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| In this month's newsletter... | |
| IMAGE OF THE MONTH | |
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| The Quiraing, Skye, Scotland | |
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I've been to Skye a few times and so have lots of other photographers. I've photographed this spectacular view before and so have lots of other photographers. I'd like to say my image here is better, different or perhaps more edgy than what's been done before, but the truth is that it isn't. So why present it here? It had been raining - and I mean horrible horizontal stuff - for days. At dawn on this particular morning it was still raining but we took a chance. An hour later as the clouds scudded and the wind succumbed to a breeze, we stood overlooking this geological amphitheatre as a pair of golden eagles scolded agitating ravens above, all grateful for an opportunity to finally take to the air. 'We' was a fine bunch of tour guests and just for once, the final image was not as important as just being there. The camera is indeed a marvel of technology but thankfully, there are some things - like just being there - that it will never be able to record. BEHIND THE LENS: The timing was important here - inky brooding clouds provided theatre but little foreground light, whilst empty sky is sort of, well, empty. Some modelling light on the hills plus some drama above is the perfect cocktail - aided by 4 stops of soft edge graduated filter to balance the tonal range. Three members of our group have been cloned off the rocky plateau (the day before we were all nearly blown off!) f16 @1 second, ISO100 if you're interested. |
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| PHOTO-TOUR NEWS AND OFFERS | |
 Where did October go? We're just back from our Ultimate Autumn Gold tour to the Cairngorms and Skye (see above) which followed hot on the heels of Wild West Coast on Lewis and Harris. Both trips reminded me of how fickle the Scottish weather can be but at the same time, what a fantastic landscape the weather sculpts - you just have to be patient.The enjoyment of any tour often comes down to the people you share your time with and we've been very lucky over the years to meet some great guests. These last two trips were no exception so thanks to all involved. You can read about our Wild Wild West tour here and I'd also like to share this gallery from long-standing guest Anita Stokes who shows what can be achieved in ostensibly 'bad weather'. Keep an eye on the blog for some Skye pictures once I get around to processing (that'll be next year then!) |
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| Winter Wildlife | |
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We can't guarantee snow - either too little or too much - but we can guarantee the best winter wildlife photography around. If you've never been to the Cairngorms in winter you really ought to try it (preferably with Northshots!) |
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| Norwegian Northern Lights | |
| Our mid-winter tour to arctic Norway has just two places available and with spectacular coastlines, Aurora Borealis and Niall Benvie's astute thinking on offer, this is a tour that's sure to beat the winter blues. Contact us now if you'd like to book. | |
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| See if it pings! | |
I was recently introduced to the ghastly new management jargon of "stick it in the microwave and see if it pings!" I'm obviously not in tune with modern-day management speak but here are some of the ideas in the microwave just now, so let us know if any 'ping' with you! Just drop us a line to register your interest.
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| IN OTHER NEWS... | |
| New Frontiers | |
Our New Frontiers AV show will be hitting the road this month with the following dates:
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| 2020VISION | |
 2020VISION is about communicating big ideas to rebuild our natural ecosystems. The project's 20 photographers have now spent over a year in the field gathering the material which will establish in the public mind the crucial link between healthy nature and healthy people. If you're not presently following 2020VISION, visit the web site for all the latest news, blog entires etc. You can also follow 2020VISION on Facebook and Twitter.There will shortly be a dedicated 2020VISION gallery on the Nature Picture Library site from which all images can be sourced. In the meantime, view the growing collection by visiting the NPL site and searching '2020VISION'. |
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| New podcast | |
| Keep an eye on our web site for a new One 2 One podcast interview with wildlife specialist Danny Green. Danny tells us about his boyhood love of nature and his adult love of breakfasts - pearls of wisdom indeed! | |
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| CALEDONIA | |
| Don't forget to order your copy of Caledonia in time for Christmas - or take advantage of our special discount offer combining our latest title with Tooth & Claw (contains lots of great material for a post Christmas dinner debate on Britain's predators!) | |
| A.M.A.N.D.A (Amanda's Musings AND Anecdotes) | |
| In Amanda's latest blog she tells us about Wildphotos - the one time in the year when she seems to actually enjoy looking at photographs - aided no doubt by a couple of nights in a swish hotel! Read it here. | |
We have just a handful of places left on our programme of 
Mark Hamblin will be venturing into Finland's boreal forest in late June 2012 to photograph both brown bears and that most elusive of northern predators, the wolverine. Rarely seen let alone photographed, we have access to Finland's best wolverine location. Details are presently being finalised.
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