Category: Local
This is a collection of local photography which I create around Scotland’s smallest country of Clackmannanshire and its villages.
Clackmannanshire
The county includes the towns of Alloa, Dollar, Menstrie, Alva, Kennet and others. Because of its varied geography it offers a wide range of scenes, atmospheres, and vegetation. From the flat plains of the Forth Valley bounded by the River Forth on the South which contrasts with the Ochil hills in the north. Most noteworthy is the lush Gartmorn Dam and the open fields of Kennet.
Summer storm hits Clackmannanshire
Today’s storm was very destructive. Passed by this tree, fallen in the power of natures unpredictable weather. Owner not harmed, emergency services were too busy to cut it down until later.
(Earlier on I was upset to have a willow tree fall, now not so bad)UPDATE May 26, 2011: Some more trees downed by the storm
Andrew Huggan singer: music, photography & video
Musicians are talented. They create vibrations in air which make sense to the ear and evoke emotion. How does a photographer using light capture a creator of sound ?
Andrew Huggan is a Scottish Folk singer songwriter from Clackmannanshire who wanted new promotional visuals. He didn’t want a Jonny Ive white studio look (as if lit by a thousand suns) which was my beat. After nosing around online for ideas and listening to Andrew’s thoughts, I decided we would do a ‘stop and shoot’ ((like a “stop and chat” as invented by Larry David)) in open and nature-rich settings. This gave me a choice of backdrops, perspectives, tones and lighting.
Shot on a pavement in Dollar with two strobes to give nice shadow drama During this shot (above) children walked-up to us and offered some money, wee souls. Thought we were busking!
low key high key My goal is to create interest within a rectangular shape. Outside that shape is visual trivia, but can add spice. Context matters if it affects what appears in the frame. Since we are greatly affected by our surroundings I find unusual surroundings can add that something extra. I used that here. These two shots above were taken in front of a Toilet block! The door is finished in a fantastic dimpled aluminium finish which can add gorgeous light to a shot. Here its main effect was to set the Client off-balance when told “now we’re going to shoot in front of a block of toilets”. In the first shot there is mild suspicion and doubt, perhaps even distrust and adds intensity to the expression. This worked well with bundled-up clothes and a low key (dark) tone. Even though it was in full direct sunshine. The high key shot was taken less than sixty seconds later near the same spot, and a lighter relieved expression is revealed.
I was worried the pink cherry blossom might be too ‘cheesy’, but it does work. Andrew sings often of the elements in nature like spirit, Selkies, etc
Sound from the environment Musician Photography
How dow you record visually something audible? Include the tools and the person.
You see the vibrations, the prelude to sound and music in our ears ? Live music is best!
We ended the day shooting scenes in forrest settings around Gartmorn dam.
I must thank @mrmacmusic, @MitchellDesigns and @Landscapess365 for sending Andrews Twitter appeal for a photographer my way. Social rules 😛 Oh and I knew that photographing musicians was not a path to riches thanks to Brad Trent on David Hobby’s site. I enjoyed the experience of shooting a musician playing live in my outdoor studio.
Behind the scenes video:
Clackmannanshire’s bhanana fields
Note the silent “h’ in the title 😛 Rapeseed blooming early this year and is so tall I must fit a bell to the dog because she gets lost. Again the iphone shines as a grab shot camera. Lovely splash of colour in the rolling countryside now winter is gone.
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Spring outside a monumental little secret
Last year I wrote about how visiting The Church of Holy Rude in Stirling was surprising. While the car was being serviced I spent an hour wandering around the outside of the church. I have no fasciation for graveyards, but the textures and symbolism was so strong (as were the snowdrops) my iphone was deployed.
(Earlier on I was upset to have a willow tree fall, now not so bad)
