What a lovely part of the world Gill, please keep us informed of next year's workshop details, I'm always on the lookout for an excuse to travel and learn.
An excellent blog Gill, with much that I agree with and can relate to, that pretty much sums up why I love living on and photographing the Peninsula. I think your words “Compositions are everywhere but you have to work at them” sums things up perfectly, especially why I never photograph anywhere else.
Thank you very much for your comments Steven, I am glad you enjoyed the blog.
I can understand why you love photographing the peninsula, it is such a stunning part of the world. I also think that when we photograph our local area we have much more to say. I think that is why I find photographing Suffolk so satisfying. As a landscape it is nowhere near as spectacular or interesting as Ardnamurchan but it is a landscape I know and understand and as a result I feel I can produce my best work here. I still love traveling to other locations as well - I find a bit of variety is good for my creativity. 🙂
It’s an amazing place for sure Gill and one that I’ve barely scratched the surface of, so I guess that’s why I don’t feel the need to go elsewhere for inspiration. I’m very lucky to be in this position, I think. I do get creative blocks now and then but have found that setting myself regular projects helps me avoid them. Something I’ve learned over the last year or so since I adopted a project approach. Your work of your local area is stunning and feels really connected to the place, so I completely understand why you find it to be so satisfying. Here’s to local story telling. 👍
Gill, you have just bumped Scotland a little higher up my bucket list. Beautiful images but not helpful (the leader's board is getting crowded at the top!). Like you, I have no interest in photographing the much photographed compositions. I am much more interested in working to get to less visited locations (for the images and the experience) and the challenge of finding new compositions.
This is such a fascinating landscape Gill! I love the atmosphere of clouds and mist. Your photos are stunning!
I've visited a few iconic locations. My recent trip to Mt LeConte was one. Occasionally I am glad to see it and photograph it, but I'm not likely to return. I think, like you, I am more drawn to the less explored and less visited areas.
I'm just now getting to the point that I am very happy with some of the images I create. I suppose some of my blog posts contain a sort of collection of images, but I haven't really ever planned them with that in mind. I guess I'm looking for a direction of what to do with my photos now. I'm happy to share them in Substack, but I am hoping to also find something more... tangible. I'm looking forward to reading more of your upcoming thoughts and views. They are always incredibly helpful. Thanks, Gill!
Thank you very much Erik for your kind comments and I am glad you are enjoying the posts.
I think as we grow as photographers we tend to look for different ways to express ourselves and different directions to take our work. I have been enjoying your adventures and look forward to seeing how your work progresses.
I think it's worth doing the prep before going somewhere, and arguably if it's an iconic location then you know someone's already done the prep! A friend was telling me about a holiday they saw in South America that was geared around 20+ well known Instagram locations. Can't think of anything worse. Go with someone who's been to a place before, by all means, but what's the pleasure in just reproducing someone else's picture you've seen online?
Thank you very much for your comments Mark. I tend to agree with you - a tour of 20+ iconic instagram locations sounds awful and definitely wouldn't be for me. 🙂
Not quite a barren fortnight, but I certainly missed my Monday morning fix! Really pleased that you had a successful time in Scotland, going from the East to the West! Really nice images, landscape and detail. For my college course a couple of years ago, I chose Southwold Pier for a 'time and place' study, initially scouting the well known 'icon' and then shooting it both at sunrise and sunset. Not only did I present the images as part of my course portfolio, but also produced a photo book as a personal record. What I now realise is that for the actual project I only really shot the pier from both sides, though as project perhaps I missed detail shots that might have told a different and perhaps more complex story? I was relatively pleased with my results at the time, but would perhaps approach the idea differently now!
As usual your blogs inspire and ask questions, which are greatly appreciated!😀
Thank you very much for your comments Chris and I am glad you enjoyed the images.
I think we would all approach projects differently if we had time to do them again and because of this I find them a great learning experience. Perhaps you should have another go at the pier and see what you come up with for part 2?
A beautiful set of images from Scotland Gill, I love that subset of lichens, raindrops and submerged.
I think sometimes it takes a trip away from our familiar surroundings to have those inspiring, light bulb moments on how to take our photography forward. I think project photography is the way forward for me, it helps to keep me focussed...although recently a local project I've been working on since the pandemic has come to a dead halt as I rethink how and what I want to portray from the area. Once I've thought that through I might finally start sharing some of the work on Substack!
Thank you very much for your comments Lin. I agree, ideas always come when I am away on trips. Just getting time to be still and think is so valuable. I hope you find a way forward with your project and I look forward to seeing some of your work when you do.
Thank you very much for your comments Jane. I think our approach to photography changes as we develop and if it didn't I guess we wouldn't be growing as photographers. Looking back at our work is always interesting and is a great way to see how far we have come. 🙂
Thanks Gill for your thoughtful and inspiring prose -I have come back from a couple of different workshops led in two different styles in the Lake District and along Beachy Head -both leaders know their areas really well and both recognised the need to allow the participants to shoot the “honeypot” shot to get it out of our system but also to make sure we captured it well -that done ,the leaders left us time to roam the area for an hour or two at a time occasionally inspiring us with different ideas and perspectives -occasionally though in the Lake District we were queuing up with other photography workshop groups to get “the shot” ,a common thing now in Slovenia and Lake Bled I believe -the single shot is what Instagram and social media is about but projects need time and space and a different medium to give them life and meaning … look forward to seeing more project work Gill
Thank you very much for your comments Len. It is interesting to read about your workshop experiences in well photographed places and I understand the desire to get the honeypot shots, although the idea of queuing doesn't appeal. I don't think there is anything wrong with this approach, it just isn't for me anymore. Hopefully I will be able to go a bit deeper with some less busy landscapes. 🙂
What a lovely part of the world Gill, please keep us informed of next year's workshop details, I'm always on the lookout for an excuse to travel and learn.
Thank you for your comments Ross. It is a lovely part of the world and well worth a visit. If you want to find out more next years workshops details are here https://www.landscapephotographytuition.co.uk/product/autumn-in-ardnamurchan-6-day-workshop-oct-2025
An excellent blog Gill, with much that I agree with and can relate to, that pretty much sums up why I love living on and photographing the Peninsula. I think your words “Compositions are everywhere but you have to work at them” sums things up perfectly, especially why I never photograph anywhere else.
Thank you very much for your comments Steven, I am glad you enjoyed the blog.
I can understand why you love photographing the peninsula, it is such a stunning part of the world. I also think that when we photograph our local area we have much more to say. I think that is why I find photographing Suffolk so satisfying. As a landscape it is nowhere near as spectacular or interesting as Ardnamurchan but it is a landscape I know and understand and as a result I feel I can produce my best work here. I still love traveling to other locations as well - I find a bit of variety is good for my creativity. 🙂
It’s an amazing place for sure Gill and one that I’ve barely scratched the surface of, so I guess that’s why I don’t feel the need to go elsewhere for inspiration. I’m very lucky to be in this position, I think. I do get creative blocks now and then but have found that setting myself regular projects helps me avoid them. Something I’ve learned over the last year or so since I adopted a project approach. Your work of your local area is stunning and feels really connected to the place, so I completely understand why you find it to be so satisfying. Here’s to local story telling. 👍
Gill, you have just bumped Scotland a little higher up my bucket list. Beautiful images but not helpful (the leader's board is getting crowded at the top!). Like you, I have no interest in photographing the much photographed compositions. I am much more interested in working to get to less visited locations (for the images and the experience) and the challenge of finding new compositions.
Thank you very much for your comments James. I am glad you enjoyed the images - I hope you get to visit Scotland one day, you won't be disappointed. 🙂
This is such a fascinating landscape Gill! I love the atmosphere of clouds and mist. Your photos are stunning!
I've visited a few iconic locations. My recent trip to Mt LeConte was one. Occasionally I am glad to see it and photograph it, but I'm not likely to return. I think, like you, I am more drawn to the less explored and less visited areas.
I'm just now getting to the point that I am very happy with some of the images I create. I suppose some of my blog posts contain a sort of collection of images, but I haven't really ever planned them with that in mind. I guess I'm looking for a direction of what to do with my photos now. I'm happy to share them in Substack, but I am hoping to also find something more... tangible. I'm looking forward to reading more of your upcoming thoughts and views. They are always incredibly helpful. Thanks, Gill!
Thank you very much Erik for your kind comments and I am glad you are enjoying the posts.
I think as we grow as photographers we tend to look for different ways to express ourselves and different directions to take our work. I have been enjoying your adventures and look forward to seeing how your work progresses.
I think it's worth doing the prep before going somewhere, and arguably if it's an iconic location then you know someone's already done the prep! A friend was telling me about a holiday they saw in South America that was geared around 20+ well known Instagram locations. Can't think of anything worse. Go with someone who's been to a place before, by all means, but what's the pleasure in just reproducing someone else's picture you've seen online?
Thank you very much for your comments Mark. I tend to agree with you - a tour of 20+ iconic instagram locations sounds awful and definitely wouldn't be for me. 🙂
Fantastic image Gill, and I'd really love to be able to go there to create my own iconic images but sadly my finances prevent this from happening.
Thank you Ian. It is a fabulous part of the world and I hope you manage to get there one day.
Lovely to have your blog back, Gill. A great set of photos which just go to show you don’t need perfect weather conditions to produce great results.
Thank you very much Sian. I think I prefer the bad weather - there are so many possibilities and it never stays the same for long.
Not quite a barren fortnight, but I certainly missed my Monday morning fix! Really pleased that you had a successful time in Scotland, going from the East to the West! Really nice images, landscape and detail. For my college course a couple of years ago, I chose Southwold Pier for a 'time and place' study, initially scouting the well known 'icon' and then shooting it both at sunrise and sunset. Not only did I present the images as part of my course portfolio, but also produced a photo book as a personal record. What I now realise is that for the actual project I only really shot the pier from both sides, though as project perhaps I missed detail shots that might have told a different and perhaps more complex story? I was relatively pleased with my results at the time, but would perhaps approach the idea differently now!
As usual your blogs inspire and ask questions, which are greatly appreciated!😀
Thank you very much for your comments Chris and I am glad you enjoyed the images.
I think we would all approach projects differently if we had time to do them again and because of this I find them a great learning experience. Perhaps you should have another go at the pier and see what you come up with for part 2?
Thank you for these lovely images and words this morning that brightened my morning
Thank you very much Nicola, I am glad you enjoyed them. 🙂
Welcome back, lovely images as always
Thank you very much Richard, I am glad you enjoyed them. 🙂
Such a beautiful series of images!
Thank you very much Alanna, I am glad you enjoyed them.
So, so beautiful - elements and entirity.
Thank you so much for your comments John, I am glad you enjoyed it.
Great images, scenery is beautiful
Thank you very much Maria, I am glad you enjoyed the images.
A beautiful set of images from Scotland Gill, I love that subset of lichens, raindrops and submerged.
I think sometimes it takes a trip away from our familiar surroundings to have those inspiring, light bulb moments on how to take our photography forward. I think project photography is the way forward for me, it helps to keep me focussed...although recently a local project I've been working on since the pandemic has come to a dead halt as I rethink how and what I want to portray from the area. Once I've thought that through I might finally start sharing some of the work on Substack!
Thank you very much for your comments Lin. I agree, ideas always come when I am away on trips. Just getting time to be still and think is so valuable. I hope you find a way forward with your project and I look forward to seeing some of your work when you do.
Good to have you back and see the beautiful images you have made over the past few weeks.
The type of images I want to make has also changed over time (progress, I hope!). I hadn't really
noticed until I began going through several years' worth to put together a website gallery.
I tried to photograph those little lichens in the New Forest a couple of weeks ago. Not easy.
Thank you very much for your comments Jane. I think our approach to photography changes as we develop and if it didn't I guess we wouldn't be growing as photographers. Looking back at our work is always interesting and is a great way to see how far we have come. 🙂
Thanks Gill for your thoughtful and inspiring prose -I have come back from a couple of different workshops led in two different styles in the Lake District and along Beachy Head -both leaders know their areas really well and both recognised the need to allow the participants to shoot the “honeypot” shot to get it out of our system but also to make sure we captured it well -that done ,the leaders left us time to roam the area for an hour or two at a time occasionally inspiring us with different ideas and perspectives -occasionally though in the Lake District we were queuing up with other photography workshop groups to get “the shot” ,a common thing now in Slovenia and Lake Bled I believe -the single shot is what Instagram and social media is about but projects need time and space and a different medium to give them life and meaning … look forward to seeing more project work Gill
Thank you very much for your comments Len. It is interesting to read about your workshop experiences in well photographed places and I understand the desire to get the honeypot shots, although the idea of queuing doesn't appeal. I don't think there is anything wrong with this approach, it just isn't for me anymore. Hopefully I will be able to go a bit deeper with some less busy landscapes. 🙂