Durness Beachscape, a photo from Highland, Scotland

Photographer's Note

In the last few years we have started to visit the more remote areas of Scotland. Recently we drove to the North-West Highlands and the Orkney Islands (from Inverness Airport). Durness is the most north-westerly village, or group of crofting hamlets, on the British Mainland and reached only by single track roads. It is close to Cape Wrath. The beaches are vast and not crowded and the weather can be cold and very changeable at any time of the year as we found out. Indeed the week before we arrived it was the warmest place in Britain! However, it is a very special place and one that I would not hesitate to revisit whatever the weather.

pajaran, papagolf21, holmertz, kasianowak, jhm, bukitgolfb301, Energysavingelk, macjake, cornejo, tyro, tyro, PaulVDV has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

mesutilgim (0) 2019-07-20 12:01

Hello Ann,
Another pefect capture and entry in your gallery .
Perfect pov and ligth management.
The dramatic atmosphere is given perfectly.
And the lonesome man with his dog adds a perfect effect to this scenery.
TFS and have a nice weekend
MESUT ILGIM

GyurMaster (24668) 2019-07-20 14:10

Dear Ann,

Though I had only a few days in Scotland in 2013, returning there is on my bucket list. Your photo made me want back immediately. Its an excellent shot! :)

Best Wishes,
Gy.

Tue (91450) 2019-07-20 20:33

Hello Ann,
It is such a fantastic landscape and the dramatic clouds look amazing. Their reflection in the wet sand are also wonderful and add such a great pattern. The person and dog are well included as well.
Lars

papagolf21 (152605) 2019-07-20 23:26

Bonjour, Ann,
Il existe des moments pr嶰ieux offerts par la nature.
Ici, la prise de vue 彋ait n嶰essaire pour nous offrir ce spectacle particulier;
J'aime beaucoup cette composition.
Amiti廥.
Philippe

emka (157280) 2019-07-21 0:02

hello Ann, Before we met in Lake District (so many years have passed..) I traveled to Scotland by public transportation. And it was very difficult. I managed to go to the place in the opposite direction - to John O'Groats. I was not sure if I would come back, as the buses and trains were scarce. With the car, it would be much more simple. I like places that are not so popular. Wonderful wild beach, splendid reflections in the wet sand. And you were lucky to see the guy with the dog. The composition wouldn't be the same without them.
Have a nice Sunday

MAlgo

holmertz (101880) 2019-07-21 1:00

Hello Ann,
I think the dog loves to run across the wet sand. His master has to go there whether he likes it or not. Both of them greatly benefit your photo by filling some of the foreground with life and reflections. At first the green hill seems to be the only part of the photo that is not basically grey, but there are so many fine tones, some going on blue, others with a touch of brown, that it never gets boring. There is a fabulous light reflected in the wide low tide beach.
Best regards,
Gert

kasianowak (17648) 2019-07-21 3:12

Hi Ann
Many photographers seek out sunny weather but I think these dramatic inky clouds are very photogenic. Together with the reflections and the darker hues of the mountains in the distance, it's more than 50 shades of grey. ;-)
The minimalist composition works very well too and the lonely human figure and their dog make for very suitable focus points - great timing!
Have a nice Sunday
Kasia

lousat (138521) 2019-07-21 7:26

Hi Ann,i been in the Highlands beaches many many years ago and your pic reminds me the lovely sense of large spaces,the lights and the clouds. Beautiful composition well exposed and very sharp and finally natural and not so hard postprocessed..ehehe...well done! Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

rychem (72187) 2019-07-21 8:30

Extreme minimalism, I like such minimalist shots very much, interesting light and great effect of a photo with varying tones of only one color.
regards Ryszard

jhm (211734) 2019-07-21 10:15

Hello Ann,

This is a wonderful weather picture with the different clouds.
The man and dog are a nice addition.
Sharpness and clarity are perfect.
Nice moment photography with an excellent result.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice day,
John.

bukitgolfb301 (54014) 2019-07-21 16:12

Hi dear Ann

Panfocus approach has made so dramatic output as such.
NIce camparison for the above and bellow, seeming like a sandwitch. Lonelyness is so well perceived.

All the best and have a good day! Takero

Energysavingelk (7814) 2019-07-22 9:46

Hello Ann!

Though I know what to expect (as my elder son has already been up there), this reminds me of some Irish song lyrics:
"It was in the year 39.
The sky was grey like lead
when Hitler was heading for Poland
and Paddy for Holyhead."
To my eyes, this is lead.

Regards from sunny Rhineland
Sven

macjake (98256) 2019-07-26 17:41

Hi Ann
I just had to take a closer look at this one.
love that name Cape Wrath - sounds very ominous. Anytime you can see low level water like this over wet sand, you have to take photos :) The dog must be loving it as well. and how perfect is it to have those low cloud too, awesome. cheers
Craig

cornejo (61504) 2019-07-27 3:46

Hello Ann, very nice photograph of this beautiful and interesting minimalist composition with the view of the beach, very well captured in this beautiful image, with good sharpness, light, color and quality. Very good and interesting work perfectly done, my congratulations my friend. Thank you for sharing this beautiful work.

Good afternoon and happy Sunday.
Best wishes from southern Spain.
Angel.

tyro (30513) 2019-07-27 14:32

Hello Ann,

A fascinating note about this place which I'm afraid I've not revisited for far too long.

Your composition here accentuated the extent of this wonderful beach and, of course, the man and his dog are essential elements of this fine photograph. Lovely soft light, true colours, perfect exposure and exquisite details and sharpness.

Beautiful!

Kind Regards,

John.

carlo62 (81265) 2019-08-04 14:28

Ciao Ann
la foto � molto suggestiva, ci mostra perfettamente ci� che descrivi nella nota.
Il tempo non era dei migliori, ma � proprio questo che rende tutto pi� fantastico.
Saluti
Carlo

PaulVDV (62746) 2019-08-05 9:56

Hello Ann,
The threatening sky creates a special atmosphere.
I would still think twice before visiting this region. :)
But I certainly see the beauty of this coast.
Remarkable how the sea is hard to distinguish from the wet beach. The man and his dog make it clear.
Best regards, Paul