Eileen-Donan-Castle (Click for Larger view)

Many Thanks for your well considered thoughts and feedback, much appreciated. 

My PP Skills are a long way from equalling yours, and so I do try and minimize processing where possible. In this case though I did more than usual, with converting the image to B & W making adjustments to the RBG channels and selectively lifting the shadows slightly on the castle itself. 

May I take this opportunity to thank you for all your support and great advice and wish you all the best for 2016! 

Alf 

good BW

Many Thanks for your visit and kind words! 

Best Regards 

Alf 

Love this shot, Alf.  I have recently been spending some time improving my mono work so this gives me inspiration.  Great composition and detail as always.  The sun gives just the right amount of light to make this really work.

Cheers...

Thank you for your interest and thoughtful feedback. As I have already given you the info regarding processing this one I won't repeat myself. But the software "Nik Silver Efex Pro-2" is a really good choice for B & W processing. 

Cheers! 

Alf 

I am really impressed by this capture. The moody sky that you have been searching for has really added to the 'mood' of the Castle. Because of the Castle's location, it does seem like such a remote location. I can't help but thinks of times during History when perhaps this castle saw dark and violent times. Your Scotland visit gave you a BONUS with this shot!

Thank you so much! 

You are right it was indeed a bonus, particularly as I was on the way home after a week of rain and wind!  I have visited this place before but only encountered blue sky's which really doesn't suit the austere looking building, this time I go t lucky : - ) 

Best Regards 

Alf 

If you have photographed this before in sunshine & fair weather I'll bet this shot is your favourite.  I think the dark ominous skies are more fitting for this location than sunny weather.  In my mind this one more accurately depicts the cold & damp conditions the original castle occupants must have endured.  Compositionally, it's great!  The bright patch of cloud on the left suggests hope that the sun may indeed be about to make a breakthrough. Would have been interesting to see the sun actually spotlighting the castle, but no deal breaker.  Superb shot on it's own.  You are lucky to live with such scenic surroundings.  Your work provides inspiration to many here on PN. Looking forward to your latest.  Best, Len.

You are quite right, this is indeed my favourite. The dark moody atmosphere adds a timeless kind of beauty all of it's own, and yes that kind of medieval element that looks so becoming for this castle. 

I think if the sun did show itself it would have presented itself against the dark sky's and I imagine the contrasts would have been that much more difficult to control. Typically in similar situations I blow the highlights, so maybe it wasn't a bad thing that it remained behind the cloud. 

Yes you are right again I am most fortunate to live on this tiny island called The United Kingdom with such amazing and diverse scenery.

Sincere Thanks for your thoughtful feedback Len, very much appreciated! 

Best Regards 

Alf 

Like yourself Alf I have the typical blue sky images of the castle but yours is much more interesting, very well done.

I will be up that way in March again and will try the same.

Many Thanks  for your interest and kind words.

Sometime you just have to keep coming back to places until you get the right conditions.

I remember travelling to Buttermere a total of 8 times before I finally nailed it! 

Good Luck in March! 

Best Regards 

Alf 

A really great moody picture. I can't see what I might do to change this, aside from perhaps some cropping to focus more on the subject, creating a bit more of a panoramic view. 

Having said that, you have used the skies and foreground to frame the subject, so it works very well as is it. 

Many Thanks for your interest and thoughtful feedback, much appreciated!

I sometimes debate whether to fill the frame more with the subject or leave it within the natural  surroundings. But in this case I think the sombre sky and foreground add to the mood as you have said.

Best Regards

Alf