Dunottar Castle

Gallery: Man & NaturePosted September 29, 20042,856 views12 comments

Dunottar Castle is not the best known castle in Scotland but in my opinion it si the castle that is most dramatically sited. It is a few miles South of Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire. This is arguably my favourite shot of it. Magnificent storm light flickered across the ramparts and the cliffs before it weakened and the heavens opened. Transient light indeed.

Please have a look at <a href="http://www.transientlight.co.uk" target="_blank">my website</a> and at <a href="http://www.timecatcher.com" target="_blank">Timecatcher</a> for some recent additions.

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Juza on September 29, 2004 at 2:11 PM

Hi Ian,
spectacular image! The overcast sky fabolous and the castel contributes to the mood.
The only improvement IMO would be a bit more detail in the shadow area, maybe you could try blended exposures.

BTW : I looked your website - congratulations! Beautiful photos

Registered on November 1, 2003, 374 Posts, 10466 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Handley on September 29, 2004 at 2:34 PM

I really like how the brightest part of the sky is right behind the towers. It helps the create a strong silhouette. Beautiful detail. And yes, I too would like to see more detail in the shadow.

Michael

Registered on April 1, 2004, 38 Posts, 1301 Comments

Comment posted by Nathan Buck on September 29, 2004 at 3:27 PM

Ian:

Excellent depth and beautiful light here. Nice one. I love that sky.

Nathan

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1101 Posts, 13589 Comments

Comment posted by Geoff Shapiro on September 29, 2004 at 3:56 PM

Ian, I would think that the Scottish travel and tourism bureaus would be all over you for some of these pictures!

Fantastic scene! I love the light, the clouds, the cliffs and of course the castle!

Registered on July 29, 2004, 73 Posts, 433 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Veitch on September 29, 2004 at 4:13 PM

Fantastic, great clouds, great lighting. Really captures a nice mood with the soft lighting

Registered on September 2, 2004, 20 Posts, 58 Comments

Comment posted by beth summer on September 29, 2004 at 4:34 PM

The shadows really don't bother because the eye is focused, almost raptured, to the castle and the clouds above and the sheer cliffs. The FG grasses lead straight into the image and the shadows are just a sign of the ominous sky and the overpowering feeling going on in the BG. WOW....I must go to Scotland someday. Such awesome scenery

Registered on November 1, 2003, 437 Posts, 5220 Comments

Comment posted by Kenneth Kijewski on September 29, 2004 at 5:28 PM

Beautiful composition!
Scotland is a beautiful country..I was there about 4 years ago. I want to go back again soon.

Excellent lighting to boot!

Registered on February 17, 2004, 166 Posts, 3390 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Sutherland on September 30, 2004 at 7:30 AM

Dunottar is one of my favorite castles in Scotland, and this is an absolutely fantastic capture of the scene, probably one of the best I have seen. The high level of contrast make this for me, that and the lighting - you must be a very lucky man! Everytime I go out with the camera in Scotland the clouds come down and the rain starts ;-)

Registered on September 1, 2004, 50 Posts, 111 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Snyder on September 30, 2004 at 3:42 PM

I could see this as a 30" x 40" framed picture at the end of a hall. I really like the compostion and color, but have to agree that more detail in the shadows would probably improve the image.

Registered on August 3, 2004, 58 Posts, 874 Comments

Comment posted by Prashant Khapane on October 1, 2004 at 4:35 AM

This is excellent! I infact liked the shadow very much..it somehow enhances the composition and the importance of 'transient' light. Very dramatic.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 492 Posts, 4580 Comments

Comment posted by William Vrolyk on October 3, 2004 at 5:55 PM

Ian, the light and the view of the castle on the edge of the cliff is fantastic. The sunlit slopes and the dark clouds make for a dramatic effect.

Will
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada

Registered on November 1, 2003, 278 Posts, 3524 Comments

Comment posted by Paula Graham on October 23, 2004 at 7:09 AM

Superb shot with stunning light.
I visited your website and .......wished there were more of your gorgeous images on it!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 34 Posts, 902 Comments