LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDING

 

Stunning cloudscapes 

I was guiding lovely folk from wearegood.com today in the Cairngorms. This media company employed me to get some wonderful photographic locations for the new whisky distillery opening soon in Grantown-on-Spey. Jon-Paul, Nikki and Mike were in for a wintry feel on the hills. A very wonderful one at that.

Snow and cloud in the Chalamain Gap 

John-Paul getting some rock formations 

It was snowing and minus 1 C at Glenmore this morning. Another winters day in the Cairngorms. We met up at the Sugarbowl and headed out to the Chalamain Gap, my first location which would suit the criteria for a wild and spectacular setting. There was a lot if cloud around, even at lower altitudes do not great conditions for landscape photography.

Cloud and timed rocks

It didn't look very promising early morning but we persevered and headed up the lovely North ridge of Creag an Leth-Choin, or Lurchers Crag as some name it. It was below freezing and the rocks well rimed up. 

The clouds suddenly cleared

Cameras on overtime

At around 950m we suddenly came out of thick cloud and we got amazing views, what joy! John-Paul was out with the cameras and snapping away at some amazing scenery. 

Stunning 

Cloudscapes and snow showers 

Cumulus clouds

From 950m to the summit we were treated to constantly changing light, cloud and snow showers coming and going. 

We love this!

Rime sculptures 

Beautiful 

What a transformation and I was so pleased that John-Paul could get some terrific shots. We lingered around the summit area for some time. It's important to carry plenty of warm clothing and gloves in conditions like this. With summit temperatures around minus 3 C today. Definitely not usual May warmth!

Cairngorm plateau in full snow cover

Our summit 

Great views down the Lairig Ghru 

After plenty of photography on the summit we headed over to the top of Lurchers Gully and ridge. A big snow and graupel showercame over from the North again and we were in near whitebout conditions. The compass was ou to get onto the ridge. We arrived just in time for a view into Coire an Lochain. 

The cliffs of Coire an Lochain 

Deep snow and poor visibility 

Another blast of snow 

Only a glimpse of the coire before another big shower drifted across us. Heafing down the ridge we were back into poor visibility and facing into the blast of graupel. Our final location was at the lochans in the coire. By the time we arrived here it was back to calm conditions and the cliffs revealed themselves. Perfect timing again.

The rime plastered cliffs in Coire an Lochain 

Perfect timing for another clear weather spell

Sun and cloud

We walked out, returning back to Coire Cas. Deep snow all the way back. Evdn here were there is an excellent path below 900m you will need to do some navigation. For us we enjoyed the last hour in sun and snow, it was actually warm and faces were glowing at the end. 

We saw just 1 person today.

What a day. Great company and stunning scenery. Thanks to John-Paul,  Nikki and Mike for wonderful company.  Looking forward to the new distillery website which should be launched at the end of this month.

Sunshine on the way down