Missed Opportunities - Adventures in Landscape Photography

Exploring a new area in Scotland way back in May! I was pretty tired so I may not quite have made the most of the trip, but I still came away with a few images that I really love!
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[@henriborius6158]

Excellent public process

[@andrewfindlayphoto]

Nice to see you back posting videos. It's comforting to see we all have doubts and headless chicken days about what and when to shoot 🙂

[@alexnail]

Thanks Andrew. Yes pretty normal - I think many photographers stress too much!

[@rickbowdentube]

What an absolutely beautiful area. I understand why you don't want to tell the entire world where it is.

[@alexnail]

Thanks Rick - yes it’s not really to keep it to myself but rather that I don’t want to be even more part of the problem than I already am!

[@rickbowdentube]

@@alexnail totally understand that sentiment Alex.

[@Stillfilm1]

Beautiful scenes here Alex and I do appreciate your thought processes and advice. Thank you.

[@elliswoodphoto]

Cracking video mate and you captured some magical scenes!

[@alexnail]

Thanks Ellis’

[@kghareeb]

Thank you for taking us along.

[@rogerhoman8858]

Always a pleasure to see your photographs

[@tireeautomatik4537]

Looks like Azure Hawker territory. Stunning.

[@paulbruins9935]

Always thoughtful and interesting. Thanks Alex.

[@alexnail]

Thanks Paul

[@howardrankin7119]

Good to see you again. Beautiful location and, as ever, fascinating commentary on your creative process. That shot of the warm light on the tress with the mountain behind the lochan - the one you were most pleased with - is stunning.

[@kenkelchtermans6476]

What a beautiful place! It looks very overwhelming indeed, great pictures so far.

[@alexnail]

Yeah it's stunning! Thanks Ken

[@joelwolski]

I love how you walk through your thought process with your compositions. This is so much more valuable then knowing what camera settings you used. I often see scenes in the background of these sorts of videos and wonder why the photographer didn't make an image out of that. It was great to see you making those same assessments after the fact. I'm constantly looking at my own images and seeing the photo within the photo that I missed while in the field. It can be discouraging to feel alone in this process, but seeing you go through the same assessments is very encouraging. Thanks for another great video.

[@alexnail]

Thanks Joel! Ultimately I think photographers have to recognise that they can’t photograph absolutely everything and that missed opportunities are just part of being a photographer. Of course I miss a few more opportunities still when I am vlogging because it eats into my time and has me concentrating on other things!

[@richardwood6121]

Thanks for the vlog Alex, some stunning light and of course a beautiful location. Also thanks for not sharing the location, agree that some places can get overwhelmed with visitors. Great advice on compositions as ever.

[@alexnail]

Thanks Richard, yeah I mean its mixed messages from me because obviously on some level I'm very much advertising the location, but just trying to keep that to a minimum really.

[@carlreid4161]

You managed to get some great light there Alex, and those warm tones contrasted nicely with the cooler tones of the mountains. A bit of a Tompkins too I suspect to get to that location I’m left wondering if you took your inflatable kayak!

[@alexnail]

Yeah its a bit awkward to get to for sure. Thanks for the comment Carl :)

[@carlreid4161]

@@alexnail *Tompkins…spellchecker didn’t like yomp lol

[@ShaunM-xw1em]

Very enjoyable watch Alex. I always find your thoughts and explanations on composition most helpful. That's a wonderful spot spent many a happy hour there especially when the Midge are not about!

[@alexnail]

Yeah I can hardly imagine a worse spot for midges to be honest. I actually had a fair few on the following day, but nothing like what it could have been. It’s one of the reasons I probably won’t go back in the summer because I’m just not going to get midge free conditions like this again!

[@ShaunM-xw1em]

@@alexnail l can remember going there one early September and getting eaten alive by Midge! Still worth it though what a spot. Just time my visits now for the end of April in recent years.

[@GrahamWilliamson1985]

Superb as always Alex. I was camping on one of those islands during the festive period. It really is a spectacular area. Thanks for making. 👍👌

[@deryckstorey4826]

Very enjoyable video Alex. The scenery is stunning in that area and well worth keeping secret. Looking forward to the next vlog.

[@alexnail]

Thanks Deryck! Unfortunately I've seen first hand far too many times how the popularity of areas can snowball, resulting in damage and restrictions. I'd prefer it if I could avoid being a part of that at all, but at least by keeping the exact location unclear I put a small hurdle in the way!

[@VlogPhotography]

This is such a great video Alex. You raised some really interesting and valid points in this video. Such a beautiful location too. Thanks for sharing!

[@alexnail]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@NicolasAlexanderOtto]

I love those Caledonian Pines, enjoyed my stay in Glen Affric in 2017 - even though I somehow didn't come away with anything worthwhile. I guess I will have to come back one day and check out some other areas as well. Lovely video as per usual!

[@klinkeok]

Nice video Alex although I'm not really onboard with the secret agent stuff.

[@alexnail]

I think it’s a necessity. You only need to see a few places ruined by photographers…

[@windleman1]

Stunning location, and an enjoyable video. Do you only photograph the mountains or do you also photograph locations nearer to your home?

[@alexnail]

I *almost exclusively* photograph the mountains to be honest. It’s largely because I get a lot of satisfaction out of the combination of backpacking and photography, so experientially other landscape photography just isn’t as rich for me personally. It’s also part of my brand. That said I do some commissioned work in woodlands and cities from time to time as well as national tourist spots and I enjoy that work because I’m delivering to a brief which brings its own satisfaction. One point I would make is that in order to do mountain photography like I do, I would either have to live in a mountain area, or otherwise do what I currently do, which is go away for weeks at a time. If I take that latter approach then I actually need a lot of time at home anyway to catch up so photographing locally would put a lot more pressure on my time. Sorry for the ridiculously long answer :P

[@alenmilavec]

Great video Alex! Have you been to Slovenia? We have incredible landscapes

[@alexnail]

So I hear! No I haven’t been but I am sure I will at some point. Because of the carbon impact I have no plans to fly to the ends of the earth anymore (though I will still return to SA) so in future I will make more plans in Europe

[@nh-ss5pw]

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