When I arrived the air was clear and the Loch bright – unfortunately that meant I received a mauling at the hands of the Skye midges! Just as I was about to leave the weather changed, the wind picked up, the midges disappeared and the temperature dropped. It was only when I moved my eye from the viewfinder and stretched my legs, after crouching down behind my tripod, that I realised the Loch was enveloped in mist. It was mysterious, ethereal and magical and there was a tiny slither of light across the middle of the Loch.
Slow Shutter Speed Reeds 38 – Alison Price, July 2019
Slow Shutter Speed Reeds 39 – Alison Price, July 2019
Slow Shutter Speed Reeds 40 – Alison Price, July 2019
Slow Shutter Speed Reeds 41 – Alison Price, July 2019
I love the glimpses of what lies beyond the reeds providing some hints to the viewer as to the wider scene – a couple of trees or a Red Cuillin.
The rest of the week on the Loch has been very still, calm and serene with the resultant midges to deal with. I am now sporting a very attractive baseball cap complete with mosquito net which keeps most of them at bay – except the particularly tenacious one that gets inside the net!
I have continued to experiment with slow shutter speeds and capturing the tiniest movements in the calm waters, stately reeds and picking out some of the water lilies dotted across the Loch:
Slow Shutter Speed Reeds 42 – Alison Price, July 2019
Slow Shutter Speed Reeds 43 – Alison Price, July 2019
Slow Shutter Speed Reeds 44 – Alison Price, July 2019
And today even less movement to capture but the water has become less clear and its levels have dropped giving the surface a milky and contaminated feel:
Slow Shutter Speed Reeds 45 – Alison Price, August 2019
Slow Shutter Speeds Reeds 46 – Alison Price, August 2019
I almost find myself hoping for wind and rain next week!
Would really find feedback helpful at this stage. . .
36 and 38 are very atmospheric, the trees in the background really add to the feel, and of the lilies I think 42 has more balance. They all give more gentle vision of Skye. Inspired by Monet?
The mist is a such a gift; arousing feelings of anticipation and joy as it lifts and somber echoes of past eras in the glen when lurking semi opaque. 36 works really well for me: the twin trees are central and dominant and make me wonder whether they were planted for a purpose and perhaps represent a relationship , or are a result of natural seeding. So close together and far from other trees….. I love the tiers of colour and textures in the foreground : the middle dark green layer comes as a surprise to me between 2 less distinct but also interesting layers . In the background, vertical strata of the rock face, rolling hillocks, along with the 2 central trees , build on and offer new textures, direction, depth and colours to the horizontal bias of the foreground. Unusual to see the granite looking soft. My other favourite is 42- a sharp , vibrant , rich palette- I love the vivid purple, blue and green backdrop , with inky reflections , against which the water lily gleams in solitary splendour – the silvery light caught on reeds close to it look like shooting stars :further enhancement
Thanks for your detailed critique. 36 is one of my favourites too.