NikonGear'23

Travelogues => Travel Diaries => Topic started by: David Paterson on September 04, 2016, 15:38:22

Title: A visit to the Orkney Islands (MORE images added at the end of the thread)
Post by: David Paterson on September 04, 2016, 15:38:22
The trip started with a leisurely 2-day drive to the ferry port at Gills Bay in Caithness. This first set of images covers those two days; further images - of Orkney itself - will follow.

1. The Grampian hills of the central Highlands.
2. Potato-field in the rich farm country of Easter Ross-shire.
3. Salmon nets dry at Portmahomack.
4. The lighthouse at Tarbat Ness.
5. The Moray Firth at Tarbat Ness.
6. At the ferry terminal, Gills Bay.
7. The ferry arrives (modern, twin-hull design, takes about 50 cars).
8. Sailing to Orkney.
9. A new line of uber-pylons takes Scottish hydro-power south.
10. Sun-rays across the Moray Firth.

(Sorry - got my attachments in the wrong order - 9 and 10. should come at the start.)
Title: Re: A visit to the Orkney Islands (northern Scotland)
Post by: armando_m on September 04, 2016, 16:42:45
A place i would like to visit , thanks for sharing your images Dave
Title: Re: A visit to the Orkney Islands (northern Scotland)
Post by: Peter Connan on September 04, 2016, 16:51:13
Some stunning images again David

Especially the second and last speak to me.
Title: Re: A visit to the Orkney Islands (northern Scotland)
Post by: golunvolo on September 04, 2016, 18:47:05
I really like the way you see and how you put that into images. Very versatile use of the tools.


  Thanks for sharing
Title: Re: A visit to the Orkney Islands (northern Scotland)
Post by: basker on September 04, 2016, 19:51:32
Some stunning images again David

Especially the second and last speak to me.

+1     I agree completely, and enjoyed the visit.
Title: Re: A visit to the Orkney Islands (northern Scotland)
Post by: John G on September 04, 2016, 20:02:50
A very nice set of images. Especially the capture of Light.
Title: Re: A visit to the Orkney Islands (northern Scotland)
Post by: David Paterson on September 04, 2016, 21:42:07
Thanks to everyone for the very kind comments. We had great luck with the weather, ie. constantly changing. Not too much plain blue skies and not to much solid grey overcast, but lots of changing, shifting clouds of all types, and tones from brilliant white to darkest charcoal - makes things a lot easier!
Title: Re: A visit to the Orkney Islands (northern Scotland)
Post by: Hugh_3170 on September 05, 2016, 03:25:19
Another great set of images David.  I especially like the 2nd and the last images.

My great grandfather came from Caithness - he was born at Dunbeath and spent much of his time around the nearby Latheron and Latheron-On-Wheel areas.

Title: Re: A visit to the Orkney Islands (northern Scotland)
Post by: Fons Baerken on September 05, 2016, 08:17:18
What a wonderful place to visit..
Title: Re: A visit to the Orkney Islands (northern Scotland)
Post by: Thomas Stellwag on September 05, 2016, 10:42:13
it seems to be a place to visit, your great pictures print that in my internal notebook
Title: Re: A visit to the Orkney Islands (northern Scotland)
Post by: David Paterson on September 05, 2016, 10:50:13
Thank you, Hugh, Fons and Thomas - nice to hear from you. Please bear in mind - this first set of pictures was shot during the journey from Killin to Orkney - pictures of Orkney itself will follow (soon).

Hugh - I've passed through both villages many times but don't know them well. If you google "latheronwheel", there is a fairly short but interesting Wikipedia entry.

Title: Re: A visit to the Orkney Islands (northern Scotland)
Post by: Jakov Minić on September 05, 2016, 11:45:03
David, all of your images are beautiful as is your country!
The Grampian hills are stunning!
Title: Re: A visit to the Orkney Islands (northern Scotland)
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on September 05, 2016, 12:07:38
Excellent power pylons :D and a lot of other interesting landscapes as well.
Title: Re: A visit to the Orkney Islands (northern Scotland)
Post by: Erik Lund on September 05, 2016, 12:37:36
Very solid series! I like them ;)

We need to go back and visit to those islands again,,,
- Said the Weathered Viking,,, ;)
Title: Re: A visit to the Orkney Islands (new images added at the end of the thread)
Post by: David Paterson on September 05, 2016, 13:06:57
Many thanks, Jakov, Bjørn and Erik.

Erik - quite a few Orcadians fly the Norwegian flag outside their homes. Traitors!  ;D  But an NG meet in Orkney - now that would be something . . .

Time to post a few more images - Orkney consists of 70+ islands of which 20+ are inhabited. So boats, ferries and ships of all kinds are part of the way of life . . . .

1. Oil-rig in Scapa Flow
2. Marine cable marker at Sower
3. Breaker's yard at St. Margaret Hope
4. Norwegian-style warehouse in Stromness harbour
5. St Margaret Hope
6. Modern ferry, 18th century house, at Houton
7. Even on dry land . . .
8. Boat fantasy, St Margaret Hope
9. Roped down, at Swanbister
10. Large car-ferry passes the n.w. cliffs of Hoy Island
Title: Re: A visit to the Orkney Islands (new images added at the end of the thread)
Post by: Anthony on September 05, 2016, 20:26:08
David

Seeing these, I am definitely up for an NG meet in Orkney.
Title: Re: A visit to the Orkney Islands (new images added at the end of the thread)
Post by: David Paterson on September 05, 2016, 20:57:12
Well done, A. That's four of us, so far - we probably need a minimum of twelve or so to make a go of it. I have a feeling we might make it.

I'll be posting more images as I process them, but now making a "reportage" of the islands the first priority, rather than cherry-picked "portfolio" images.
Title: Re: A visit to the Orkney Islands (new images added at the end of the thread)
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on September 05, 2016, 21:07:30
Glad to hear your enthusiasm, Anthony :D

I moved some recent posts over to a new thread under "Future NG Events" and people might contribute there too.
Title: Re: A visit to the Orkney Islands (MORE images added at the end of the thread)
Post by: David Paterson on September 08, 2016, 10:18:10
A final set of images from my Orkney trip - landscapes and seascapes.

1. Birsay bay, in  the n.w.of the main island
2. Tidal flats at Swanbister
3. Houton Bay and ferry port
4. The island of Hoy, from Sower
5. Ruin beside the Loch of Boardhouse
6. Barley field at Burray
7. Cattle at Aikerness
8. Morning light at Ward Hill
9. Swanbister Bay
10. Kealylang Hill
Title: Re: A visit to the Orkney Islands (MORE images added at the end of the thread)
Post by: Thomas Stellwag on September 08, 2016, 12:52:38
I am barking ... wow - wow - wow

your skills - this landscape combined with the sea - that´s it for me
Title: Re: A visit to the Orkney Islands (MORE images added at the end of the thread)
Post by: Akira on September 08, 2016, 12:59:03
To me, the last set is the best of the three.  So many breathtakingly beautiful landscapes.  Love the Houton Bay shot: nice contrast between the flock of the birds and the ferry port.
Title: Re: A visit to the Orkney Islands (MORE images added at the end of the thread)
Post by: Mikes on September 08, 2016, 13:56:09
This is a beautiful series Dave, especially the last set. I especially like the late afternoon colours in #4.

Orkney looks like a great place for photography - the soft late summer light is wonderful.

It also looks like a great place to chill out.
Title: Re: A visit to the Orkney Islands (MORE images added at the end of the thread)
Post by: Frank Fremerey on September 08, 2016, 14:08:13
I like pucture 008 the red lory. It has a very high inner harmony.
Title: Re: A visit to the Orkney Islands (MORE images added at the end of the thread)
Post by: David Paterson on September 08, 2016, 18:45:49
Thank you so much, Thomas, Akira, Mike and Frank; how my photographs are received on NG has become very important, these days.

I like pucture 008 the red lory. It has a very high inner harmony.

Frank - I'm glad someone likes that picture; I like it too.

This is a beautiful series Dave, especially the last set. I especially like the late afternoon colours in #4.
Orkney looks like a great place for photography - the soft late summer light is wonderful.
It also looks like a great place to chill out.

Thanks, Mike, and yes to being good for photography and chilling out - we managed a bit of both. :)
Title: Re: A visit to the Orkney Islands (MORE images added at the end of the thread)
Post by: simato73 on September 10, 2016, 08:37:49
My attention in this last remarkable series was captured especially by #2, 3 and 4.
I like the relaxed atmosphere, soft light and beautiful colours.
The part of #3 that attracted me most is the bottom ~3/4, nearly up to the rig. I think with the rig and the horizon cut off you lose a big part of the context, the description of the place, while other more abstract elements, patterns of shapes and colour contrast remain and emerge, which is what made the shot for me.
Title: Re: A visit to the Orkney Islands (MORE images added at the end of the thread)
Post by: Jakov Minić on September 10, 2016, 11:32:30
Breathtaking images!
How can one not want to go there...
Title: Re: A visit to the Orkney Islands (MORE images added at the end of the thread)
Post by: David Paterson on September 10, 2016, 12:04:15
Thank you, Simone and Jakov.

Simone - the tidal flats I shot in many different versions and several are, I think, equal to #3 - in fact #9 is a different treatment of the same beautiful place.