Stay at home

[SuperjohnG]

Wonderful photographs. Although lugging a 5d up there would be no mean feat!

On a totally separate off topic note, now following you on flickr, your picture of the three sisters is unreal!!

[colgregg]

You didn't really expect it to be quiet, or free from the slightly clueless, did you?

I suppose I should have realised it would be like that, just hadn't seen it as bad before

I went up on a mixed weather day midweek and had the valley to myself.

[Mountainlove]

First at all- wonderful photos - they are great!!

As for walking in trainers and jeans...I have seen porters in Nepal in Trainers and Flip Flops walking through ice and snow...they simply did not had money for trainers or any other type of hiking footwear.

When I started hill walking (Goatfell) I was wearing jeans and high heeled boots- a thick heel I have to say, but a heel!!!

Jeans are not very comfortable, but we wear them all the time. If it is a dry and sunny day why not wear trainers? We run Marathons in them. Hill runners wear them. Why should Tourists who have nothing else with them not wear them to experience the hills?

[xpfloyd]

Thanks superjohng, I used to lug a tripod too but that's what sickened me from doing it after lugging all the weight a few times and getting zero photos. I decided to give taking the camera only a try this weekend and glad I did

[xpfloyd]

Why should Tourists who have nothing else with them not wear them to experience the hills?

As I've been saying it's not just the fact they are wearing trainers, it's the fact that they also didn't have maps, didn't look like they had food or water, didn't really know where they were or where they were heading etc

Granted there is a path to the lost valley and back but for the ones with higher aspirations I just feel they are not realising the potential dangers if the weather was to suddenly change (which it didn't). I'm by no means saying people should not enjoy the hills like I do but I still class myself as a novice even though I've been doing it for a while now

[macq23]

wow utterly stunning photos....how do you produce photos like that...or is that a trade secret?

[xpfloyd]

:thumbup: wow utterly stunning photos....how do you produce photos like that...or is that a trade secret?

Thanks mac, and no secrets

1 - If your camera has the option to shoot in RAW instead of jpeg then do that.
2 - Post process the RAW files - I use Adobe Lightroom but there are many alternatives
(RAW files contain more dynamic range than jpegs so it's easier to recover shadows etc than it is with a jpeg. They also allow non-destructive editing as opposed to editing a jpeg which is pixel manipulation. If you shoot in jpeg the camera is doing the post processing for you with a pre-defined preset. Doing it yourself afterwards gives you more control. RAW or jpeg they are both post processed)
3 - When post processing a simple tweak of the contrast, clarity and saturation is all it can take to make an average shot a great shot. Some people hear post processing and think you are going nuts with it (which you can if you want) but often the subtle tweaks give the best outcomes
4 - Spend an unhealthy amount of time reading up stuff on a photography forum such as POTN (optional )
5 - if shooting landscapes try shooting at or around sunset or sunrise for best results. Obviously this isn't always possible if taking shots whilst walking munros. Harsh midday sun is probably the worst time.

Hope that helps a bit

Eddie

[Wanderlust7]

Well done on your report it is a great moutain to climb. I done it in July and it was an amazing day, I saw all the AE ridge and all of Ben Nevis, but my talent in photography is certainly not as good as your own, they really are quite impressive pictures.

Further I am also inclined to agree on people dressed inappropraitely for TGO, but I also suspect some would have been up to the valley and no further, still each to their own. I am sure your pictures shall inspire others to wander up this fine mountain.

I am looking forward to it in the snow now..........

[xpfloyd]

Thanks wanderlust

[Jabber]

Great phots! Bidean is an awesome peak especially when ascending from Aonach Dubh's west face.

[macq23]

Cheers Eddie for the tips & forum

[xpfloyd]

Thanks jabber and no probs mac

[Johnny Corbett]

Great photos and a wee bit controversy thrown in as well, love it.