Blue Hour in Elgol, a photo from Highland, Scotland

Photographer's Note

We went to the Isle of Skye again in October. This time we stayed at Elgol, which is at the end of a 15mile single track road. We rented a cottage overlooking the little harbour on Loch Scavaig, which you see here.

This view is popular with photographers, but if you’re not sure what the weather is going to be, that 15 miles and back again on a single track road can be a looong way. We used to watch from the cottage window as several photographers arrived each evening for the hoped-for sunset. All we had to do was walk 100m.

This was taken after the sun had set, while sitting on the rocks watching the splashing of the waves. The mountains in the background are the famous Cuillin Hills.

If you click the map link (right) I marked where I was sitting to take the photo. Zoom in and move slightly SE and you will see where we were staying.

ISO100, FL20mm, Speed 10seconds

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Critiques | Translate

Bartleby (13552) 2009-12-16 7:35

Hi Kath,
so you're back from Scotland ! And I see you brought back some impressive pictures with you ! This POV surely is a hit. The long exposure worked really well on the water that becomes misty combined with this wonderful blue hue...I love it. I'm jealous ! I gotta go back...Well no kidding actually, I really do want to come back, I really enjoyed my trip and the Highlands are huge so...Definitely will. Congrats for your shot !

Best,

Philippe

Pablo25 (3186) 2009-12-16 7:43

hello Kath,
outstanding scenery very well captured. I must admit this is a landscape I would love to go and photograph. Well take.
best regards
Pawel

smarcell (19965) 2009-12-16 7:51

Hello Kath,

a real masterpiece. The blue atmosphere is fantastic.
Then I love the blurred waves, like a mist around the stones. The Highlands sky and weather are perfect for this kind of photos.
I also notice that here on TE there is a sort of "british School" (I call it like this) dedicated to these landscape images.
Regards Stefano

jwmunro (286) 2009-12-16 7:55

Hello Kath -

This is a fine image and worthy of your award and honors. I like the soft pastels of the post sunset period and the overall blue feel to the image. Even though you are working with the low light and soft tones the image had sharpness throughout. I think the textures of the rocks are a major feature even though they are very small. Well done!

Thank you for sharing.

John

pauloog (11751) 2009-12-16 8:09

Hello Kath,
The dark colours with a tiny touch of sunlight here and there create a wonderful atmosphere, enhanced by the contrast between the sharp peaks and the rounded boulders.
Regards,
Paul

JCG (35153) 2009-12-16 8:10

Hello Kath,

Welcome back among us and thank you for this wonderful picture. The magic of this landscape, produced by the effect of long exposure on the surface of the water. You're well positioned to get a lot of depth, which leads us very nicely on these peaks in the distance. A wonderful twilight and a wonderful atmosphere, I like very much, nice publicity for the region!

With all my friendships and a very good end of the day

Jean-Charles

cbrman (21685) 2009-12-16 8:11

Hello Kath,

Superbe effet sur la surface de l'eau. J'aime beaucoup la dominante lйgиrement bleutйe et cette belle construction d'image qui nous laisse plonger dans ce superbe dйcor.
Bravo, une trиs belle photographie.

A+

Dominique

holmertz (103596) 2009-12-16 8:20

Hello Kath,
It's nice to see you back, and what a picture you show us this time. Not so many colours, but a great variety of blue, grey and brown shades. A scenery and an atmosphere like out of a Tolkien story (I'm just guessing, I'm not familiar with them.
Kind regards,
Gert

carper (96) 2009-12-16 8:23

my dear Kath nice to see you,
I thought you where on a world cruise, itt's nice to see your work. And this is so lovely and good, fantastic speeed shot, fine atmosphere, good balance, a perfect shot, my compliments. have a good evening.
regard jaap

trippeek (229) 2009-12-16 8:33

Hello Kath
Great picture: Looking at it I have three-dimensional sensation. The shade of colours of the rocks are outstanding.
Best regards
Stefano

saxo042 (38078) 2009-12-16 8:56

Hi Kath,
I like the long line that starts in the lower left cornerand goes along the shore and turns into to background mountains. The blue colours of everything here are very attractive. This is indeed a very carefully composed picture!
Kind regards
Gunnar

besnard (59196) 2009-12-16 9:03

Bonsoir Kath
Un trиs joli clichй du bord de mer avec une belle harmonie de bleus et les rochers qui forment un excellent 1er plan.
Merci pour le partage et bonne soirйe.
Nicole

coco (30439) 2009-12-16 9:34

Welcome again TE.

It's a pleasure to see you again.
I like a lot the composition and long exposure and the atmosphere of the photo is great.
Fantastic work and landscape.

Well done.

Bluejeans (64251) 2009-12-16 9:38

Ola kath ,
Que magnifica foto as cores estгo lindas , o movimento da agua entre as rochas ficou fantбstico , gostei muito do primeiro plano os detalhes das rochas estгo muito bons , bom ponto de visгo , parabйns!!
Um abraзo Gonзalo

BennyV (34780) 2009-12-16 9:40

Hello Kath,

Excellent landscape photography with lovely moody blues (no pun intended) and perfect positioning. I love the contras between the round pebbles/rocks in the foreground and and the sharp rock in the distance.

Benny

Longroute (19600) 2009-12-16 9:42

This is the photo every seascape lover like me wishes to take!
I tried several times but never got such a good smooth water and clarity: those stones in the fg are so incredibly clear and sharp! And I do like the soft colour tones of the blue hour, and of course the scenario is very appealing!
I think it depends on where the sun sets, but you got a fine light here. Very inspiring and incisive. An excellent work.
Compliments,
Donato

sacimar (38173) 2009-12-16 10:08

Hi Kath,

great picture, I like the details and colours of the image, this place is beautiful, well done,

Best regards

Sergio

PixelTerror (0) 2009-12-16 10:12

Hi Kath
Welcome back with this nice image to celebrate Isa's victory ?
Nice long exposure, I like this floating myst from the water and thanks to the filter this foreground part looks very luminous
Have a nice evening JY

Buin (42580) 2009-12-16 10:42

Hallo Kath!
What a wonderful, nearly a bit mysterious atmosphere, emphasized by the allover bluish colour. The low point of view creates an enormous depth in your picture. A great landscape and a really worth-seeing picture.
Greetings from cold Germany!
Frank

Didi (61589) 2009-12-16 10:42

Hi Kath
Glad to see you posting again
Very wonderfull blue hour with a nice deep and sharp foreground.
That's great for this typical scotish view.
Best regards

bostankorkulugu (42866) 2009-12-16 11:09 [Comment]

Show Comment

Waylim (25436) 2009-12-16 11:29

Hi Kath,
Good to see you active again after a short break. It seem many member I know here are less active lately, well it was never the same since the change anyway.

I love the blue and misty mood you captured here. The long exposure give the foreground water beautiful and soft texture. The blue tone, dark clouds and time of day contributed to the melancholic atmosphere, depending on ones mood, it can also evoke the essence of tranquility and solitude.
Thanks Kath, hope all is well.
Way

rigoletto (34279) 2009-12-16 11:34

I also hope that you keep on hanging around, Cath.
A short break was maybe a good idea, but i hope you don't alienate after all.
Superb nature shot. Nicely colored and moody.
Best wishes,
Deniz

CyrilleGrillere (425) 2009-12-16 12:33

It's a wonderfull picture!!
Thank you for sharing.
With all my friendships and a very good end of the day

Cyrille

UlfE (14641) 2009-12-16 12:49

Hi Kath,

A warm welcome back. Good to see a post from you again after a long break. A superb shot. I love the glossy and lustrous look of the stones and the silky look of the water close to the shore due to the long exposure. Colours and sharpness are perfect and I really like the blue tones. This is a kind of photo and I wanted to take myself for sometime but I have not had the opportunity yet. TFS this inspiring photo and have nice evening!

Kind regards,

Ulf

TopGeo (38220) 2009-12-16 13:20

Hi Kath!A good surveys of the whole scene here under a nice subtle detail and excellent contrast! Good idea, and an excellent technique only color of blue hour of the night!
regards
ciao
Georgios

Sistercosmo (242) 2009-12-16 13:21

Hi Kath,

wow, this is a real eye-catcher! That mist on the water and the shades of blue and gray are amazing. That silky water, the light in the clouds. Fantastic shot, my dear!

Hugs,
Linda

gilou530 (34) 2009-12-16 13:34

hello kath
very happy to see you after a long time
you take again the posts with a superb image with dominant bluish, a choice speed which gives this light effect of blur on the waves, and an environment of calm in this photograph, well done
frienships
gilbert

xavshot (69835) 2009-12-16 13:45

Bonsoir Kath
trиs belle image. La longue pose a permis de donner cette belle lumiиre et ce cфtй brumeux du premier plan. J'aime beaucoup l'ambiance de cette image. Bravo.
Xavier

Gerrit (62042) 2009-12-16 17:31

Hi Kath,
it's good to see work from you again.
What a beautiful place and fantastic atmosphere with the mist coming up between this huge pebbles.
regards, Gerrit

HimalAnda (10671) 2009-12-16 23:12

Hello Kath,

The composition is perfect and this blue light brings a kind of cold atmosphere to your picture.
With the long exposure, the sea seems to be fog : very nice.

Stйphane

ktanska (45052) 2009-12-16 23:20

Hi Kath,
Beautiful Jamie Russell style long exposure seascape. That, hmm, rocks! Good framing. Clouds, mountains, sea and boulders match harmonously together.
(So many have left this site that now I have room for new favourites on that limited 100 picture list. This one goes there.)
Kari

emka (158784) 2009-12-16 23:39

Hi Kath, Nice to see you again. Fantastic view of the Scottish landscape. I like the the delicate fog above water and impressive big stones. Wonderful mysterious atmosphere. Great shot.

Regards

Malgorzata

Graal (103040) 2009-12-17 0:11

Welcome Kath after the break!
Beautiful landscape and wild nature. Amazing mood in this image. Good presentation of place. I like it.
Gr., Aleksander

snunney (130967) 2009-12-17 1:39

Hello Kath,
The cool blue tones bring a lovely atmosphere to this beautiful composition. I like the low point of view and the silk like surface of the waters engendered by the slow shutter speed. A lovely peaceful image to contemplate for a while.

pasternak (15185) 2009-12-17 1:42

Nice to see you again posting, Kath, I was already thinking you left TE. This is a very good seascape showing the wild, almost, primordial, nature, and I like the effect of a long exposure on the water. Excellent work.

Cheers
A

riclopes (35577) 2009-12-17 2:04

Olб Kath, I sure envy that cottage you rented. This is problably too cold for me but your picture is gorgeous. Not sure if I like more these stones which have amazing detail or the famous mountains in the distance. My eyes keep going and coming through this inverted 'C'. Wonderful mood from the long exposure and nice sky enhancing.
ric

danos (110407) 2009-12-17 4:49

Hi Kath,
great the view of the Isle of Skye but in my mind the perspective and the POV of the rocks, are even more impressive.I like the clarity of the scene this day of October, as the sharpness of it.The light foggy atmosphere on the foreground, make the scenery dreamily.

Have a nice day,Danos

devimeuxbe (58557) 2009-12-17 6:26

Hi kath
thanks for this very beautifull landscape. The low speed is excellent. The colors very nice. This is a very progfessional work
well done
Bertrand

Dyerco (10185) 2009-12-17 7:15

Hi Kath
Welcome back and I see you've arrived with a superb image. Good strong Fg with the rock on the left balancing the shoreline rocks. The long exposure has produced a misty effect. Nicely done indeed. This is going to my favourites.
TFS
Phil

dta (98848) 2009-12-17 7:23

Hello Kath ,
What a great capture ! May be a little unreal , with the effect of the long exposure . But the composition is outstanding , with the superb rocks in the FG and the beautiful peaks in the BG . Fantastic sharpness and excellent light management .
Regards

avene (12675) 2009-12-17 12:24

hi Kath,
well, this is just gorgeous, the abundance of blue tones and textures create a dreamy mood, I like that a lot. I also like how you have composed the scene, the curving shoreline nicely leads the eye towards the horizon, and I am fascinated by the illusion that the rocks gradually change into clouds and take off :) great shot, my compliments.

best,
Kristine

izmirli (3989) 2009-12-17 13:54

merhaba dear kath
excellent atmosphere and landscape.excellent colours.well done.
best regards.
gьrkan akзakır.

leonorkuhn (16237) 2009-12-17 16:48

Hello Kath,

Welcome back! I was missing you. You returned in great style, featuring a beautiful image, the blue hour on the coast of Scotland. Excellent exposure, creating a splendid effect in the water. Magnificent colors and textures, very good sense of depth created by the stones.

Greetings from Brasilia
Leonor

Cricri (176) 2009-12-18 2:35

Hi Kath
Jolie dominante de bleu dans ce paysage sauvage, trиs joli les pierres et l'effet lent des vagues en avant plan, trиs belle image
Friendship
cricri

josepmarin (59385) 2009-12-18 5:02

Hello Kath,
I am very happy to return to see your photos and your critiques here, my friend. Welcome.
And certainly, you return on TE with one of your impressive photos, with your personal and elegant style.
I like a lot the water effect due to the long exposure time, the tones and the light of the blue hour, and the beautiful graphism of the rocks in foreground, that lead our look to the mountains and the splendid cloudy sky in background.
The composition is really magnificent, congratulations.
Best wishes,
Josep

Wandering_Dan (3449) 2009-12-18 9:11

Hi, Kath -

Been a while! A very interesting mood shot with good control of complex lighting. I'm of two minds about the soft water light created by the long exposure. On the one hand, it adds to the mood - a sort of Lord of the Rings mystical quality. On the other hand, the rest of the scene is so realistic that part of me wants the whole of it to be that way.

Interesting conundrum.

Best,
Dan

buscape (6219) 2009-12-18 19:57

Hello Kath,
great blue hour shot with beautiful tones of blue. Due to the long exposure you have a nice effect on the floating water. The management of light is just perfect with the use of the Lee 0,6 ND filter. Since last autumn I do have the same filter and by now I have got some nice results, but none that even begins to compare with this one. Congratulations to this wonderful landscape shot.
Best wishes,
Helmut

Angshu (56760) 2009-12-18 23:02

Hello Kath
Beautiful...thanks also largely to the long exposure, due to which the water in the Fg takes a web-silk like appearance. The blue hue is also something which brings uniqueness to this shot, contrasting with the stones and the light which falls on them from the left. Excellent composition as well!
Best Regards
Angshu

danyy (0) 2009-12-18 23:48

Bonjour Kath,
on obtient toujours de mrveilleux rйsultats avec des temps de pose plus йlevйs dans ce genre d'endroit, une excellente utililisation d'un filtre obscurcissant.
Un paysage tellement reposant et calme, la duretй du roc faca а la fluiditй des eaux.
J'aime beaucoup, encadrement trиs soignй.
My best regards.
Daniel.

yquem46 (38752) 2009-12-18 23:54

Superb Kath !
Much elegance in this top quality shot
A real masterpiece
bravo
patrick

papagolf21 (152607) 2009-12-19 1:04

Bonjour, chиre Kath,
Superbe prise de vue qui pourrait faire l'objet de la couverture d'un livre ou d'une jaquette d'un disque de musique classique.
Une image emplie de poйsie.
Fйlicitations pour cette grande maоtrise.
Amitiйs.
Philippe

chawax (20764) 2009-12-19 7:56

Hi Kath,
This is one of the most beautiful I've seen in my life, a must see in Scotland ! You caught a fantastic atmosphere here, with great blue hour colours. Your framing and the sharpness are excellent and I love the effect on the water. A great photo, congratulations !
Regards,
Olivier

mesutilgim (0) 2009-12-19 11:52

Hi Kath,
A scene, like from another world !
The rock formations at right creates a perfect contrast to the rest of the scene, with a certain softness.
Amazing graphism.
TFS and have a nice weekend
Best regards
MESUT ILGIM

Emile (20352) 2009-12-19 12:33

Hola Kath.
I thought you were gone from to TE but now I see you were traveling, I am happy to see you again.
Your photo is spectacular with soft tones captured during the blue hour, precious view of this amazing place, your low exposure allows us to enjoy the effects of water on the rocks, there is a mist that I like.
Greetings.

hardyuno (4652) 2009-12-20 4:33

Hi Kath,
a fantastic shot, full of contrast and peace. I love the cloudy sky in BG and the fine exposed waves. Blue is my favourite colour and this picture makes a calming impression. Thank you
Have a fine sunday
Hartmut

alvaraalto (42804) 2009-12-20 7:07

Hi Kath,

Beautiful and even a little mysterious blue light in the picture. This place is certainly a long walk worth. Excellent photo-technical achievement.

Groet Rob

Kielia (24077) 2009-12-20 10:19

Hi Kath,
this image has so much atmosphere of the blue hour due to the excellent management of the light! I like the cold colors a lot and the fantastic contrasts are also exciting. A wonderful impression and outstanding photo work. TFS!
Warm regards
Harriet

bema (26591) 2009-12-20 11:28

Hello Kath..

after a long time i wanted to tell you my opinion to this beautiful picture.. very well collected pov and a fantastic composed capture too..
it lookґs really great..

have a nice week, best regards Bernd

npecanhuk (79329) 2009-12-20 13:13

Hello Kath!
What a magnificent photograph! This one is truly breathtaking! The place is wonderful and you took this picture in the best time to create this superb mood, with awesome colors, effects with the water and perfect exposure!
TFS - congratulations!
My warmest regards,
Neyvan

jaywalker (16105) 2009-12-20 13:20

Hi Kath, What a stunning piece of work, your exposure time on this shot is excellent, brilliant low POV & the rocks offer a stunning foreground, beautiful blue tone & wonderfully sharp, TFS, kind regards Wilson.

batalay (41261) 2009-12-22 15:32

Hello Kath,

Absolutely ethereal! The rugged rocks, the mist on the water, the impressive depth of field, and the high resolution... all collaborate to make this a surreal world that Dali would have loved. But then, it could also be a NASA shot of the surface of IO, one of the moon's of Jupiter.

Warm regards,

Bulent

delpeoples (60342) 2009-12-22 23:15

Dear Kath, sorry I've run out of those gren smileys but couldn't ignore this amazing shot of the Isle, probably my favourite island in the world. The quality here is indisputably good, the light management flaswless and the effect of the long exposure on the water and rocks gives it an almost pre-hostoric atmosphere. Congratulations, you really are a talented lady! Warm regards from very humid Sydney, Lisa

shevchenko (20560) 2009-12-24 3:45

Hi Kath,
Good frame to the natural view, it is suitable for print out as a post card or poster, very beautiful and attractive scenery, nice to see soft sunlight bright up the dim envirnment, distinct photo, well done.
Ally

subhendu_bagchi (26091) 2009-12-29 3:18

Namaste kath,
outstanding scenery from Scotland. You have presented it from a nice point of view. Use of low light is brilliant after sunset. The water is nicely coloured and the rocky area in right is just fantastic. Beautiful hills in middle, while you have got a nice sky as background. Very well composed shot. Tfs.
Have a nice day.
Subhendu

plimrn (21344) 2009-12-29 16:53

Hi Kath,
The beautiful soft glow of the water seems almost moonlit, although I can see light in the sky. That is the real advantage of being right there, the map really pinpoints the location. Looks like a great place to stay.

I don't know why I can't get the map function to work for me. Ah well, we have a portable GPS in our car now so I'll try marking the location of a photo and seeing if I can make it work that way. Next time I go to Crater Lake, I'm going to stay right at the lodge. At Yosemite, I love staying in the valley so one can just wander out and be in the valley.

HLJ, Pat

fabianoleite (13575) 2009-12-30 9:53

Wonderful view with a great sense of depth. I like the dark colors, the result is wonderful. The sea looks mystic with the mist. It seems Morgana will appear at any moment. Congratulations!

macjake (98544) 2010-01-06 12:29

HI Kath
the rocky shoreline gave you so many opportunities to create your own masterpiece, and you did so very well.
excellent depth of field, so very clear and sharp.
love the time exposure effect in the water in the foreground.
what makes this photo so successful is the combination of three great subjects, the water, rocks, and mountain scape.
Cheers
Craig

Henryk_Bilor (20803) 2010-03-10 9:17

Hello Kath
I`m jealousy, you were there in autumn, why I can only see Cuillins in a webcam in Sligachan...:)
If only were a good connection from Glasgow, I would be there 4 times a year. Wonderful place, great captured in the evening. I remember how I was escaping from the high tide a bit closer to Cuillins :).
Thank you for this reminder.
Regards