It's a foul day on Fair Isle with rain and a 35mph E'ly wind, gusting to 50mph. Explains why I've just uploaded a few more pictures to my portfolio.

There are some 24 households on Fair Isle. Not all have cars - some have two (or more). So about a couple of dozen cars. 4 miles of road. We have to have the cars taxed, but are exempt MOT. Was going to include a picture here of half the Isles cars in the car park at the airstrip, but realised it might not be the done thing asit was taken on my Leica D-Lux 4!

Rabbits . . . thousands of them. All different colours! It is said a lighthousekeeper (about a hundred years ago) brought a couple as pets. Let them go when he got his posting. Needless to say, since then they have bred like . . . . rabbits. Apart from the house mouse and a bigger Fair Isle mouse, no other land mammals. There are frogs - brought to the Isle a couple of decades ago. They are managing to survive, despite being food for many of the birds!

Thanks folks for all the comments. The praise is most welcome! However, feel free to criticse where and when you think it appropriate. Got used to that in the late 60s/early70s as a member of the Edinburgh Photographic Society.

I just love this island - so much going on in a small (pop 70) and vibrant community. No trees, not many buildings, just the ever-changing light over land, sea and sky. Island light indeed!

Would love to post some of my crofting/animal/people/activities shots but, as I'm almost always involved, the majority are taken using my always-with-me compact - a Leica D-Lux 4. Difficult to shear a sheep with a K20D hanging around your neck!

Recently, I almost bought an Optio W80 (would have been good for the wild-weather shots), but was put off by the reviews as all mentioned the excessive noise.

Glad to be a member of this very welcoming group!

Had a write up and a few photos in Rangefinder. See 'This Month - Articles' Dave Wheeler - Island Light. The direct link is link
Also a few images on the PPG

That would be Dr Mike Richardson of the Nature Conserancy? I remember him!
Unfortunately, I guess I haven't had the pleasure of meeting you - at least I can't recollect having done so. Perhaps next time you are in Shetland!
Glad you like the performing arts gallery. 'Gig' photography has always interested me. Didn't manage to get much other than the odd 'snap' when I managed out to the recent Eric Bogle concert in Lerwick. However, was given good access for his concert in Wentworth, Yorkshire, a few years ago!
There is quite a bit of opportunity for 'stage' photography - in its broadest sense - here on the Isle, as we do get a number of internationally recognised performers each year.

First pics uploaded - back to a previous life circa 1970! New Seekers, STV, Edinburgh. Camera used the Sla. Transparencies scanned with Nikon Coolscan.

I'm interested to see Ken MacGregor worked at the BBC as a Trainee Assistant Film Cameraman. When we returned from South Georgia, I applied for a job with Scottish Television as a trainee camerman! Post filled, but I was offered - and accepted - a job as a Sound Engineer. I was with STV 1968-1972, working firts in Glasgow, but soon moved to Edinburgh when they opened their new coulour studio in the converted Gateway Theatre. Spent a lot of 'unofficial' time with their stills photographer. Picked up plenty of info there!

I did indeed meet Bill Tilman. Probably the last of the 'old-style' mountaineers/explorers - what was known in the trade as a very 'hard' man. Below-decks on Mischief was - to say the least - extremely spartan! The matress of Tilman's bunk was where the climbing ropes were stored! Didn't climb with him, but took his ship-mates out on a couple of climbs while they were at Grytviken. Now wish I'd got some internal shots of Mischief, but I was very much in awe of the man and didn't dare!

Hello all! I'm a meteorologist/photographer/crofter, living and working on Fair Isle - a small, remote island off the north coast of Scotland (pop 70) - since 1972.
During most of the 1960s I was a meteorologist on South Georgia, where I really got into photography. I bought my first Pentas Sla in 1963 and learned film and transparency processing, printing etc. A groundwork in darkroom techniques still proving usefull in this digital age! Various other Pentax SLR 35mm film camera followed during the ensuing decades.
I've been true to Pentax for more than 45 years now, albeit with a slight diversion into Nikon (Coolpix 990) for my first digital camera! Oh, and I do have a Leica D-Lux 4 'always-with-me compact - very 'retro'!! However, I soon returned to the fold when Pentax brought out the istD! Since then I've had (still have) the K10D, K20D and now the K7.
I feel my photography is enhanced, rather than limted, by having to work within the confines of the 3km x 5km physical size of Fair Isle.
Cameras: Pentax K10, Pentax K20, Pentax K7
Pentax smc DA 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 ED IF
Sigma 50-500mm f4-6.3 Apo EX DG
smc DFA 100 mm / 2.8 Macro
smc DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 plus monopod, tripod, panoramic head or extension rack for macro, extension tubes, flash, etc
Software: PS CS4 + a number of plugins, LR 2.5 and LR Beta 3
No picture yet on Pentax User, but website at http://www.davewheelerphotography.com South Georgia pics from the 1960s, plus lots of Fair Isle!
Thanks for reading!