Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Bright in my Northern Sky


Ive always wanted to see the Aurora Borealis, in the past Ive thought about travelling to Norway or Iceland, as I hear they are quite regular visitors to those parts of the world, but as usual life and money gets in the way of these things and it's always something to put off for another year.So I was pretty excited when I heard that the Sun had recently got a wee bit overheated and was firing some super Solar energy juice our way, meaning the Lights would be heading to more Southerly parts than normal.
We have had some spectacularly clear nights of late up here and Ive been out during most of them, stargazing with a few beers in the back garden or taking shots into the wee small hours, so I was hoping for much of the same when the light show came to town... err, not so much! What we got was a classic cloudy night in Edinburgh along with some lovely light pollution to contend with. I was hoping I could drive away from the city, but family commitments meant that would'nt be possible, so for this show I was stuck in the garden, clinging on to what little green streaks in the sky I could and hoping that there would be a break in the clouds so I could glimpse the dancing green beauties doing their thing at full tilt.It wasnt to be, the blanket of cloud obscured the show until the dazzling green light died away, but at its most intense, I managed to capture this not very overwhelming image of the Northern Lights, above Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh castle and the City of Edinburgh.Not an amazing effort being that it looks like a big green cloud but hey, this is Aurora Borealis Scottish style!

But pleasures are like poppies spread,
You sieze the flower, its bloom is shed;
Or like the snow falls in the river,
A moment white--then melts for ever;
Or like the borealis race,
That flit ere you can point their place;

Robert Burns - Excerpt from Tam o' Shanter





Cheers for now


Sean

Climb Mag




Hi

The recent edition of 'Climb' Magazine is the Photographic issue, featuring some of the worlds best known climbing photographers shooting in some of the most amazing locations. Still, I managed to sneak a wee shot in there from one of my forays into the County of Northumberland.Its a photo I took of my friend Tim Cross as he was high up on an exposed outcrop, padding his way into the sunlight at the end of another perfect day on the sandstone.

Im always keen to shoot willing climbing models, so if you have any route in mind you are thinking of trying and you think it would either A.Be a super photogenic line or B. be newsworthy to the climbing press, better still, both.Then please give me a call.

Cheers


Sean

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Eve Arnold- RIP

If a photographer cares about the people before the lens and is compassionate, much is given. It is the photographer, not the camera, that is the instrument.


http://www.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP=XSpecific_MAG.PhotographerDetail_VPage&l1=0&pid=2K7O3R14AZX1&nm=Eve%20Arnold

She was an inspiration to many and I had great admiration for her work.

A life well lived

Rest in peace Eve.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Rad Santa



The big red and white dude took the afternoon off during his busy period to head down to Glentress in the Scottish Borders.Here he is pictured on his Specialized Sleigh, knocking out some big airtime in the Freeride park in front of an impressed looking mob of elves.

Merry Xmas dudes.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Winter Morning




I worked until 3am this morning building wedding albums, editing, downloading and ordering prints. I was super tired as I slunk into bed but for the life of me I couldnt sleep a wink, my head far too buzzy with work stuff.
At 6am after around 1 hour drifting in and out of sleep I finally admitted defeat, I switched on the news, checked the weather and decided I needed some proper chill time by the sea.I have had this shot in my head for about a year but time and conditions have never seemed to allow for it to come to fruition, so with the weather saying clear and windy I headed down to St.Abbs head on the Berwickshire coast.I had checked the tide times and guessed I would be bang on by arriving there at 8ish but to my dismay, the tide was too far out and it became apparent that the initial image I had in my mind would have to wait yet another day, as time again was tight and I had to be back to work by 12pm.I wandered in the moonlight around the slipway area and came across a nice alcove which Id never been in before (quite tidal and secluded) I slipped and squirmed my way over a few seaweedy boulders (vibram soles + wet rock + Seaweed = Sketch fest) and got established on a rock at the entrance where numerous seabirds floated around, checking out the new arrival.I took a few long exposures of the headland and rocks leading out to the sea, trying to work out the geology but also feeling familiar with the shapes of the Greywacke rock which this part of the coast is famous for, on which I have had numerous days rock climbing, some very good, some absolutely terrifying, as is the order of the day with sea cliffs.After about an hour the sun was up and the quiet light of dawn had gone, so I packed up and retreated to the warmth of the car and for a well earned power nap.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Recent Wedding Photography from the wedding of Charles & Doreen at Borthwick Castle.


















Some of my recent wedding photography from Charles and Doreen's wedding at Borthwick Castle, near Edinburgh.