Photographing in Scotland

[davidfarquhar]

I am planning to go to Scotland after Christmas to spend a week in

the Highlands, taking as many photos as I can during this time. I've

done most of my photography with colour print film up to now, but I'm

interested in trying out slides. Does anyone have any suggestions

for a good slide film for taking landscape photographs, especially

for someone not used to using slides.

 

Also, its likely to be snowing a lot up there. Are there any special

tricks / tips for photographin landscapes in snow? Does this depend

on whether you use print or slide film? From some of the other

threads in this forum I picked up that overexposing by 1 - 2 stops

may be a good idea.

[david_henderson]

Velvia.

 

I overexpose snow only if it forms a significant part of my image, and then by 2 stops if brightly lit and 0.5-1 stop if in shade. You might well get a number of images with snow on the tops but the valleys clear. I would tend not to overexpose these.

[rich_ruh]

I shoot slides exclusively, and Velvia is my favorite film. But I would caution against switching to slides on a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Exposing slide film properly can be tricky and takes some practice. You're probably much better off experimenting at home, and using tried-and-true gear and film when on special trips. Velvia, in particular, is a difficult film to "figure out".

 

If you live in Britain, disregard this message.

[ron_shaw]

Dont let the last response scare you. Slide film is NOT that difficult. Even with your camera set to full auto, you will get decent shots most of the time. Velvia is great, and Provia is a favorite of mine, also, with one stop more speed.

[Hector Javkin]

Slide film is not that difficult, but you should bracket your exposures, as well as compensate for what your exposure meter does with snow. Bracketing will teach you a lot about exposing slides, and you will come home with better results. For starters, try bracketing +-1 stop at 1/2-stop intervals, although many like 1/3-stop intervals for slides. It depends how much film you're willing to burn. To make it easier to remember later what you did, always bracket in one direction. Start at, say, 1 stop under, then 1/2 under, then the exposure your meter suggests, then 1/2 over, etc. Keeping track will let you learn from the experience.

 

Look at Phil Greenspun's comments on slide film. I shoot Kodachrome 64, but most people prefer the newer films, only in part because there are few choices for getting Kodachrome processed. Velvia can be stunning with landscapes. One big difference with negative film is that the quality of slide film goes down much faster with increasing speed.

[jeff_drew3]

The above are good ideas. You may want to find threads by John Clark in photo.net. As a native of Scotland and avid photographer, he could offer some topical info.

[john_macpherson]

I live in the Highlands. You can be lucky and have blue skies and snow

or unlucky and have to use a tripod for exposures of 1 week @ f2.8.

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Assuming sunshine and snow - the simplest way to guarantee decent

results on slide film is to base your exposure on a spot reading from

the shadowed area of the snowy scene. A half stop bracket either side

will give a set of nice results.

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On dull days Velvia or any other of the saturated films can give

superb results. An 81A or B warm up can help.

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Look out for rainbows and wild light - dark skies and silver shafts

over sparkling water. Or not! There are days when you will not need

an 18% grey card - just use the sky.

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Be aware that although we are a small country distances can be

considerable, no public transport in many rural places; possible

snowdrifts; some public toilets and also some hotels lock up in the

winter; and the non-stop rain can be depressing. Take WARM clothes and

waterproof boots. An umbrella is handy for landscape photography.

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Plus side is the people are friendly, the cities are interesting, and

the risk of crime outside the cities is virtually non-existent.

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In midwinter it gets dark at 3.00pm and the sun doesn't rise until

after 9.30am. We are 56+ degrees North, which is on the same latitude

as Hudson Bay and Kodiak Island.

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There are several threads on Scotland in Photonut - just do a search.

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