Arran has wonderful artistic geology all along its coastline, offering endless possibilities for abstract and intimate landscapes. One of the best locations is to be found at Pirates Cove. I could probably have spent an entire week exploring this one small section of coast. Once you start looking, there are pictures within pictures, of worlds within worlds.
Original photograph copyright © Simon Miles. Not to be used without permission. Thanks for looking.
Tags: Arran Isle Scotland Pirates Cove coast beach rock geology intimate abstract landscape image photograph photography
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I spent some time watching the cloud build and break over Holy Island, just off the east coast of Arran. This frame seemed to best capture the dramatic and exposed setting of the island.
Original photograph copyright © Simon Miles. Not to be used without permission. Thanks for looking.
Tags: Holy Island Arran Isle Scotland landscape scenic sky cloud sea storm stormy photograph photography image
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I spent a long time (too long) photographing these damn holes in the rock. Up close the rock looked like the surface of an alien world, an effect only enhanced by the blue cast from the sky. I never quite found the flowing composition I was after, and was initially disappointed with my efforts. However, having now had a little time to reflect, I do quite like this one, which at least has a nice feeling of depth and dimensionality to it.
Of course, an image like this lacks the popular appeal of a coastal vista or golden hour sunset. But this kind of abstract study of form and colour is probably my favourite genre of photography. They take time to compose and refine, but I enjoy the slow, immersive approach. What psychologists call entering the 'flow state', which is apparently very good for mental health. If nothing else, it gets me out of the house!
Original photograph copyright © Simon Miles. Not to be used without permission. Thanks for looking.
Tags: Scotland Arran Isle coast coastal rock stone holes pattern form abstract intimate nature natural landscape photograph photography
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UPDATE: Thanks to everyone for your comments on Explore, greatly appreciated.
The Scottish coast is pretty spectacular in general, but Arran has particularly nice rock patterns that provide wonderful subject matter - both for abstract studies and as here as foreground interest in a wider vista. And for mood and atmosphere, I'll take a stormy sky over direct sunlight every time.
Original photograph copyright © Simon Miles. Not to be used without permission. Thanks for looking.
Tags: Scotland Isle Arran coast shore sea ocean water rock sky cloud sunrise dawn landscape nature natural photograph photography
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There are plenty of small falls on Arran, many of them inland in the mountains and foothills. However, I came across this one just above the beach near Imacher Point. As always with this kind of image, there's no composition without a pleasing sense of movement flowing through the frame. But I also find many potentially photogenic waterfalls can't be photographed successfully because they are surrounded by too much clutter, most commonly overhanging trees and vegetation.
After a fair bit of shuffling to find the optimal camera position, I manage to exclude most of the unwanted distractions and isolate the falls against the dark rock. The white water was throwing up a lot of spray. Camera, lens and photographer were thoroughly soaked by the time I'd made my exposures. But I had time to dry off as I walked back along the beach for a hot drink back at the van.
Original photograph copyright © Simon Miles. Not to be used without permission. Thanks for looking.
Tags: Scotland Arran Isle waterfall river stream flow water rocks boulders landscape nature natural photograph photography
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