NikonGear'23

Travelogues => Travel Diaries => Topic started by: David Paterson on May 13, 2017, 19:53:58

Title: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: David Paterson on May 13, 2017, 19:53:58
Mikes (Mike Selby) is on holiday in Scotland and we went together to the Isle of Skye for a couple of days. These are a few of my images, and I hope Mike will post here too.

1. Dunvegan Castle gardens.
2. Sunset behind "Macleod's Table".
3. Faery Glen, near Uig.
4. Evening sun at Harlosh.
5. Ruined church at Hinnisdal.
6. Portree, "capital" of Skye.
7. Mallaig, en route to Skye.
8. Looking south from Struan
9. The main cliffs of The Quirang.
10. The southern part of The Quirang

Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: simato73 on May 13, 2017, 20:40:26
Amazing, I spent all day poring over maps getting ideas about what I could do on Skye, and wondering whether I should take more days in October to go there - and ask you if you would join me.
Another thing that fascinates me about Skye, it seems to have many more Norse toponyms than in many other parts of Scotland (except perhaps Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland, I don't know about these).

Excellent images as usual, looking forward to Mike's.
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: golunvolo on May 13, 2017, 20:52:27
Impressive place. Thanks for the images.

  I just don´t get the #6, what are I looking at?
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: David H. Hartman on May 13, 2017, 21:19:23
Many fine images: thank you!

#1 stands out for me due to textures, colors and to me the photograph of this plant is quite unique. The light on the subject is excellent.

Dave Hartman
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: Lars Hansen on May 13, 2017, 22:01:20
Wonderful landscapes - excellent captures and processing.
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: David Paterson on May 13, 2017, 22:59:49
Thanks for the friendly comments.

Simone - I expect I'll be ready for another trip by the autumn - I don't easily tire of Skye. And yes - there are many, many place-names of Old Norse origin scattered around the coasts of nw Scotland and its islands; a fascinating subject for study.

Paco - it's just a snapshot of the main square in Skye's only town. Skye has several times been suggested as a location for an NG get-together, so I was trying to show a variety of things in this post.

David - I agree - this is a beautiful plant, which I have never seen before. I want it for my garden.

Lars - thank you. The landscapes in Skye are unique; I love going there.
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: Akira on May 13, 2017, 23:15:21
Very dynamic series, Dave!  The first two images are killers!
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: Mikes on May 14, 2017, 08:51:52
Beautiful images that encapsulate Skye's rather unique characteristics. Excellent processing has brought out its lovely colours, even where they were not obvious because of the mistiness that occurs at times. I do like #8 "Looking south from Struan" (taken using a fence post for stability, if I remember correctly), and the The Quirang images. Your new 200-500 zoom is a great tool.

I am now in Shieldaig for a couple of days. Unfortunately I will have to wait until I get back to my laptop in Tokyo to process and post mine. In the interim, a couple of iPhone snaps from the pub here will have to suffice.


Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: Akira on May 14, 2017, 09:11:43
Mike, you are ubiquitous!  Apparently nice place to photograph.
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: John Geerts on May 14, 2017, 09:13:48
Impressive series, David ! 

Great light on the first one, Mike !!
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: chris dees on May 14, 2017, 09:47:25
Beautiful series David.
Sky is one of the most impressive places I've been and it's likely I'll go there again (I rarely visit the same place 2 times).
When we visited Sky we took a tour with a local photographer and he showed us many beautiful places.
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: David Paterson on May 14, 2017, 10:20:03
Thank you, Akira, John and Chris, for your kind comments.

Mike - good to hear from you and I see you made it safely to Shieldaig. The weather forecast remains changeable, with sunshine and showers predicted for most days, so you should get some decent opportunities. My Skye files did require a bit more pp than is normal for me, but they mostly look ok.

Good luck for the rest of your trip.
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: Mikes on May 14, 2017, 20:35:28
Great light on the first one, Mike !!

Thanks, John. The light was beautiful indeed.

Mike - good to hear from you and I see you made it safely to Shieldaig. The weather forecast remains changeable, with sunshine and showers predicted for most days, so you should get some decent opportunities. My Skye files did require a bit more pp than is normal for me, but they mostly look ok.

Good luck for the rest of your trip.

Thanks, Dave. It was a beautiful, warm sunny afternoon here, after heavy rain showers in the morning! I was almost tempted to sample a local ale in the pub at Applecross.

Mike, you are ubiquitous!  Apparently nice place to photograph.

Hi Akira - yes, it is a great place for photography!
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: David Paterson on May 14, 2017, 21:05:38
A few more images from Skye -

1. Abandoned farm near Cabost
2. Weathered timber at Hinisdal.
3. In the interior - Trotternish.
4. Mike contemplates some dare-devil climbing in the Faery Glen.
5. Big sea view from Duntulm.
6. Castle ruins at Duntulm.
7. "MacLeod's Tables" at sunset.
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: Thomas G on May 14, 2017, 21:18:25
With every image posted here Scotland moves up closer to the top of my travel wishlist.
Thanks, David.
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: David Paterson on May 14, 2017, 22:35:36
Thanks, Thomas. As long as the weather is kind, you won't be disappointed.
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: Mikes on May 14, 2017, 22:58:04
A gathering of the Clan McMorgan in Applecross - from my iPhone today.

Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: Jan Anne on May 14, 2017, 23:47:47
My Skye files did require a bit more pp than is normal for me, but they mostly look ok.
And as humble as ever :)

Great series Dave, really enjoyed them.
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: Fons Baerken on May 15, 2017, 09:15:43
Great series! Enjoy seeing!
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: David Paterson on May 15, 2017, 10:14:53
J.A. - good to hear from you, and I'm glad you liked the series.

Fons - the same, and I apologise from being absent recently from your posts/comments.
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: David Paterson on May 16, 2017, 12:59:03
A final few images from me, looking for some with a different mood (also known as "scraping the bottom of the barrel") -

1. The ruined church - better comp and rendition.
2. Duntulm ruins.
3. Pinnacle, Faery Glen.
4. Farmyard, Trotternish.
5. The Shiant Islands with the mountains of Harris behind (500mm tele shot).
6. Last sun on Loch Harport.
7. In Mallaig harbour.
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: Akira on May 16, 2017, 13:03:05
Thanks for the additional images!  I love the ruin shots and the ripples reflecting the setting (?) sun.

The third image of the second set is interesting, but I'm not sure if I have a reference of the scale.  Do I see sheep here and there?
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: Erik Lund on May 16, 2017, 14:09:02
Wonderfull :) I'm sure that all in the last set would print amazingly in large print!
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: David Paterson on May 16, 2017, 15:27:44
Thanks, Akira and Erik.

Akira - no, the scale is much smaller than that. The white things are patches of lichen (the pinnacle is ~20m tall).

Erik - I have printed only a couple so far (on A2), and am quite pleased with them.
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: Akira on May 16, 2017, 17:28:00
Akira - no, the scale is much smaller than that. The white things are patches of lichen (the pinnacle is ~20m tall).

LOL!  Thank you for the details.
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: Anirban Halder on May 17, 2017, 03:35:06
Dave - as always an phenomenal series. First shot is exceptional in so many ways framing, colour, texture, sharpness. I personally like #5(Ruined church at Hinnisdal) and #8 (Looking south from Struan) a lot from the first series and "In the interior - Trotternis" from the second series.
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: David Paterson on May 17, 2017, 09:05:03
Anirban - Thanks for the kind comment. Your choice of favourites is interesting and not what I might have expected; but similar to my own choice.
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: Frank Fremerey on May 17, 2017, 09:50:25
David. Thank you!

I love the Isle of Skye. You took me on a joyride there. Thank you.

My last visit was in the Film Days, a detour from my reporting on the Field Programmable Logic conference in 1999
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: David Paterson on May 17, 2017, 13:33:08
David. Thank you!
I love the Isle of Skye. You took me on a joyride there. Thank you.

Thank you, Frank. Until just a few years ago, I could truthfully say I had been on Skye every year for 25 years. That record has slipped a bit, but I was there in 2016 and now 2017. I love it.
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: Mikes on May 29, 2017, 16:56:34
At last I have been able to get my act together, and can now post some of the images made whilst spending a few days travelling around Skye with David.

David's is a very hard act to follow, but here goes.

1. Faery Glen - Uig
2. Faery Glen - Uig
3. Late afternoon - The Quirang
4. Monkey tree, Dunvegan Castle
5. View from ruined church, Himmisdal
6. Portree sunset
7. The Old Man of Storr - late afternoon
8. The Old Man of Storr - dusk



Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: Jakov Minić on May 29, 2017, 17:00:42
David and Mike, wonderful.
The Last Sun is my absolute favorite!
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: Mikes on May 29, 2017, 18:00:16
Many thanks, Jakov.
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: Mikes on May 29, 2017, 18:05:44
Unfortunately the sky in No. 3 (Late afternoon - The Quirang) has been reproduced with a strange cast, so I have reposted it here.


Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: Akira on May 29, 2017, 20:59:36
Wow, Mike, the series is lovely!

#1 looks very peculiar.  What are the spiral and three seemingly artificial round objects for?

"Portree Sunset" is gorgeous!
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: golunvolo on May 30, 2017, 00:07:16
Very very nice series. That last one use of depth is excellent
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: Mikes on May 30, 2017, 02:09:05
Wow, Mike, the series is lovely!

#1 looks very peculiar.  What are the spiral and three seemingly artificial round objects for?

"Portree Sunset" is gorgeous!

Many thanks, Akira. No doubt David can enlighten us here, but an Isle of Skye website advises that "In recent years’ visitors have started to move the rocks to create spirals on the ground. We have been told that some of the bus tour guides have made up and encouraged some rituals involving walking the spirals then leaving a coin or token in the centre as an offering to the fairies for good luck. The locals on Skye have repeatedly removed these stone spirals in an attempt to keep the Glen in it's natural state".

Very very nice series. That last one use of depth is excellent

Thank you, Golunvolo. The last one posted (Late afternoon - The Quirang) did require more than the usual amount of processing, because conditions there were quite misty.
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: Akira on May 30, 2017, 05:36:57
Mike, thanks for the info.  Actually I also checked out the website but apparently failed to find the info you shared.  Frankly it is a bit disappointing...

However, the sunset and other scenes are real and beautiful, which makes up for the disappointment well.
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: Mikes on May 30, 2017, 05:50:37
Mike, thanks for the info.  Actually I also checked out the website but apparently failed to find the info you shared.  Frankly it is a bit disappointing...

However, the sunset and other scenes are real and beautiful, which makes up for the disappointment well.

Akira - here is my source https://www.isleofskye.com/skye-guide/skye-places/fairy-glen (https://www.isleofskye.com/skye-guide/skye-places/fairy-glen)
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: Mikes on May 30, 2017, 06:18:51
A few more images from Skye:

1. Dunscaith Castle
2. Dantulum Castle
3. Looking seawards from Dantulum Castle
4. P ssing Place
5. Loch Harport
6. Loch Harport - seen better days
7. Portree waterfront
8. One of the Fairy Pools at the foot of the Black Cuillins (link: https://www.isleofskye.com/skye-guide/top-ten-skye-walks/fairy-pools (https://www.isleofskye.com/skye-guide/top-ten-skye-walks/fairy-pools)

Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: Akira on May 30, 2017, 20:05:07
Akira - here is my source https://www.isleofskye.com/skye-guide/skye-places/fairy-glen (https://www.isleofskye.com/skye-guide/skye-places/fairy-glen)

Yes, that's where google search guided me.  I didn't like the image of the slide show and left the website without paying much attention to the texts.  :D
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: Akira on May 30, 2017, 20:07:49
#5 is my favorite in the second series.  The red outline of the house of the fully desaturated color against the green surroundings...nice color composition.
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: David Paterson on May 30, 2017, 21:33:53
Both series excellent, Mike, and I'm left wondering how I passed so many good images by, without seeing them?

What your pics and mine demonstrate very well is that it is the eye of the photographer which constructs the image, not the equipment used. For most of three days we went to exactly the same places and saw the same things, yet our images could hardly be more different.  I still hear or read comments occasionally to the effect that photography cannot be art, because if your put two photogs in the same place with the same equipment, their images will be the same. What utter cr*p.

Good work, mate.
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: Mikes on May 31, 2017, 17:30:15
#5 is my favorite in the second series.  The red outline of the house of the fully desaturated color against the green surroundings...nice color composition.

Thanks, Akira. It was a catch of the moment - 15 minutes later, a breeze came in and the mirror broke up!

Both series excellent, Mike, and I'm left wondering how I passed so many good images by, without seeing them?

What your pics and mine demonstrate very well is that it is the eye of the photographer which constructs the image, not the equipment used. For most of three days we went to exactly the same places and saw the same things, yet our images could hardly be more different.  I still hear or read comments occasionally to the effect that photography cannot be art, because if your put two photogs in the same place with the same equipment, their images will be the same. What utter cr*p.

Good work, mate.

You don't miss much at all  :)

Thanks, David. I agree completely with your sentiment. That is one of the reasons why the NikonGear meet up in Scotland was so interesting for me. I enjoyed seeing the diversity of ways in which participants there interpreted the same scenes. As with the meetups we have had in Tokyo with Akira....
Title: Re: A visit to the Isle of Skye
Post by: Akira on June 01, 2017, 00:41:43
Thanks, Akira. It was a catch of the moment - 15 minutes later, a breeze came in and the mirror broke up!

You don't miss much at all  :)

Mike, if I understand correctly, the landscape photography is about capturing the moment, not the still lives or dead materials.  :)

I also fully agree with David!