Elian Donan, a photo from Highland, Scotland

Photographer's Note

At took this photo on my way out from the Isle of Skye. That day the weather was something else, an experience I will remember for a long time. I had never seen before rain come down with such force.
Water was pouring down from the mountains into every direction creating millions of water streams, an amazing sight. While I was approaching the Elian Donan castle I though certainly there would be no chance in hell heaven or earth that I could possibly snap a single photo. Just 30 mins prior I came of my car to get a close look at a raging stream, I could barely walk, let alone open my eyes because of the sheer force the rain was coming down with. These were the conditions while I was making on my way to Elian Donan.
When I got to the castle the conditions were more or less the same and I was disappointed that I wouldn㦙 get a chance to photograph it.
I played around by setting my tripod inside the car (a first for me), that of course didn㦙 work then I took few snaps from inside the car through the windshield, I was getting desperate.
Not long after the rain eased and I made my way out with the super umbrella I bought in a Scottish pharmacy. I was taking photos for 30-40 minutes when this tiny opening appeared in the sky. That was also the only brief moment of blue sky for that day.

fotoguy22, alainh, robjol, tyro, Aliine, smythdylan has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

fotoguy22 (4795) 2007-06-16 22:18

Emmanuel: Great colors, a real eerie feeling with great clouds. Your refusal to let the weather get the best of you paid off. This is a wonderful photograph. Very Harry Potter-ish.

Greetings from Florida..............Greg

alainh (33209) 2007-06-17 0:10

hello Emmanuel
splendid atmosphere you give at your composition.welle balanced.
a nice picture
have a good week-end
alain

marioana (2256) 2007-06-17 3:34

Hi Emmanuel.
Very beautiful indeed. This is how it looked when I visited. I love the colour and the low clouds on the hill. You've captured it very well.
Regards, Steve.

robjol (2399) 2007-06-17 3:44

Hello Emmanuel,
Superb, you certaily got the right mood for this one, old castle, dark clouds and rain.
Plenty details in the colour, rocks and seaweed.
A few years past I was on this route, Oban was great sunny day, next day to Skye on route it was like the heavens opened.
Great photo,
Regards Rob.

rgarrigus (0) 2007-06-17 3:49

Emmanuel,

This is how Eilan Donan is supposed to look! Good sharpness and colors. Someone else probably mentions it on TE but this castle was used for the filming of the first Highlander movie. The scene where they kick McCloud out of his village was filmed on the bridge connecting the castle to the shore.

tyro (30513) 2007-06-17 4:00

Well done, Emmanuel!

Well, this really shows how patience pays off. Most of us would have given up before you managed to take this picture but you persisted and waited and have got this wonderful result.

Excellent photograph and a very interesting note too!

Best Wishes,

John.

sowhat (1004) 2007-06-17 7:39

Excellent shot and quite an hard one to get, as I see.
Anyway you managed to get a perfect POV, excellent composition and beautiful colors inspite of the grey sky.
TFS,
Ioana

Aliine (2669) 2007-06-18 11:24

Hello Emmanuel,
Excellente ambiance ;)
Les couleurs vertes-brunes des herbes sont splendides...
Bonne soir嶪
Aline

JPeixe (92) 2007-06-22 8:11

Ol�

Um enquadramento e uma composi誽o fant嫳ticas!
A luz est� muito boa!Neste caso acho que � a melhor para retratar o local!
Obrigado por partilhares os momentos da captura da foto!
Abra蔞

drago (4832) 2007-08-01 7:09

Emmanuel hi,Scottish weather can be really hard and unpredictable!I remember my trip to the Highlands when weather changed from snow to sunny within minutes!A really great compo you present us here,fine perspective and details together with the perfect quality.A splendid job!
Regards
Panagiotis

autumn_ethereal (570) 2007-09-27 5:02

I have never seen this one from you . I love the mood ! ;)

smythdylan (74) 2009-04-01 22:52