Holiday pictures from Scotland - mostly Skye

Bob and his Pentax
Posted 12/06/2008 - 16:48 Link
Recently back from a trip to Scotland, wanted to do some walking but blisters and a stiff back ment I spent more time doing photography than walking...


First the obligatory shot of Eilean Donan Castle

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Then trying to use a 'boat garden' as forground

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Then over onto Skye and the Red Cullin from the road down to Glen Brittle

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The north end of the island is remarkable for it's rock formations one of which is the Old Man of Storr a 145foot/45metre finger of rock

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The coastal sceenary is spectacular too

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(near cliffs selectively brightened)

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(sky replaced from equivalent shot with different exposure)

The other main area for strange rock formations is the Quiraing where there is a large outcrop known as 'The Prison' and a rock spire known as 'The Needle' (note the people in the lower left of #12 which puts the formations into scale)

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(sky replaced from equivalent shot with different exposure)

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Over on the west side of Skye is Dunvegan Castle, the grounds were very colourful at this time of year

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From Dunvegan Castle there are boat rides to see the seals. The sea was really calm so I risked the camera in the 15 foot open 'rowing' boat but deciding not to change lens while in the boat fitted the 200mm, but wished I had chosen the 50-135mm as we were so close to the seals and I had to miss pictures which were too close to frame properly with 200mm lens.

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Finaly on the way back home I stoped at the head of Glencoe / Glen Etive to take a picture of the waterfalls in the River Etive

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(ND grad filter to stop sky blowing out)

All shots taken with K20D and 16-50DA*, 50-135DA* and 200DA* lenses; picutres all from the JPG from RAW + JPG shooting.
Exif is retained in all shots except those in pictures marked as edited and all pictures are full frame.
Any comments on technique, composition etc appreciated.

Good luck
Bob
Good luck

Bob

Pentax user since 1978, Digital since 1997.
Kit includes: K-7, K20D, K10D, *istDS, full set DA* lens, etc
Malo1961
Posted 12/06/2008 - 19:44 Link
Hi Bob,
That is a nice but...........very large amount of pictures. The fact that you end your post by wishing all the viewers luck, wasn't a joke was it?
Seriously.....,I won't comment on the pictures one for one. Generally speaking I think most of them lack a bit of Oooompf. Saturation and contrast are missing here. And quit a few seem a bit on the soft side.
Next time shoot raw only and work on the files. The lenses you have are capable of very good( The best) results possible, but don't downgrade them by using the jpeg's only. And a friendly tip for your next post. Bring it back to a maximum of five. If I look at this post there are 5 different subjects times 5 variations. (more or less) It's simply to much for a serious piece of C & C. I am sure you will get all the comments and tips you need. We are all willing, but ......well you know what I mean
Best regards,
Martin.
Best regards,

Martin.


Curious about my photography?? Just Follow the Light.
simonkit
Posted 12/06/2008 - 19:56 Link
A good account of your trip !!

I'd echo previous comments that the lighting was a little unkind, but we don't always have any choice when on holiday. I think you would do them more justice by splitting the shots into separate threads.

simon
ChrisA
Posted 12/06/2008 - 20:14 Link
Quote:
I think you would do them more justice by splitting the shots into separate threads.
My view, FWIW, is that if someone really wants some detailed C&C, they should post one photo.

If they want to showcase a bunch of photos, they should post a link to a gallery, with maybe a few small pictures to give a flavour, and despite being open to them, should not expect much in the way of comments.

Having dozens of photos (literally in this case) in a thread means that they load very slowly, and usually I've closed down the browser tab long before they've all loaded. And if I do wait for them to load (which I did eventually), there often isn't time to do such a large number justice - so there'd have to be something quite glaring about one of them to be able to do much more than say "nice series".

Which it is, of course
Galoot
Posted 12/06/2008 - 20:49 Link
Pushed the wrong button, see next post
Galoot
Posted 12/06/2008 - 20:50 Link
Eilean Donan Castle is a fantastic landmark, but in the first three pictures, it is fighting for attention, too little of it in the first two, and too much of it in the third. Boats, plants and nets all too much.



Malo1961 said,

Quote:
Seriously.....,I won't comment on the pictures one for one. Generally speaking I think most of them lack a bit of Oooompf. Saturation and contrast are missing here. And quit a few seem a bit on the soft side.
and I would agree, not all the pictures are bad, far from it, one or two could benefit from some cropping and a little lift in contrast. I think No.14 could be something special with a little work.
Aiki
Posted 14/06/2008 - 15:04 Link
I was hitchiking in Scotland over 10 years ago ('94) The pictures are "sweet recognizing moment".

I was taking slaides that time, with old ZENIT (if you have heard of such).....so nothing in digi.
And Eilean Donan Castle is now my favourite - that I have scanned in as well, but not so good quality. Pity. Anyway, you made me to wish to share my view of the castle.
I will do it later....when I learn how to do it

Can you tell me exactly, where are taken photos nr 7 and 8. ? I missed this site on my trip.

Your photos: Really nice travel series! but not artistic. (as well as mine)
These made me remind my trip. An excellent photo should make me forget about my experience and pay all the attention to the PHOTO.

best wishes,

Aiki
Aiki

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Pentax K20D; SMC DA 18-55mm II kit; Sigma AF 70-300/4-5.6 APO DG MACRO
GIMP Flickr
PPG
Aiki
Posted 14/06/2008 - 18:41 Link
Hei!

Here is my photo, nothing is changed. Made with ZENIT, as a slide (diapositive) in 1994.
I know, the composition isnt great (castle right in the middle)
and not a nice thing in the bottom corner.
This is a work of croping etc.



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Aiki

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Pentax K20D; SMC DA 18-55mm II kit; Sigma AF 70-300/4-5.6 APO DG MACRO
GIMP Flickr
PPG

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