Poor old Orkney

[Donald]

I had a tremendous 10 days in Caithness and Sutherland (right at the top of Scotland). I seemed to be right on top of my photographic game and wherever I went I was seeing and able to capture photos that are worth finishing to make images.

The title of this reflects the fact that the Orkney Isles (off the north coast and which you can see a headland at the left of the snowstorm) were getting dumped upon.

This was a case of good luck being where I was when I was. I then had to capture and subsequently finish the image. Thanks be to the Gods for providing the scene, but responsibility for the image is all mine.

Your views, comments and criticism will be welcome.

[billtils]

Wow, and wow again!

One tiny comment, would it be better to remove the telegraph poles? They caught my eye right away but didn't bother me until viewed actual size when they seemed to stick out - almost literally in the case of the nearest one which seems to be attacking the cloud.

[lovelife65]

Hi Donald, I saw this n Fb too. Very cool capture, I would say you were definitely lucky. Those clouds are fantastic. A landscape photograph that says wow and I enjoy going back to it.... one of the key elements of a “perfect” photograph.

I may have cloned out the poles to get a cleaner scene, but overall very nice.

[Donald]

Wondered about that Bill and Sharon. But if I did, then I would have to remove the wires that go from pole to pole and the risk of it not being neat and tide, particularly where the wires cross land and sea, made me keep the poles in place.

[DanK]

I'll chime in with another "wow." this is a truly unique image.

I personally don't mind the poles. They provide a sense of scale.

[AlwaysOnAuto]

I agree with Dan on keeping the poles.
This reminds me of some of the cloud formations I've seen when traveling in the Midwest, ie middle of USA.
Really a great image, captures the power of nature.

[lovelife65]

Taking another look, I agree with dan now. The poles certainly don’t dominate and it’s not something I notice right away..l.how could I with those amazing clouds 😁
Removing poles and associated wires is tedious and not very easy.
Good work Mr. Donald

[Wavelength]

Really Fantastic!!!

[ST1]

Fantastic image Donald, well captured and processed.

I think it would be wise not to remove those poles as the electrical power (not telephony) they supply to wherever they lead to would be sorely missed. Right my pedant hat has been stored safely away .


Sent from somewhere in Gods County using Tapatalk

[Artshot]

I think it's an amazing photo that has me thinking I might have to learn about B&W. A first.

[Tronhard]

I looked at the image and had a sense of up-welling, just like the cloud - it rises magnificently from the base of the contrasting blackness of the sea.

I had a similar sense of awe (but in a different way) looking at the terrifying B&W images of mushroom clouds of the early atom bomb tests. This tops those, and nature hopefully always will...

[Shadowman]

Nicely captured, I see a serpent on the left.

[rpcrowe]

Absolutely mind boggling...

[Rita]

And another WOW from me. What a scene!

[NorthernFocus]

Nicely composed and a crazy amount of detail in the sky. Nicely done.

[Manfred M]

Donald - that cloud / storm that is rolling in is magnificent and you have captured it beautifully.

I have never seen a snow storm roll in that looks anything like that. All the ones the I have lived through tend to be preceded by a low and heavy cloud cover; nothing nearly that photogenic.

[Donald]

I got the ultimate accolade.

Someone from our village saw the image on Facebook and said, "Amazing sight Donald, and you have the camera to capture it."

Y'see, it does happen.

Thanks for all the comments above. Hopefully, colleagues on here think I have the skill to make the picture and that it just wasn't the camera that went off itself and made it.

[shreds]

Lucky man, a magnificent landscape in the brilliant and very inspiring Caithness.

A while since I have been there, the first time was twenty five years ago. At that time, we sauntered along the heather lined road from Latheron to Thurso, using only human power. Had slept on the beach at Helmsdale the night before, with the seals coming ashore too. The largish 35mm Fuji SLR was with me, but took far too few pictures. Just absorbed the wonderful surroundings.

So I suppose I ought to make the effort in the future again. With this kind of inspiration, really need to bring it on. (The new sleeper trains from London start later this year too).

[Donald]

Lucky man, a magnificent landscape in the brilliant and very inspiring Caithness.

A while since I have been there, the first time was twenty five years ago. At that time, we sauntered along the heather lined road from Latheron to Thurso, using only human power. Had slept on the beach at Helmsdale the night before, with the seals coming ashore too. The largish 35mm Fuji SLR was with me, but took far too few pictures. Just absorbed the wonderful surroundings.

So I suppose I ought to make the effort in the future again. With this kind of inspiration, really need to bring it on. (The new sleeper trains from London start later this year too).

Thank you Ian. You've captured what the Highlands of Scotland are about.

I hope we'll see you there again soon.

[xpatUSA]

(The new sleeper trains from London start later this year too).

You just awoke a horrible memory of a journey from London to Edinborough in the 50's. Something like 6-8 hours IIRC, standing room only.