Here’s a selection of images from the Alloa Half Marathon this year! (2023)
Well done to everyone involved!
(click to enlarge)
Alloa Half Marathon (2023)
That time of year again!
As a bit of a catchup, it has certainly been a fairly busy last few months. From visiting this years photography show to travelling to the Lake District. I also managed to squeeze in a trip to the Highlands.
To start with, this years Photography show in Birmingham was great. I got to try out some of the latest gear and meet some famous photographers. I also managed to pick up a new Benro GH5C gimbal head to try out. Be rude not to buy something at the show right? It seems solid so hopefully I’ll be able to give it a go in the field soon. I’d highly recommend any of the Benro gear. If anyone has any tips, do let me know!
The opening of the Photography show in Birmingham
Benro GH5C
After a family holiday to the Lake District, I travelled up to Glen Affric for a few nights before heading down through Glencoe to see how the old favourite compositions were looking. It never hurts to try the old classics to see what you can catch. The below image is a pano taken on my iPhone of the river walk through Glen Affric. I feel that the right conditions here could make for a really great image! Definitely worth a return! Im sure many of you will recognise the view from Glencoe! Being such a popular location, it even now has a natural seat which has formed! What more can you ask for?
An old time classic in Glencoe
Well, Back to some editing I guess and a bit of practice with the new versions of LRC and PS. I’m looking forward to the new year also and getting back to the Islands. I’ll be taking a good friend with me this time so we should come back with some great images and memories! Fingers crossed!
Until next time,
Take care,
Stewart
DJI Mavic Mini 3 Pro!
It’s Here
First Impressions
I was lucky enough to get my hands on the very sought after Mini 3 Pro.
First off all, The drones I’ve used for the aerial photos here on my site are the original Mavic Air and the Phantom 4. I was never a huge fan of the images for editing from the Air as the dynamic range wasn’t the best. Now however, the Mini 3 Pro seems to be, a game changer.
As you can imagine, its very easy to carry around and upon first take off, also very quiet. Coming from the older drones, I’ll have to spend a little time getting used to the new fly app but it does seem a very well laid out UI.
Hardware wise, the new controller has been excellent. Very comfortable to hold in the hand without the need to worry about your phone. We’ve all been there, out flying when the phone rings! The screen is very bright and easy to see on sunny days. The sticks and buttons all feel great making it a very easy drone to control. Moving onto the drone itself, being so amazingly light, it still feels very strong and well built. From its first flight, its incredibly stable in the air and the video quality being sent back to the controller is incredible.
The new camera and gimbal design also work to produce great images. I’ve only managed a handful of quick images from my local area due to the weather but compared to my old Air, the quality difference is massive. The DNG files contain a good level of dynamic range which allows for a much improved editing experience. I’m also interested in seeing the differences (if any) between the 12 and 48MP modes. With the added benefits of the latest firmware update providing many more shooting modes, you really are onto a winner!
Aerial view of Tillicoultry shot on the Mini 3 PRO
I can’t wait to get out and about with it to really try all its features. If only this rain would give up!
New Workshop! (Closed)
Join me for a night of landscape photography and learn to take your images to the next level! Whether you are completely new to photography or looking for different ideas, everyone is welcome! Bring along your own camera, longest lens and tripod (if you have them) and learn how I compose my images of the Wallace Monument before trying your hand at creating your own! Book a place below and I’ll look forward to seeing you there!
See you there!
Lewis & Harris
Well it certainly has been a while since Ive had a decent time away. As you may well know from my Facebook page, this trip to the islands was planned for initially on the week that Scotland was locked down due to the pandemic. Although things still wouldn’t be classed as fully back to normal, It’s great to be able to get back out and about. After staying on the island for just under a week, I tried to visit as many locations as I could, occasionally stopping off at a few places whilst on route. The weather was probably the best you could ask for when it comes to photography, as every 15 minutes you had something different. Some locations were a little more challenging, especially Luskentyre Beach on Harris. I did manage one image which I should hopefully have finalised shortly, however, the strong winds blowing the sand up through the air was a little too much. I loved my time here visiting the beaches and finally getting to visit the Callanish Stones. Definitely one to tick off the list. I will be back!
Elgol, Skye
After the travel restrictions had been lifted, I knew I had to get back out there for a few days away. Always being a huge fan of photographing Skye, it certinaly was on top of my list. I decided to get one of the kids out and about also to experience the island for the first time. Sadly the weather was a bit against us and I was quite limited as to where we could go. After hoping to get a few shots off the famous Neist Point lighthouse, the wind and rain had other ideas. I did get one shot that may work as a black and white so keep an eye out for that post. As the winds up on the west of the island were so strong I decided to head down to a favourite of mine, Elgol. The main advantage here was that the winds were (slightly) calmer but it also gives a great view to wake up to in the morning. Before we got off to sleep, I decided to head down to the beach in hope that the clouds would part and give a little light to end the day. I was lucky enough to get fifteen minutes where, as you’ll see in the shots below, the sun managed to pop through giving beautiful sun rays for the first image whilst lighting the rock face for the second. Not long after these the rain forced a retreat back to the car. I was pleased with how both turned out and have the lower image available as a print here. I look forward to the next adventure!
White Sunset
This one wasn’t the original planned photo that I had in mind when heading through the hills, however, it turned out a little better than I expected. Sadly the sunset never really peaked to light up the full valley that I still think would produce a great image. Ah well, there’s always next time. I also have to thank the person at the top of the hill. They really do add a bit of perspective to the image. Im happy overall leaving with a decent image and not just frozen fingers. Hope you like it. Sony A7iii, 70-200GM 2.8, 135mm, 1/30s, f11, ISO100
Devon Mist
When you see that there is going to be an early morning mist, you really have to get out there. I had originally planned to shoot at a nearby location to this, however the mist wasn’t as thick as forecast. After trying a few different compositions, the images were nothing special. I had decided to call it a day and head back along the path home. It wasn’t until I looked back behind me that I seen the mist was forming over the river. I was finally rewarded with a very calming and relaxing image that almost appears like a watercolour which looks great in print.
A New Chapter
A New chapter
A huge welcome and thank you for visiting and supporting me with my new website. I have been working hard on the new design and content and hope that everything is working well. Im also delighted to be able to now offer premium prints of my photos available to buy directly from my site. The images are printed on Hahnemuhle Fineart paper. I already have some myself and I’m so pleased as to how my photos look when in print and hung on the wall.