LOCH ERIBOL
On my return from one of my many trips to the west coast of Scotland I drove through this storm and out onto the east side of the loch. I drove into the sunlight and saw this beautiful storm coming across the loch toward me. I managed to shoot three frames before the storm was soaking me. I used a neutral density graduated filter to hold back the brightness in the sky and keep the sunbeams whilst also exposing correctly for the foreground grass. 24mm lens, 2 stop ND grad.

WINDFARM
I dont believe that windfarms are the future of power generation in the UK and I am not a big fan. I know very few who are however like many before me you can't help but take a photograph of them. They are large dynamic objects and in the flatness of the Caithness landscape they are visible from 10-20 miles away. They will have a dramatic impact on some of Scotlands most wild lands but the policy makers will never have to look at them or live nearby.

BELL HEATHER
The heather was just starting to go past its best on this rather overcast occassion. However I knew the overcast light would be perfect for this simple shot. I use a simple rule for pattern shots like this. There should be no more than 5-7 elements along the short edge of the image. Too many and the image becomes cluttered, too few and it becomes a close up - try it, it works! 28-135mm, Tripod

SCOURIE SUNSET
It had been a perfect clear day without a cloud in the sky and I was looking for a spectacular sunset. Unfortunately this is not the kind of conditions in which you get good sunsets. The best sunsets are those where there is some cloud in the sky but its clear to the west. The most vivid colours often come with the highest cloud. On this occassion I compensated for the sky by shooting mainly the foreground with my 24mm lens and a neutral density filter.