Aspects of Assynt with My Beautiful Scotland

 I had a poor start to my trip to Assent.  I was joining a workshop run by Shona Perkins (My Beautiful Scotland) and Wendy Bagnall.  The ferry failed me as the bow ramp refused to work.  They still hadn’t fixed it by Tuesday afternoon but luckily for me they decided to travel with a reduced capacity and I was able to reach the mainland.  I met the group, Deanie, Sarah and Ian with Shona and Wendy in the evening having only missed the day.  Susi was part of the group but unfortunately I didn’t meet her as she had to go home early.  It was a good evening at Achmelvich Bay as the light appeared and many images were made.

We were staying at Kylesku Lodge and well looked after.  After a good breakfast we went off to photograph around Loch Druim Suardalain.  I have seen Suilven from across the Minch but this was my first time seeing it up close.  After a picnic in the playwark at Lochinver we were off to Culag community woods.  After a few tips from Wendy on icm trees I started to do some practicing.  We all loved the flowering currents growing up the side of an old lorry.  Then on to a nearby river for multiple exposure practice.

Ian, Shona and Sarah

3 image multiple exposure

and a few more multiple exposures

Icm after tips from Wendy

Multiple exposures

More practising

At the river multiple exposure

Icm water

two more multiple exposures

On Thursday we were driven to Durness.  Stopped almost immediately when we saw mist moving over the hills.  Then to Sango Sands for some more icm beach shots and after a huge toastie we went to Balnakeil beach where there were some lovely sand patterns.

Sango sands

Wendy

icm with Wendy

Balnakeil beach

Multiple exposure with two of Sarah

Walking back to the car park

Friday was a day to go back to places from the rest of the week.  I had missed out on Loch Assynt so we stopped there first to make images of the trees.  Back to Achmelvich but the rain came in so we went on to the Drumbeg loop and Clashnessie Falls.  I had a problem when I downloaded as I didn’t check my images and had formatted before I realised I was missing images.  Luckily I bought a Sandisk recovery and the images were saved.

Deanie in the landscape

Wendy in the landscape

Northern diver at Achmelvich beach

Sulivan appearing in the mist

and smoking

Multiple exposures of pussy willow

Clashnessie falls

Deanie

a nine multiple exposure image

Taking the waters

All to soon the week was over and time for me to drive to Dunfermline my stopover for my week in Wakefield.  I will definitely return to Assynt, what a beautiful location.  Now for a lot of practicing with icm and multiple exposures.

Next post will be Wakefield and the RPS Visual Art Weekend in Sheffield.