Chasing the light
Sometimes spontaneity is all you need
Welcome
Happy New Year everyone. I trust 2026 has started well for you, and perhaps has even allowed a few moments out with the pixel box. It’s a rather cold morning as I write this, although not as frozen underfoot as I had hoped. Then again looking at the forecast I may get my wish over the next few days.
I’m actually back in Cambridgeshire for the next few weeks, trying to decide our next move which will either be to head south (northern Spain perhaps) or north to Scotland.
In the meantime let’s go back a few months as I continued to explore the incredible Ardnamurchan peninsula in Scotland.
Creative journal
29th Oct 2025
There’s something quite special about Scotland. The landscapes, the wildlife, the haggis and black pudding burgers ! And of course the light. Goodness me, the light.
And despite the odd day of rain here and there, the light, while bimbling around the western reaches, has been at times rather spectacular. I had decided for the next few days to be a little less precious about my image-making. Don’t get me wrong, I love to take my time when in the field. Observing. Waiting. Small changes to composition. Heavy tripod lodged firmly into the ground. It can be quite therapeutic. Almost mindful (if that’s still a thing these days).
There is, however, a time to be a little more spontaneous, and that has certainly been the case of late. Handheld mostly. ISO a little too high for its own good. Varying apertures. Walking. Looking. Reacting. And lots (and lots) of giggling like a school kid while chasing the light. Good for the soul.
Two days of heavy rain had left the place rather sodden, but as the front moved through the sun was given permission to peek out from behind the clouds, bathing the mountainside in glorious golden light. Mist rising from the distant trees. Mixture of cold blues in the shadows and warm yellows where the sun was able to touch. My favourite mix of tones in photography.
And, after a rather chilly night, the tops of the highest peaks have been covered with their first dusting of snow. I wander aimlessly for a couple of hours, tips of my fingers numb with the cold, the Fuji batteries barely lasting an hour each. Memory cards full. Smiling ear to ear.
A rather perfect morning.
31st Oct 2025
I’ve only been back in Ardnamurchan for a few days, and already feel like I’ve returned home. This place gets under your skin, and I could quite happily spend a year here. Watching the seasons turn. Walking the trails and observing the wildlife. If you ever want to experience Scotland in miniature, then consider this area. Down to the Wildlife hide at Garbh Eilean. Last time we were here we watched an otter fish for a good hour or so. No such luck today, and with a biting wind blowing across the loch, I can’t see us staying too long.
I decided against bringing the tripod, a decision I’m now regretting. I instead resort to balancing (or at least trying to) the GFX on the edge of one of the window ledges. I set up the familiar X-Pan aspect ratio and, with an ND filter applied, look to make a couple of images of the little islands out in the loch. I wish I had a slightly longer focal length. The wind at times is so strong that it rattles the hide like an angry bear looking to get in, rendering most of my attempts at making images a failure. Still, I think a few of them may have worked out, some even show the ferocity of the wind across the surface of the loch. Back to the van. Coffee on.
A quick stop in at the Ferry stores (their last day in business) to pick up a rather expensive tub of clotted cream. The perfect partner to some sour cherry jam we have. We are gifted a free pen for visiting on their last day. The owners are from Northern Ireland and we strike up a conversation, although my focus turns to the changing light outside. It’s incredible and we make a quick exit as the passing weather delivers rainbow after rainbow set against some of the most stunning storm light I’ve seen in a long time. It’s only a short drive down to our planned overnight stop, and yet by the time we arrive, the light has all but gone, replaced with dark, foreboding clouds. Soon the van is engulfed, and I cut a rather dejected figure as the rain batters down on the metal roof. Not even clotted cream can improve my mood.
With sunset less than 30 minutes away, I’ve all but resigned myself to no photography when I notice a small change in the ambient light in the van. I peer out the window and realise there is a chance. I grab my bag and head down towards the port. The rain is horizontal, but there’s a gap on the horizon. Still a chance.
And goodness me, do the conditions deliver. It’s incredible. My face is frozen. I’m soaked from head to foot, and I think the XT4 may have suffered a fault. And yet I’m as happy as I’ve been out with the camera for months. It’s for moments like these that I live for. I wish I could bottle it, taking small sips from its contents when the darkness creeps over the horizon.
As I make my way back to the van, I also remember that it’s fish and chip (not forgetting deep-fried haggis) night at the Kilchoan Hotel.
Oh, happy days !
1st Nov 2025
A slow morning, the memory of yesterday’s light chase (not to mention the absolutely incredible haggis and chips from the Kilchoan hotel) still fresh in the memory. An hour later, and any cobwebs from the night before are also a distant memory, the fresh wind sweeping over Sanna beach ensuring we are wide awake. It’s a wild place down here, and I love how the light plays with the landscape. Spontaneity is still the order of the day. Images captured that I would never have made if I was being more considered with a tripod. A few perhaps that help tell the story of this wonderful peninsula.
As we start to make our way back east, more weather is passing. Wipers on full. The single-track road barely visible beneath the flood. We stop at a favourite little nook, just as a large, rather impressive-looking stag makes his way across the single-track road in front of us. He stops and peers menacingly in our direction, before letting out a guttural roar - his small herd of females following close by.
Looking back towards the coast, there is a glorious layering of light, and I manage to capture a quick frame with the iPhone. I wish now I had shot this with my longer lens.
The drive back up toward the wildlife hide has me both frustrated and awestruck in equal measure. The conditions are perfect, but with limited parking areas, I need to capture the memory in my mind rather than on a card. This time, the tripod comes with me, although any thoughts of being mindful with my compositions are quickly lost as the light and passing weather suddenly combine to create some of the most incredible moods we’ve seen on this whole trip. It’s not going to last long. I move quickly.
I experiment with short and longer exposures, varying aspect ratios, and focal lengths, all while trying to maintain some level of decorum (there are others in the hide). Inside, however, I’m hooting and jumping around like some kind of crazed mad-man, once again the light in Scotland filling my heart and soul as well as my memory cards. This is going to last long in my mind.
With the final shards of light slipping slowly over the distant hills, we make our way back to the van and onward to our final resting place on this trip. Tomorrow we head south and hopefully over onto the Isle of Mull. Looks like the weather is mostly rain with a chance of otters.
Latest vlogs
If you have enjoyed my words from Ardnamurcah, then you may also be interested in my latest videos from the area as I explore the coasts, the ancient woods and then finally enjoy myself with a good old fashioned light chase.
Twelve
As some of you know every year I put together a list of twelve images from the previous 12 months, called unsurprisingly ‘Twelve’. The images don’t necessarily represent my best work, rather memories and stories of the experiences behind the camera.
As I turn my attention to choosing 12 from 2025 I thought it would be nice to pick some of my favourites from the past few years. I hope to publish the latest edition of this small ebook by the end of January.
You can download the previous few years from the link below.
Once again thanks so much for affording me a few minutes of your time. A few other corners of the internet where you can find me. If you have enjoyed these words and images then your support helps to keep the gas tank filled, ready for more adventures.
The X100 Diaries
Bimbles magazine
Until next time .. Happy Pixels ...
Gorgeous photos!
I’m engaged with your style and photography. Thank you.