Eilean Donan Castle

Historically, this castle, has had a rather chequered past. Originally built in 1220 by

Alexander II as a defence against the Vikings, it subsequently became a stronghold of the

Mackenzies of Kintail (later the Earls of Seaforth) who installed the MacRaes as hereditory

keepers. Then in 1719, it was destroyed whilst acting as a garrison for Spanish troops

fighting for the Jacobite cause on behalf of the 5th Earl of Seaforth. Restoration work was

only started two hundred years later and not completed until 1932.

I thought about Black & White for this image, and post an example here for comparison. In the end, I thought that the dull greens and browns of this colour version highlight the poor Scottish weather, and add mood to my composition.

 

...but what do you think?

 

Any comments or suggestions would be welcome.

 

Regards, Nick.

I have also posted a sepia version of this image for comparison and critique. I think that unlike the B&W version above, the sepia toning improves upon the colour image, creating a timeless quality.

 

Please let me know what you think of the sepia version.

 

Fond regards, Nick.

Hello Nick,

This reminds me of driving from Aberdeen to Maidenhead. The rain gave out in South Staffordshire. Every here and there were the ruins of castles, half seen through the rain.

 

Possibly, the sepia might be considered a better "photograph", but look at the verdant bank beneath the castle. Only one thing produces such a lush green, lots of rain.

 

So for me, the colour tells me more about the nature of the subject and that's something I value. The sepia is fractionally more easy on the eye.

 

Regards. Pete

Thanks Pete, that sounds like one hell of a drive. I once across Tazmania in one day, and vowed never to do anything so ambicious ever again.

 

I love Scotland too, and think that the weather is as important as the scenery, and as you said moulds the scenery in so many ways.

 

I still cannot decide between them. The only thing that I am sure of is that the B&W version doesn't work.

 

Fond regards, Nick.

A lovely castle from an interesting perspective. Too bad the sky didn't cooperate :)

My vote is for the color version. The softness of the color invites me, (especially the green grass which uplifts the castle), & gives me a sense of the "actual". The sepia version is an interesting & strong variation but to me feels flat & un-inviting.

I looked at all three versions many times and I have to say I like the color version much better.

 

 

It reminds me of " Wuthering heights " (sp?) in a morning. Not sure why.

 

 

Probably the washed out sky. Anyway I like it a lot and feel a connection to it.

 

 

Cheers

 

 

Misha

 

 

PS: On a technical note a little tighter crop could've complimented the bridge a lot more. It has very nice textures.

By crop I mean getting closer to the castle not an actual crop.

Nicholas, I looked at three versions of the same image. All have different kind of appeal.The winner is this one.

Nick, I like the colour and the sepia versions for different reasons. The colour because it reminds me of the soft, rain-washed colours of Scotland (I lived in Glasgow and then in Perth for a number of years) and the Sepia because of associations with those Scots pioneers of photography Hill and Adamson. So too much nostalgia for much art there!

Color is better:)

Interesting, how You bring me in the past. I wonder, what all happened there,nice a little color and how the castle looks in the open space. makes me dream.

I'd also vote for the colour version, colour is not distracting here nor does it take away from the historical feeling.

Nick, definately the color version for me. The lush greens are one of the things that makes Scotland Scotland. Actually, one of the benefits to the sky being as it is, for me, is my attention is immediatly focused on the castle, then down to the greens and the bridge then into the foreground. I like it.

Yes, the color is special, Nick. Very nice work.

Hi Nicholas!...in my opinion thise is the winner of the three options...Love the perspective and composition....Saludos.

A truly miserable scene.

Hello Porter.

 

I'm glad that you got the irony of this photograph! Clearly, like me, you have been to the west coast of Scotland in late summer!

 

Fond regards, Nick.