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Top 10 images of 2021
With 2021 drawing to a close, I’ve been doing some reflecting on my photography journey over the last year. Although I’ve been taking photos during climbing trips and days out in the hills with friends for many years, I only took up landscape and mountain photography as hobby in itself around early 2020.
My timing couldn’t have been much worse as most of 2020 was spent in ‘lockdown’. During that time I stepped away from all social media and the ‘noise’ it creates, with a view to focusing on what I consider to be better uses of my time and ‘head-space’. One of the welcome by-products of that approach was progression in photography.
I managed to brush up on the basics of processing and, of course, create this website. I poured over books by photographers I have come to admire, notably, ‘North West’ by Alex Nail and ‘Scotland’s Mountains’ by Joe Cornish. My book collection is expanding (rapidly), but as an aspirant/ amateur ‘mountain photographer’ living in Scotland, those two titles have certainly poured fuel on the fire.
Wind the clock forward another year and the motivation for exploration and adventure that photography (and other outdoor hobbies) provides has been evident: 2 trips to Lewis & Harris; 3 trips to the North West (including my first venture into Fisherfield); 4-5 trips to Arran; a trip to Glen Affric; and countless trips to the hills of the Southern Highlands, Glencoe and the Mamores. On top of that I’ve witnessed more sunrises and sunsets in the last year than I can count and camped on more than a few summits (at least 8, probably more).
When I look back at that time it has reinforced to me that it really isn’t about the pictures and, whatever it is that gets you up in the morning (whether photography, climbing or even just walking the dog), it’s all just a means to an end. It’s the experiences and the memories that stay with you and the culmination of those which hopefully make a life well lived. That said, as this is my photography website, it is a little about the pictures. So here is my top 10 favourite images of 2021 (in no particular order)…
Torridonian Sandstone on Cul Mor, Assynt
This was taken on my first time up Cul Mor in Assynt in May 2021. The geology of the summit is as incredible as the view. We camped on the summit that night and were fortunate to arrive in time for a passing cloud to coat the hillside in a fresh blanket of snow. I scrambled to position my camera for this shot as the setting sun lit the remnants of a low passing cloud, revealing Suilven, Canisp and Quinag beyond.
The Cuillin from Sgurr na Stri, Isle of Skye
Whilst this is far from an original composition, the first time I saw the view from Sgurr na Stri (posted by Kevin Woods on UKClimbing.com) I knew I had to see it for myself. We walked up at a leisurely pace on one of the hottest days of the Summer, stopping for a swim at the fresh water pools en route from Camasunary Bay. This picture was taken the following morning. I decided to include the tent in this shot as an attempt to balance the colour in the image and also as I view this shot more of a keepsake than a portfolio shot.
Slioch from Loch Maree, Torridon
Another classic subject but (hopefully) an original composition. Being a relative newcomer to photography, I haven’t had as much exposure to the classic views as others may have so Loch Maree was fairly novel to me when we visited in the Spring of 2021 - I knew it only from talk of ‘super crag’ on the far shore. That said, I walked past the ‘classic shot’ (of the lone tree above the bay) without knowing it and ended up settling for sunset at this location. It wasn’t hard to get to so it must have been photographed before but it felt new to me and I haven’t seen another shot from this spot since. A couple of days before I took another ‘new’ composition a bit more off the beaten track, but the conditions on this evening made this one stand out to me.
Cir Mhor & Casteal Abhail from Goatfell, Isle of Arran
The Isle of Arran was a bit of a home away from home in 2021. In total, I think we visited 4 or 5 times and managed to cover a lot of ground including Goatfell (twice), Casteal Abhail (twice), Cir Mhor, Beinn Tarsuinn and a wander up and down Glen Rosa and Glen Sannox. We camped 3 nights on various summits and even managed to launch my camera into the abyss from the summit of Casteal Abhail - as it happens, I haven’t witnessed a sunset like it on Arran since (sod’s law)! I like this shot but I know there is a lot more for me to do on Arran and I plan to return (hopefully with better luck and weather) in 2022.
Autumn & Winter, Mamores
On to the Mamores, sandwiched between Ben Nevis and Glencoe this range has been another favourite in 2021 which I plan to explore further in 2022 and beyond. This shot presented itself when the light caught both the foreground lochan and background peak (a subsidiary summit of the Aonachs I believe) at the same time. I quickly composed this image with my long lens and got off a few frames before the moment passed. I enjoy this shot for the contrasting warm/ cool tones and depth conveyed by the layers of light and shade.
Fisherfield Forest from Beinn Airigh Charr
A view I’ve heard described as the most underrated in Scotland, it certainly makes for a worthwhile finale to a long (although) not hard walk. Kirsty, Harris and I made the long walk in from Poolewe the day before and camped near the summit of Beinn Airigh Charr. We couldn’t have had better weather for the walk although the sunset the evening before was muted. The following sunrise was a different matter altogether. The sun lit up high cloud above Fionn Loch and the Fisherfield Forest which reflected back on the water to create this spectacular scene. Whilst I have never been completely happy with my pictures from that trip, this stands out me for the sky, the colour and the light. When faced with a view this grand, it takes pretty special conditions to relegate the mountains of Fisherfield to second place in the order of grandeur.
Cir Mhor from Glen Rosa, Isle of Arran
Another unashamed classic view. Patience is a virtue I am working on but it doesn’t always come naturally. I generally like to be moving and feel like I’ve earned a view before I can stop and appreciate it. For that reason, I generally prefer to photograph the hills from neighbouring summits. However, on this occasion we only had time for a quick trip up Glen Rosa - a warm swimming pool and sauna called. I hadn’t really expected to come away with anything but packed my camera and one lens. When I saw the light improving, I got into position via some boulder hopping and framed up the scene with the river providing my ‘leading line’. This is actually 2 frames (as my lens wasn’t wide enough) stacked on top of one another and focus stacked.
Winter Dawn, Binnean Beag & the Grey Corries
”Sheltering from the bitterly cold wind below the plateau of Sgor Eilde Beag, I happened upon this line as the first light of the morning broke through.” My original caption sums up this shot. I was running late for my planned destination, perhaps due to being a little too comfortable in the van with a chunky new winter sleeping bag, but also the fresh snow was soft and thigh deep for the last hour of approach. I soon realised it was far too windy to continue further. As chance happened, I sat down to change layers a few feet from this near perfect foreground, framing my intended subjects. I waited. Wind and snow battered my face (and lens). I wiped moisture off my lens near constantly and swept chunks of ice from my frozen beard, waiting for the light. When it came, it was subtle and fleeting. This is one of my favourite shots of 2021, both for its own sake and the perseverance required to make it.
Coigach & Assynt from Sgùrr an Fhidhleir
Finally, onto the shots where it all came together. This shot took a some planning, effort, patience and perseverance. Firstly, the weather wasn’t playing ball. It was wet windy and cold. The summit camp allowance had been reached for the week and the route over nearby Ben Mór Coigach had been ‘character building’ in the conditions. We plodded on and managed to time our approach to the summit of Sgùrr an Fhidhleir to coincide with the ‘Golden Hour’. However, the weather was changing rapidly and a large band of cloud blocked the sun just as the light was getting interesting. I took the time to scout out my composition. I had seen the classic shot in Joe Cornish’s “Scotland’s Mountains’ and knew I wanted something of my own. My plan was to get as close to the edge of the ‘Fiddler’s Nose’ as I dared (safely) and point my lens (at 14mm) down in an attempt to convey the scale of the scene and precipice below - nothing fancy, I wanted the view to be the star of the show. We waited and waited and considered packing up. But the clouds were moving and I could see a gap forming just above the horizon. We waited some more and it happened. The setting sun burst through the gap and light cascaded over the landscape. I have rarely managed to do justice to a scene on this scale, but I think this shot may just make the cut.
The Grey Corries & Binnean Beag from Binnean Mor
The final shot and my overall favourite of 2021. What can I say? The light that evening was spectacular. The view was stunning. The atmosphere was otherworldly. Moments before a double rainbow formed (but the light wasn’t right and I needed it to catch Binnean Beag to balance the shot) - it’s fleeting remnants can just be made out right of frame. I chatted to another photographer and walker on the summit earlier in the evening - they must have thought I was mad dragging up a tripod, full set of camera gear, tent and food/ water for 2 (just me and Harris, my young but accomplished summit camping Golden Retriever). The forecast had been for rain but I took a punt on the lone sun/cloud icon just in time for sunset, forecast by BBC Weather. It paid off. I set up the tent in the last light, on a slight slope, a bit wet and crammed in with Harris taking the flattest spot. None of that mattered as I knew I’d witnessed something that evening worth seeing and may never again.
The Natural Landscape Photography Awards 2021
Just over 6 months have passed since my first entry into a photography competition where I managed to earn a commendation for one of my images in the ‘Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year’ competition (see below).
Over the summer I heard about a new competition called ‘The Natural Landscape Photography Awards’ which would be running for the first time in 2021. The competition differentiates itself by requiring entrants to adhere to a strict set of rules which, in short, prohibit the alteration of images to the point that they do not accurately represent the reality of the scene or subject. In essence, the competition is designed to celebrate and provide a platform for ‘eye witness’ photography.
I entered a total of 6 images into the competition without any expectation. The lack of expectation was well founded as the winning images in the end were humbling to say the least. Nevertheless, I am proud of what I managed to achieve with 2 of my images reaching the final 10% out of a total of nearly 10,000 photographs (submitted by over 1,300 photographers) and my portfolio of 6 images reaching the final 23% out of over 1000 portfolios.
I am now looking forward to seeing the book which the competition founders aim to produce in the near future and, of course, entering again next year with a new set of images.
18 November 2021
The Gift of Photography
There are many things that make photography worthwhile. However, it doesn’t get much better than the satisfaction of seeing your own photographs printed, framed and proudly hanging on a wall.
Thank you to Heather, Andrew and Oran for sharing this photo of one my prints (‘After Rain’) , which they kindly gifted to Andrew’s father, marking the end of (hopefully) the last lockdown.
18 July 2021
SLPOTY Competition Success 2021
I am very grateful to have learned that my image, “Winter’s Touch on Autumn Falls”, has received a commendation in the Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year 2021 competition. This is the first photography competition I have entered of any kind so it was a great surprise to receive the news.
Winter’s Touch on Autumn Falls - Commended in Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year 2021
One of the main benefits is an opportunity to have my image published in ‘The Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year Book’ and displayed at a major exhibition in the soon to open St James Quarter in Edinburgh along with the other commended and winning images.
The image itself was taken on one of many exploratory dog walks (with Harris) in early 2021. ‘Lockdown’ presented an excuse to explore local areas in depth and a cold spell in January provided a rare opportunity to capture “Winter’s Touch on Autumn Falls” which depicts a meeting of Autumn foliage and ice formations surrounding a small waterfall hidden away from the footpaths of a popular walking loop close to home.
Harris - contributor to the commended image - in his element
Whilst I am very grateful to have been given this opportunity, I am conscious that appreciation of photography is entirely subjective and no doubt luck also played its part. I don’t take pictures to compete, but it’s fun to throw your hat in the ring nonetheless.
Congratulations to all of the winners and other commendees.
9 April 2021
New Website
Welcome to my new website. Check back here for news and updates over the coming months.