October: month in review
Each month I aim to pick an image that, in my mind at least, captures the flavour of that month. It might not be the best image from the month, or the most spectacular of subjects; it just needs to illustrate something about the month. The value for me is in the writing - it’s a tool for review and reflection. If you enjoy the words and picture, that’s a bonus!
Rogie Falls
Fujifilm X-T3 | 76mm f/11 2s ISO 160
‘Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower’. – Albert Camus’
What’s this month’s image? It’s the very lovely Rogie Falls up near Strathpeffer
Did you do anything to it? Nothing of note beyond a little tidying up. The slow shutter did all the work in creating the sense of movement in the water, while Autumn provided the colour.
What’s it doing here? October was a busy month, but the highlight was definitely the Caledonian Colour workshop run by Mc2 Photography. The workshop was excellently organised by Harry Martin, whose local knowledge and expertise provided us with some excellent locations and guidance. Food, accommodation and excellent company were provided by Warwick and Becky at East Craigdhu.
Since I stopped polluting my days with paid employment I’ve been on a handful organised workshops. One of the chief advantages of photography holidays and workshops is that they provide the participant with an opportunity to immerse themselves in photographing a subject or area. Being in the company of leaders who know the subject matter and the area cuts out much of the thrashing around trying to find the best spots, so helps makes the best of the time available.
Being in the company of photographers (not just the organisers) is also an opportunity to learn from the experience and insight of others. For those with non-photographer partners, it’s also a chance to work on your photography without being asked how much longer it’s going to take!
This particular workshop is organised with the intent of photographing the autumnal colours in and around Glen Affric, which is home to one of the remaining areas of ancient Caledonian pinewoods. It’s an area of outstanding natural beauty whose impact is only enhanced by the vibrant colours of autumn. There are landscape opportunities but, because the area is surrounded by high mountains, it’s not a classic sunrise or sunset location. This makes the mornings a tad more civilised! At this time of year there is, however, some lovely soft sidelight in the afternoons.
The workshop also provides an opportunity to explore some woodland photography. Traditionally this is a challenging genre - trying to create some sense of order from what are typically chaotic scenes. Subject isolation is term that crops up a good deal and longer lenses and wide apertures are both tools that can be used to good effect.
Hopefully the images below give a sense of both the glory of autumn in the highlands and the variety of subjects available.
Have you been up to much else? It’s been a busy month, starting with a trip to the North East at the start of the month. We haven’t spent much time on the Aberdeenshire coast, but it was well worth a visit and I’m sure that we’ll be back. It was also an opportunity to visit the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses, which was well worth the trip!
I also managed an afternoon with Chris Upton in the Peak District. The trip was postponed from last year and it was a reminder of just what an attractive area this is and one we should make more of when we’re down in Manchester. It was also great to spend time with Chris, who’s both great company and a very knowledgeable photographer.
Coming Up
November’s looking like another busy month, with trips to Cornwall and Brighton in the diary…
