Highland-Rush_(Click for larger view)

Just back from a week in Scotland and I enjoyed every minute!

It posed some challenges as there was no autumn colour and the

snow I envisaged just didn't materialise. So I had to think of other

ways to try and capture the wild beauty of this magnificent place and

water (as usual) played a major role. This as taken perched on a

rock from a POV I hadn't previously considered Your thoughts and

comments are always appreciated! Thank You.

Well done Alf, the waters rushing at our feet capturing incredible movement. The fog cover mountains are well done with good color saturation.

Well count me among those who will like this. The pov is more than interesting Alf, it shows us those mountains and sky in a unique way. Well composed as always. Take care.

Best Always, Holger

Alf, I like this a lot.  Fast-moving water, slow shutter speed, great POV, and fog shrouded mountains. Congratulations on a great shot.  

Beautiful image, interesting POV and shutter speed. The presence of the house is a bonus which helps the eye to navigate all around the picture. Well done!

Regards,

Alain

This is super, Alf!  Excellent shutter speed in the water.  Holds my interest to view every detail.  And so, of course, I see spots in the sky (one in the clouds by the blue sky, one near the edge of the frame above, and a hair-like one at one o'clock from the first spot) and a bit of green fringing where the mountain meets the sky along the right.  All stuff that can easily be fixed.  This is really nice to look at for a long time.  Is this a single capture?  Regards, Jeff 

Alf -- Agree with Jeff.  I'm not a great fan of creamy water exposures, but as usual, you have hit it "Dead Solid Perfect" as they say in some Golf circles, with the water, retaining the character but depicting the motion.  The rest, just your customary excellent image. Best, Sandy

Alf,

the POV is certainly well chosen. Normally, we don't like slow shutter speeds "smoothing " out moving water- here, however, A- you had no choice, cldy, low light, f 18 to catch dof- B- it is not so veil like so that we still get the feel of the rushing water- really well done- many elements here could be used as a lesson in landscape photography.

Well, most has been said and I concur.  I like the dynamic range that goes from blue sky to dark rocks and all are perfectly presented, along with the moving water.  A super image... Mike

A fabulous, stunning, Highlands photograph!  

Clicking on the photo - to enable the enlarged view - shows so much more than at first is seen here.  The white water rush is truly awesome and grabs attention immediately.  Following the course of the river upstream there is an interesting bridge, - a railway bridge I'm guessing, the details of which can't be seen on the smaller photo because it blends in so perfectly with its surroundings.   At the bridge, my eyes are drawn upwards to the beautiful formations and colours of the clouds, which are parting to allow a privileged peek at an incredibly blue sky and the most amazing surf-like clouds rolling over the tops and down the sides of the mountains.

What a glorious scene and an exceptional piece of work.  Your many skills and patience certainly work with Nature, Alf, to enable a landscape photograph to come to life for the viewer.

This is excellent. Especially the camera location. The water in the foreground makes a nice contrast to the sharp background.

Alf..

It's all been said but to repeat this a top photograph.

The low camera position and the inclusion of the scale defining building are great.

GC.

Alf,

  Wow....amazing powerful scene with stunning colors, details & you can almost hear the roar of the water.  Excellent image!!  Take care, Patsy

I'm just mesmerized by the foreground water flow - gives a feeling of actually being in the scene.  It took a bit fro my eyes to travel back and enjoy the rest of the image.

Well done Alf,

David

very beautiful landscape and river shot

Lovely landscape as usual, Alf.  Love the rushing water with just the right amount of blur IMO.  May I ask what shutter speed you used?  Perfectly composed and exposed.  Another "winner".

Cheers...

Jerry

Many Thanks for your interest and kind words!  The usual view over the lake was not an option as it was quite breezy . So I found a new vantage point and I'm pleased I did.

Best Regards

Alf

HOLGER

Thank you so much!

It's always most gratifying when you try something new and it works!  In this case it was just a new viewing point, but it made a big difference.

Best Regards

Alf

BILL

The light and conditions were constantly changing, and the fog shrouded mountains were a bonus! 

Very pleased you liked it Bill!

Sincere Thanks!

Alf

ALAIN

I usually go for a shot of the house reflected in the lake which is situated just beyond the bridge, but the breeze ruled that one out and I was forced to look for an alternative. I am glad I did now :)

Many Thanks

Alf

JEFF

I really should employ you as my editor!  :)

Many Thanks for your thoughts and kind words!

It was a single exposure and just processed in Lightroom and CS6

Kind Regards

Alf

SANDY

I tend to agree.  I don't like exposures that turn waterfalls into that mushy white stuff, it loses something of the movement and vibrancy. I'm also not a great fan of freezing the water totally (unless it's an action type shot)  I try to match the shutter speed with the water speed in order to get a sense of movement along with some textures. I find the best way is to start with F/8 and then reduce the aperture and / or  ISO until the desired shutter speed is reached. 

Sincere Thanks for your thoughts and kind words!

Best Regards

Alf

GREG

I am in complete agreement! I don't like very extreme "smoothing" effect either.

I could probably achieve a decent DOF from F / 8 and smaller, it's just a case of matching the shutter speed to the water speed.

Many Thanks for your thoughts and positive feedback!

Alf

MIKE

And not a duck in sight :)

We did see a couple of Golden Eagles earlier in the week though!  Oh and some shots of wild Red Deer which I will be posting soon!

Many Thanks Mike!

Alf

SANS

The Highlands of Scotland offer a different photograph with almost every turn of ones head.  The light changes by the second and the scenery can be transformed from dark and brooding to bright and fresh within the same time period!

The bridge you refer to is a wooden structure which is able to take a car, to access the little white farm on the right.  And further to the right (out of the shot) is a waterfall.  I could spend hours there, in fact I did :)

It's most gratifying to read that you enjoyed viewing the image and thank you so much for your encouraging feedback!

Alf

EYSTEIN

The location was a bit precarious, perched on a rock that jutted out into the turbulent river!  But worth it to get something different.

Sincere Thanks

Alf

GERALD

Many Thanks for your thoughts and kind words!

 I'm pleased you liked the inclusion of the farmhouse, I always think it's nice to see a tiny bit of human presence amongst the magnificence of nature.

Alf

JORGE

Thank you so much for your interest and positive feedback!

Warm Regards

Alf

PATSY

Glad you like it :)

I was spoiled for choice in Scotland,  I didn't know which way to point the camera next!

Many Thanks & Best Regards

Alf

DAVID

I know just what you mean! It was a bit like that just viewing the scene, fortunately I remembered to click the button on the camera :)

Sincere Thanks David!

Alf

MEHMET

Thank you so much I usually find the composition for river shots quite tricky, but this one came together easier than most!

Alf

JERRY

Many Thanks! 

I like a bit of blur, but not so much that it obliterates every shred of movement and texture. 

In this case I used a shutter speed of 1/5th of a second. But it is important to remember that there is no single formulae for moving water, as of course, water moves at different speeds. Even the same venue will differ depending on rain fall etc.

So I start with a relatively fast shutter speed using something like F/8 then reduce the aperture and / or ISO until the desired speed is reached.  Sometimes I will use a filter, but I do try to avoid that.

Cheers!

Alf

Alf,  Wonderful photograph! full of so many subtle details.  Really work of Art!

Many Thanks!  It's very gratifying when circumstances dictate that you do something different and it still works out ok  :)

Best Regards

Alf

A very powerful image Alf.  That water rushing towards the viewer catches my attentions right away. Then my eye travels to the excellent detail in the shoreline and mountains. Super to see that fog creeping down the mountain on the left.  Good to know you just didn't give up - of course I KNOW you would NEVER do that - somehow you would fine images of interest. Nice work, always a pleasure to view.

Thank you so much!

Scotland is one of those places, that no matter how bad the weather appears to be, the wild beauty still manages to show through.  I just wish it was a bit closer to home :)

Best Regards

Alf

Yes, if it were closer to home - I don't know that you would be 'home' much!!!  Your love of Scotland I'm sure when you retire will have you returning quite often!

To me, especially in this instance, the long exposure's resulting in smoothing out the water is a big plus.  For openers, there is plenty of detailed, sharp landscape along this stream's banks to provide significant contrast with the water's dreamy appearance. Secondly, I feel like I had to use not only my eyes but also a sense of empathy to enable me to experience secondhand what you experienced when you first set your eyes on this scene.  The smooth water does not diminish for me whatsoever being able to "sense" its awesome power - to chisel rock, to go through (around, under, over, etc.) rock, to carry soil as it moves downhill, and to provide an excellent subject for a photograph.

Also, another strong point of the image as already has been mentioned is the sky. One specific not previously mentioned is how the blue/turquoise sky is peeking through the clouds and fog.  Finally, I love how you captured the rock start in the mountains; the alternating light and dark areas are breathtaking.

My best always,

michael

You are right! I would move there tomorrow! But my wife likes to kep close to family. When I eventually retire I do hope to spend more time there! :)

Alf

MICHAEL

As I am sure you are aware, there are different variations of long exposures and with moving water I think it's important to try and capture the essence of movement without destroying the fibre and force of the water itself.  So it is most gratifying to read that you can sense the power of the water.

I have photographed this location on a number of occasions, but never from this angle. What are often seen initially as poor conditions (in this instance the wind that prevented any reflection images in the lake which is just out of view beyond the bridge) can sometimes prove to be circumstances that force us to adapt and think about the possibilities a bit more.

Sincere Thanks & Best Regards Michael!

Alf