Living where I do in the middle of the central belt of Scotland, and having areas like Glencoe, Perthshire, the Trossachs, all within one hour or so’s drive, one would think that making a decision as to where to go early on a Saturday or Sunday morning would be easy… Oh that it were…
this is the process…
1. Study the weather forecast the night before… (by region)
2. Fill the car with diesel ( I have been caught out before)
3. When I get out of bed… stand at the window of my house and look onto the distant Campsie Fells… mist?… low cloud… clear sky… wind direction…
4. Stand in the garden and look left (west) and determine approaching weather… Look right (east) and do the same… Make a decision!
5. Get in the car, drive to the end of the road, and go in a completely different direction…
…and it doesnt end there, once you have driven several miles and the sky has turned blue and clear, you at once regret that decision, and wonder whether you should have gone East!!
This shot was taken on one such day, Monday past to be precise. i knew that there was a forecast for a bright clear day so I knew that there was a limited time when the clouds of the previous night would burn off and it would become un recordable…
I always use my knowledge of the Trossachs as a fall back on such days, knowing that , if there is any mist etc, that it will burn off later in the valley of Loch Ard. I have markers along the road that determine direction and when I get to Dumgoyne Distillery on the way to the Trossachs the whole of the region opens out before you and t is decision time…
As I passed the roundabout below Killearn, I noticed the mist on the braes approaching Croftamie, and made my choice, there and then, to head for Loch lomond.
It was still dark as i passed the little village of Gartocharn, and tempted as I was to stop and shoot the mist hanging on the trees above the river, the time was not right so i ploughed on and eventually made it to Duck Bay, Loch Lomond side, without succumbing to temptation… i reckon that I had about thirty minutes at this spot, and in that time the light changed significantly about three times… and i was there to record it!!
The shot above is one of the results.
Any tips on decision making would be very welcome.. have tried coin tossing etc…
6 Comments
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January 7th, 2012
Hi David,
This is a stunning image. Love everything about it. I can relate to what you`re saying and those last minute changes of direction. I often head out to a location and then drive around in circles while the good light passes. I think it`s probably best to plan where youre going to and stick with it. There will always be an element of luck involved. I suppose the more we get out there the better chance we have of getting good shots.
Take care,
Gerry
Thanks Gerry… I find myself leaving earlier so that I can get past the ’round in circles’ bit… lol
The worst place for decisions is Ard: do I go up to Arklet and catch this on the way back, or do I stay here and wait for the light to arrive? 9/10 times I make the wrong decision!
Often the sky looks promising, particularly in the evening, only for everything to turn grey in an instance. I think Gerry has the right idea in sticking to a plan. But that is OK if you live in the area. As a visitor I would need to rely on local knowledge ( such as your kind self) to maximise the opportunities. So you had better be on the ball ol’ son….LOL
( I’m still on track for October BTW )
I think you need to get yourself a really fast motocross bike… or four camera set-ups!!… but I think you are right Karl… being in the right place, right time is an art in itself!!
The grass is always greener on the other side of the hill. I drive to Loch Ard and the mist/light is .. well .. OK. But I think “I bet it’s better at Loch Chon” .. so I drive to Loch Chon .. and it’s not. So I think “I’ll just try Arklet”. When I get to Arklet, and find there is absolutely no mist whatsover, I think “Hmmm .. looks like it’s back to Ard then …”. By the time I arrive back at Ard, all traces of mist have vanished .. and, furthermore, the light is absolute rubbish.