Congratulations to Matt Anderson for winning Feature Thread of the Week with 7 votes - View Previous Winners
I spent two weeks in Scotland back in December. What a wonderful time of year to go. It was cold, moody, dramatic weather, and perpetual golden hour for most of the days. These two images represent some of the most ephemeral light conditions I experienced. Having no idea what to expect on this trip, I came away moved, changed, and recharged. I have a new appreciation for the UK Landscape, and what many treasures are to be had. Also, prior to the trip, I was quite fond of tequila. Well, I've now switched to scotch. While shooting Lochan na h-Achlaise, there was a Scottich Doctor / Photographer who was near my location shooting as well. We chatted a bit. He remarked that the conditions that day were the best he'd ever seen in the 16 years he'd been coming to this location. I was humbled.
I've added a crop version of each image. I'm curious which you prefer..
Trotternish Ridge Light Description:
Also referred to as “The Quiraing” or “Cuith-Raing’” is a landslip on the eastern face of Meall na Suiramach, the northernmost summit of the Trotternish or Tṛndairnis (Scottish Gaelic) on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. Taken in dramatic December weather, the stormy ephemeral light opens and beams of short lived godrays radiate down over the spiked land formation called The Cleat, Loch Cleat, and Loch Leum na Luirginn below. The highest ridge to the right is called Dun Dubh, and the interesting craggy dinosaur back - shark fin formation on the lower right is called Cnoc a Mheirlich.
Lochan na h-Achlaise #1 Description:
9 vertical 70mm 36mp images stitched, resulting final file is 275mp.
Spectacular dramatic weather creates an amazing light show over the Mountains of Loch na h-Achlaise. The tranquil water of the loch reflects the distant mountains, islands of trees, and foreground rocks in perfect symmetry.
Lochan na h-Achlaise is a lake in Rannoch Moor - Scottish Highlands and is nearby to Black Mount, Achallader, and Stob a' Choire Odhair. Near Glencoe, it’s the gateway to the Scottish Highlands and not only produces some of the most dramatic scenery in the world, but also some of the most changeable weather. The four main peaks in this photo: Left: Meall Beag (475metres) Middle Left: Clac Leathad (1098 metres) Middle Right: Meall a Bhuiridh (1108 metres) Far Right in the Distance: Mamores Range
Great light and composing, Matt. For me, also, the non-cropped are superior versions; their expansive framings say "landscape" to me. Especially the first image.
I like both versions on both images, but if I had to pick, I would prefer the uncropped versions because of the expansiveness. It is difficult, really to choose, since the choice is really between tremendously beautiful expansive views and equally beautiful views in which you are brought right into the scene.
Trotternish Ridge is very nice. I really like number 2 composition. The white rocks in bottom right # 1 draw the eye away which causes me to favor 2 but if I had not seen 2, I would have not have remarked - so 1 is very good too. Very nice shot of a great place. Thanks for sharing. Scott
Beautiful images! I prefer the first image cropped (to me, the essence of the image resides in the cropped version). On the second image, both versions look great to me. These are really wonderful! Thanks for sharing.
Keith W.
Very nice work Matt. I think the creek/river lines in the lower left of image #1 are vital, and I would not crop them out. I like both versions of the second image. As far as scotch goes, I would take it any day over ta-kill-ya, especially if it came from the Isle of Islay.
Beautiful! I prefer the uncropped versions for both. For #2 I prefer the stones on the right which is part of the expansive feel of the uncropped version.
