, Cairngorms National Park, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/tidal_rush_auchmithie_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/pebbles_with_incoming_tide_auchmithie_angus.jpg Tidal Rush  When photographing the scenic views of the coast, it is important not to forget what is literally at our feet. In this image, I captured the backwash flowing over the colourful pebbles. The trick here was to get  the water blurred, but still retain some bite.  Auchmithie, Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/high_tide_auchmithie_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/pebble_beach_incoming_tide_auchmithie_angus.jpg High Tide  I have always liked the way incoming waves in this bay, no matter their height, cause the rounded pebbles to rollover each other, creating a clattering sound which echoes round the amphitheater of cliffs. In this image, a visual echo can be seen, that of the waves and cloud formations. By finely tuning the length of exposure, the waves have taken on a similar pattern to the waves. Auchmithie, Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/fossilised_tracks_birnam_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/moss_covered_felled_trees_perthshire.jpg Fossil Tracks  Judging by the moss cover, these trees had been felled for a long time. Extending the notion of time in my mind caused me to imagine them as fossilised footprints, left behind as a dinosaur crashed through the carboniferous forest creating this clearing. Birnam Wood, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/mixed_woodland_autumn_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/mixed_woodland_on_hillside_autumn_perthshire.jpg Mixed Woodland on Hillside in Autumn  As it passes through Perthshire on its way to the Highlands, the main A9 road passes through steep sided glens which are cloaked in mixed woodland. The range of Autumn colours and textures of the different trees were particularly striking this day. Dunkeld, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/drifting_cloud_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/lone_cloud_in_blue_sky.jpg Drifting  Contrary to popular belief, long Summer days are the least inspiring for creative photography. Outside the early and late "golden hours", the harsh, high angled lighting and mega contrast totally overwhelm most types of image. However, these weather conditions can lead to piercing blue skies, which created a perfect backdrop for this lone cloud as it drifted lazily across the sky. By placing the cloud in the lower part of the composition, I hoped to suggest the expanse of wide open, empty sky. Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/tree_line_sunrise_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/line_of_trees_at_sunrise_angus.jpg Tree Line at Sunrise  Early Spring and the sun peaks over the brow of the hill. silhouetting the bare branches of the trees. The amount of moisture that had formed in the air overnight, made the sky glow a warm shade of orange. Monifieth, Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/ice_pools_cairngorms_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/light_on_frozen_lake_cairngorms.jpg Ice Pools  I had been wandering along the shore of this frozen loch looking for inspiration, when the appearance of weak Winter sun highlighted the differing textural patterns of the ice sheet. Although there was only one rock showing through the ice, there were a number of others hidden just under the surface. The flowing water below the ice produced just enough ripples to keep small pools of water ice free. The angular shapes of the ice contrasted markedly with the sinuous ripples of the water and the overflow's glassy mirrored surfaces. Kincraig, Cairngorms National Park, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/lichen_covered_wall_balmullo_fife_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/lichen_covered_stone_wall_fife.jpg Lichen Covered Stone Wall  In this close up photo of a field boundary wall I liked the gritty textures of the lichens and stones. Balmullo, Fife, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/leaf_on_rock_slab_2_dunkeld_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/leaf_on_rock_perthshire.jpg Leaf on Rock Slab #2  I chose a different leaf to the "Leaf on Rock Slab No1" for this image . Although still restricting the palette to brown tones, there is a more marked contrast here between leaf and rock. Dunkeld, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/leaf_rock_slab_1_dunkeld_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/leaf_on_rock_dunkeld.jpg Leaf on Rock Slab #1  While wandering round a quarry, I came across this split rock face. I loved the harmonious brown tones the rock and leaf shared.  Dunkeld, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/log_stack_sunburst_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/felled_log_stack_angus.jpg Fate  The foreground logs and the trees in the background provide a metaphorical contrast about natures life cycle. It is as if the trees are coming to the aid of their felled comrades. Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/evening_light_glen_lyon_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/evening_light_on_glen_lyon_autumn_perthshire.jpg Evening Light on Autumnal Hillside  Light from the setting sun behind a nearby hill was just touching the tops of the trees in the glen when I made this image. Passing clouds shielded the far side from the sun, creating alternating bands of light and dark areas in the image. Glen Lyon, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/pylon_power_lines_fife_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/electrical_pylon_on_hillside.jpg Green Energy  Gorgeous low light helped create an image from what minutes before had been less three dimensional. The angle of the sun emphasised the texture and subtle folds in the rolling field. This tactile quality is in contrast to the functional harshness of the power line pylon. Fife, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/harvest_straw_lines_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/cut_straw_line_pattern_angus.jpg Harvest Straw Lines  I was attracted by the contrast in texture of the sinuous lines of straw and the spiky nature of their shadows in this field. The gently undulating hillside created interest in the lines, while the low angled lighting brought out the depth in this image. Monifieth, Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/cul_mor_winter_assynt_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/cul_mor_assynt_winter.jpg Cul Mor in Winter  Inverpolly is a largely uninhabited area of raised bog punctuated by a myriad of lochans. Rising steeply from the relatively flat terrain are a series of sheer faced, majestic mountains. Although not the highest mountains in the world, their character and prominence in the landscape elevate them to some of the most attractive. Here snow clad Cul Mor 849m, towers above Loch an Doire Dhuibh. Inverpolly National Nature Reserve, Assynt, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/black_rock_cottage_glencoe_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/cottage_and_buachaille_etive_mor_glencoe_scotland.jpg Black Rock Cottage, Spring  Warm, Spring sunshine had created a distant haze on the slopes of Buachaille Etive Mor, forming a backdrop for the cottage. Shooting into the light, apart from at sunset,  can be problematical due to high levels of contrast and flare. Glencoe, Argyll, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/cotoneaster_blur_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/cotoneaster_berry_blur_dundee.jpg Cotoneaster Berry Blur  This Cotoneaster was growing in our garden, weighed down with an abundance of Autumn berries. By moving the camera in a circular motion, I achieved an abstract effect which reminded me of colourful decorations on a Christmas tree. Monifieth, Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/cotinus_coggyria_close_up_2_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/cotinus_coggygria_leaves_autumn.jpg Against the Flow No.2  This type of Cotinus coggygria produces colorful leaves which change from lime green to yellows, oranges and reds as the fall season progresses. Monifieth, Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/copse_trees_sunset_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/copse_of_trees_at_sunset_angus.jpg Copse of Trees at Sunset  A wonderful display of cloud shapes and colours glowed against silhouetted trees on the horizon, in this sunset image. A freshening, cold wind had cleared the raft of clouds that had, shortly before, been obscuring the sun. Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/cloud_abstract_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/cloud-in_blue_sky_mirror.jpg Cloud Abstract  I must have watched too many Peter Gabriel music videos in my youth, as I can't get the image of a dancing chicken out of my head when I see this cloud formation. Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/bracken_birch_blur_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/bracken_and_trees_blur_perthshire.jpg Bracken and Birch Blur  Ghostly Silver Birch trunks dance against the Autumnal tapestry of bracken leaves in this abstract image. Tummel, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/boulders_on_beach_embleton_northumberland_england/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/boulders_on_beach_at_sunset_embleton_bay_northumberland.jpg Sunset Blues Beach Twilight landscape photographs can take on colours that are not readily visible to the naked eye. On this deserted beach, captured at dusk, although the orange afterglow remains in the sky, the foreground exudes a much cooler tone, being lit by the indirect light of the approaching night sky. Embleton Bay, Northumberland, England https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/bluebell_woodland_spring_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/bluebell_wood_pano_perthshire.jpg Bluebell Wood in Spring  Photographing in a wood with sunlight can be very problematic due to the high contrast range between light and dark areas of the image. Here, I was fortunate that a thin layer of cloud veiled the harshest excesses of the sunlight. This resulted in a pleasing dappled light effect while retaining shadow detail.  Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/bluebell_woodland_blur_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/bluebell_wood_blur_perthshire.jpg Bluebell Woodland Blur  When moving the camera during a long exposure to create an abstract blur like this, the colors in the image merge and the contrast softens, creating a dream like effect almost akin to a tapestry. It was a balancing act to tease the best arrangement of colour waves and tree trunk spacing from the scene. Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/bluebell_wood_tracks_blur_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/bluebell_wood_abstract_blur_perthshire.jpg Bluebell Track Abstract  This track wove its way through a carpet of Bluebells in this delightful woodland in Spring . By deliberately restricting the trees to the upper portion of the image, I wanted to convey a sense of openness in the forest and an invitation to follow the track. Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/tree_blurlittle_large_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/birch_trunks_blur_rannoch_perthshire.jpg Little and Large  I wanted to show the contrasts in size and colour between these two trees, but the surrounding vegetation was too busy. By creating a blur, the background elements in the image became an abstract wash, while the trees retained a recognisable form. Rannoch, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/beech_leaves_mirror_pano_arbroath_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/beech_leaves_pano_tayside.jpg Beech Leaves Mirror  When using mirror techniques to create impressionistic landscapes, I strive to suggest a new way of seeing the natural world. Here, I intentionally de-focussed the lens so that no part of the image was sharp. This is the complete opposite of normal landscape photography practice. I was wanting to concentrate on the tonal contrast between the golden leaves and the green background. Arbroath, Angus, Scotland, UK https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/barley_field_sunset_fife_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/barley_field_sunset_fife.jpg Sunset Over Field of Barley  Fife has a mile upon miles of attractive open farm scenery. I was drawn to this sunset image by the parallel lines that run through it. The most obvious linear cloud patterns were repeated in the horizon and in the crop lines. I positioned the sun to set amongst the trees on the horizon The shape of the trees was similar to the clouds and this created a link between earth and sky. FIfe, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/tracks_thru_barley_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/barley_field_tracks_angus.jpg Tracks Through Barley Field  As the light from the setting sun warmed the ripening barley with a golden glow, I carefully set up my camera to capture this image. I was wanting a panoramic, graphic image, excluding all sky and non barley elements. The essential piece of composition was in the distance, where the land gently rose on a slope. This provided a finishing point to the strong lead in lines of tractor ruts. Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/barley_field_at_sunset_fife_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/barley_field_at_sunset_fife.jpg Barley Field at Sunset  Moments after the sun had set on this farm landscape, I captured this "Big Sky" image. The delicate colours and shapes of the clouds reinforced the feeling of peacefulness I felt in the scene. The foreground barley took on an attractive warm glow from the reflected sunset light on the clouds. Fife, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/tree_impression_rannoch_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/autumnal_tree_blur_rannoch.jpg Tree Impression  This abstract tree image was created not by smoothly panning the camera, but by moving in a series of steps. This retains more of a sense of reality in the image. Rannoch, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/autumn_leaf_fracture_3_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/autumnal_leaf_fracture.jpg Forces of Nature  The peaceful autumnal progression of colour is ripped apart by a sinister lightning bolt. In reality of course, it is a backlit leaf over a black velvet. Monifieth, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/sycamore_leaves_close_up_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/autumn_sycamore_leaves.jpg Autumnal Sycamore Leaves  I like to keep my nature images simple, as can be seen here. A straight forward composition, with just three leaves arranged in an offset manner and let the beauty of nature speak for itself. Monifieth, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/autumn_leaves_collection_pano_2_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/autumn_leaves_panorama.jpg Autumn Leaves Panorama No. 2  Autumn leaves always create fantastic colour images. The dark background helps isolate the leaves and lets the amazing colors really stand out. These Sycamore leaves were collected from my garden at the height of the fall season to maximise the intensity of the colours. Monifieth, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/autumn_leaves_collection_pano_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/autumn_leaves_pano.jpg Autumn Leaves Panorama No. 1  This simple image shows the gamut of colours which are displayed in Autumn. It also reveals the fact that the colour  transitions from greens and yellows through to oranges, happens not uniformly across the leaf surface, but by advancing in waves from seemingly random locations Monifieth, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/autumn_leaves_collection_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/autumn_leaves_collection.jpg Autumn Leaves Collection  A collection of leaves gathered from our garden showing the diversity in shape and Autumnal colours. When seen in situ on branches, the structure and shape of the leaves can be eclipsed by the mass riot of color. Backlighting the leaves helps to reveal their internal structures. Monifieth, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/autumn_leaf_vein_pattern_2_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/autumn_leaf_veins_pattern.jpg Autumnal Leaf Vein Pattern No. 2  We often become so absorbed in the grand landscapes around u that we often overlook the macro world. When looked at closely they reveal natures secret landscapes, equally as fascinating as their large scale counterparts. The leaf patterns echo the branch structure of the trees that bore them, while the blazing orange suggests a fiery sunset. Monifieth, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/autumn_leaf_vein_pattern_1_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/autumn_leaf_veins.jpg Autumn Leaf Vein Pattern No.1  I was attracted to the abstract patterns in this macro photograph by the way it reminded me of a city street layout at night, as seen from above, being light by the orange glow of street lamps and the brake lights of commuters heading home. The main roads carve a swathe through the metropolis, while the minor roads feed off them, eventually reaching quiet cull-de-sacs. Monifieth, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/autumn_leaf_fracture_1_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/autumn_leaf_fracture_abstract.jpg Autumn Leaf Fracture Abstract  Seeking shelter from the lashing rain and gales that battered on the windows, I set up some backlit shots of autumnal leaves. After taking a number of Straight shots, I started to make tears in the leaf surface. These fractures, in my mind, created a sense of tension and unease. The ordered pattern of the leaf structure is punctuated by the lightning strike while the rich colours are split by the black hole. Sometimes it is good to try new approaches to familiar subjects and on this occasion it was a more attractive prospect than battling the elements outside. Monifieth, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/caledonian_pines_on_hillside_glen_lyon_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/autumn_hillside_glen_lyon_perthshire.jpg Caledonian Pines on Hillside in Autumn  In the upper reaches of Glen Lyon are stands of Caledonian pines, remnants of the great forests that once covered the land. On this beautiful Autumn morning the conditions conspired to reveal a classic Scottish landscape with glowing grasses, trees, mountains and broken clouds. Glen Lyon, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/silver_birch_impression_rannoch_perthshire_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/autumn_birch_trunk_blur.jpg Silver Birch Impression  I deliberately adjusted the exposure in this image to create a light airy feel despite the gathering gloom as more rain approached. By including the foreground bracken, I was able to convey more of an impression of the area surrounding the tree thereby giving it a sense of place. The autumnal yellows, gold and greens of the individual elements help bring harmony to the image. Rannoch, Perthshire, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/pebble_pattern_auchmithie_2_angus_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/auchmithie_pebbles_pattern.jpg Pebbles and Rock Formation Abstract  The beach at Auchmithie contains a broad expanse of colourful pebbles combined with outcrops of rock that are visible at low tide. I like how the natural and abstract patterns blend into each other in this image. Auchmithie, Angus, Scotland https://www.grahamchalmers.com/photo/suilven_canisp_cul_mor_winter_assynt_scotland/ https://www.grahamchalmers.com/images/xl/assynt_mountains_in_winter.jpg Suilven, Canisp and Cul Mor Winter  The heart of the Inverpolly Nature Reserve was laid bare on this glorious winter's day. The bright sunshine and blue sky masked the fact that it was bitterly cold and with the freezing air clawing at my lungs, I found this scene literally breathtaking. The low angled light glancing the landscape helps to convey the precipitous nature of the mountains, which, due to their isolation and character create a splendid panorama. Snow blanketing a landscape strips away the distractions of colour, creating a reduced palette which concentrates the attention on the remaining textures. 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