Photo of the Month - January 2016

Omega

15th January 2016, Ben Ever, Ochil Hills, Clackmannanshire

The Ochil Hills are of moderate height in comparison to the Scottish Highlands.  Whilst there are no Munros or Corbetts, there are 10 summits over 2000ft (609m). The southern flanks rise very steeply above the plain of the River Forth with the south-flowing burns cutting deep ravines into the hillsides making for surprisingly challenging walking, at least until the undulating summit plateau is reached.  It is unusual for the Ochil Hills to receive much snow and when they do it tends not to last. But recent heavy snowfalls have blanketed the whole range in snow. Not the usual wet stuff either, this is soft powder snow, waist deep in places, making for slow going. Add a cold northerly wind and spin-drift is whipped into your face. I took this just below the summit of Ben Ever as the sun was setting on the horizon, the spindrift was moving down the slope and the River Forth snaked in a large meandering loop some 2000ft below.  Only 16 miles from home but when under snow it is another world.

  

Technical Info: 

Taken with a Fujifilm X-T1

Fujinon XF 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR lens @ 32.6mm

EXIF: ISO-200 / f/11 / 0.6sec

Lee filters:0.6 GND Hard
RAW File converted to TIFF in Fuji RAW converter powered by Silkypix, developed in Adobe PSE9

 

Photo of the Month: December 2015

Anchored

 

8th December 2015, St Monans, East Neuk, Fife

After checking tide tables and the weather I set off for the East Neuk.  I had planned to photograph on the beach directly below St Monans Parish Church but the tide had already receded from here so I turned my attention to the rocks of Long Shanks further west. I have looked down on these rocks many times from the Fife Coastal Path without giving them a second thought. Today, from the beach, I was looking up at a raggedy skyline.  It was as if I had found a new location. The rocks were cut with deep channels of water being fed by the sea swell even though the tide was receding. As it receded further I was able to move within the rocks to reach a small beach. With the low winter sun providing some dramatic lighting and a storm sweeping over the Firth of Forth, the scene looked very foreboding. They are moments which are too infrequent in my opinion.  I was determined to make the most of it before the storm hit but with the air full of spray the most difficult task was keeping the filters dry using a small reflector as a shield.  Eventually the rain became too heavy and I had to pack everything away and retreat to the harbour but I had enough images on the card to make the trip worthwhile.  

Technical Info: 

Taken with a Fujifilm X-T1

Fujinon XF 14mm f/2.8 R lens

EXIF: ISO-200 / f/11 / 1/10sec

Lee filters:
RAW File converted to TIFF in Fuji RAW converter powered by Silkypix, developed in Adobe PSE9

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Other images from the same afternoon: