Rattray Lighthouse Landscape Photography

In this video, I set out to capture great landscape photography at the incredible Rattray Lighthouse.
Last week, I embarked on a five-day road trip across Scotland, and on one particular day, I chose Rattray Lighthouse as my destination. Although I had seen several images of the lighthouse before, I had never visited in person, to say I was beyond excited was an understatement! The conditions were perfect: great weather, excellent lighting, and the ideal tide height.
Beyond the obvious charm of the golden hour, I couldn't have asked for a better day. Sure, a dramatic storm, a rainbow, a sea eagle soaring overhead, or even huge waves crashing against the lighthouse might have added some extra pizazz, but overall, the day was fantastic!
I believe I managed to capture some truly decent images. Despite the contrast of a dark sea against a lighter sky, I succeeded in creating a fine art shot that I'm thrilled to print.
I hope you enjoy the film, and please feel free to leave a comment.
Regards,
Gary
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[@timlarge7420]

"lots of nothing is really good" a great quote I must reuse

[@slannne]

Awesome Gary. Apart from your photography which is inspiring, your enthusiasm is infectious. Thank you.

[@GaryGough]

Many thanks 👍👍

[@krazyk57]

I would concur…

[@MetaphorTravel]

definitely ... the final shot - the lighthouse framed by the grasses - 120 seconds in color. Just gorgeous!

[@GaryGough]

Thank you 👍👍

[@randyschwager84]

Killer images…as always! Attention to detail is so important! Thanks for taking me along!

[@durhamsnapper9426]

You never fail to deliver Gary in all aspects whether that be in images or entertainment. Everyone who follow you will I am sure will recognise your commitment and communication skills .What you share in teaching us all is really appreciated.

[@timsatterfield1794]

Great images of grass also

[@GaryGough]

Thank you 👍👍

[@robryan4272]

That last photo is special.

[@GaryGough]

Thank you 👍👍

[@christianpatton1852]

I agree!

[@marktaylor9579]

Stunning!👌👌👌

[@ruddyrutherford]

Good to see you up at my end of the country. Rattray head is one of my favourite locations to shoot despite that road. Great to see your take of the location. Hope you explored more of the area and enjoyed your stay

[@julieboyle170]

Four hours well spent. What an amazing location with so much to capture your imagination. The images are superb.

[@GaryGough]

Thank you 👍👍

[@AndyMG1965]

Yet another awesome video, oozing enthusiasm. Love your work Gary

[@stephendavenport5654]

Another great vlog Gary. Amazing images.

[@jimmymcdonnell9435]

Great video, Gary. Images superb as always. Inspiring. Jimmy

[@jamesollis]

Excellent video. Cannot wait to visit Scotland one day!!

[@GaryGough]

Cheers James, Thank you 👍👍

[@SloopJohnBeeRockabilly]

Great images and top video as ever 👍 Yup, you can never leave your shoot too late. The blue hour can often be the killer shot man 👍📸

[@599miata]

Great photos , Gary.👌

[@GaryGough]

Thank you 👍👍

[@garethfish4154]

Blimey Gary, what a place. You also shared with your enthusiasm, how to think beyond the immediate shot and play with shutter speed and composition. It should be standard practice but too often I do one thing eg: the long exposure and walk away feeling chuffed. Missed opportunities!😊

[@scotttilleyphotography]

Lovely set of images Gary, one of our favourite locations! Hope you got to see Slains Castle a bit further down the coast while up in Aberdeenshire, we are still waiting to capture it with haar fog coming off the sea!👌👌👍👍

[@GaryGough]

I looked the Castle but decided against it. It's amazing but the weather was too sunny. Next time!

[@davidwilliams4839]

Awesome video Gary. Your enthusiasm is so contagious. I can completely relate.Cheers from Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada.

[@GaryGough]

Cheers David, Thank you 👍👍

[@jamessaxon3859]

Incredible images. Thanks for sharing.

[@MaliDaviesPhotography]

There's a real sense pure enjoyment, not just ticking boxes is so so true, as always a fabulous collection of photographs. I liked the last images as well with the Marram grasses. Reet I gotta go Perch Rock to fill the missing void 😁and make a video about how I had my North Ridge Jacket first...

[@GaryGough]

It's a great jacket, mind you, I'm surprised they do them large enough for you :) See you soon xx

[@MaliDaviesPhotography]

@ 🤣🧥

[@PhilT993]

Very nicely done, Gary! I enjoyed your video and your results. You are lucky to have such a beautiful scene to play with. Cheers, Phil

[@RobertToull]

well done Gary, brilliant.

[@Northumberland.55]

Fantastic place and your right about that track /pothole , my first time there and I was thinking this cannot be the right way .

[@GaryGough]

It's mental :) Thank you 👍👍

[@keithpinn152]

Hi Gary: Thanks for creating and sharing this video. What a honey-pot location! The images that you captured are incredible and very inspiring. Keep well. . . . Keith (Canada)

[@FriedhelmM.Messinger]

Hallo Gary! Ihre Art zu kommentieren, ist herrlich und Ihre Videos sind hervorragend, ganz herzlichen Dank! Grüße Messi

[@flyhigh1286]

Great - like it so much👍🙂

[@bennyfeng95]

Gary will always make me want to photograph！ Thanks!

[@sbuchan74]

Great video as always Gary, I live about 15 minutes from Rattray Lighthouse and know all about that road... If you come here again after the easter storms at low tied the shifting sands expose an old wooden shipwreck that ran aground in 1881. once your down on the beach walk for 20minutes towards St Fergus gas terminal and you'll find it.

[@GaryGough]

Oh cool. I'll definitely be back xx

[@toke7560]

Gary. ALL your pictures are superb.

[@Biscuit761YT]

Thought I might pop along there for a quick photo after seeing this one, 604 miles from home 😮, will have to go another time I think. Another super video Gary

[@Ricky-j5k]

A subject and location that keeps us in our happy place. It’s great to see your enthusiasm in your videos. Love the images! Thanks Gary!

[@conglomeration59]

Your enthusiasm amazes me every video you produce! Amazing photos every time! Thank you.

[@GaryGough]

Very kind, thank you 👍👍

[@juanitakelly3082]

I've watched other videos on this location and am loving your perspective on it with all the variations. Thanks for taking the time to photograph going there and doing the reveal also.

[@GaryGough]

My pleasure!

[@nigelbramley6289]

What a dream of a location and you're so right, why not explore every conceivable way of getting an image. Magical stuff photographically and location wise.

[@derekwillson2538]

Hi Gary I've not contacted you for a while but I just wanted to say your work still inspires me and todays shoot was amazing, cheers Derek

[@maggiebarclay4442]

Aww Gary, I actually got a wee bit sentimental watching your appreciation of this wee piece of Scotland. Very much one of my favourite locations, I've visited many times and have loved seeing it through your eyes. Your enthusiasm is infectious, and you've set off a strong desire to visit in the near future. Your images are just stunning and really really inspire me. Thank you!!

[@GaryGough]

Many thanks xx

[@spid7223]

Fantastic images Gary

[@GaryGough]

Cheers

[@tmeeten3195]

Love love love the grasses ones at the end. Of course the minimalistic ones are stunning too. What a beautiful place. Thank you for taking us there.

[@jaycee6981]

Great pictures and video of Rattray Head lighthouse. On my first visit I spent five hours exploring different compositions, and I have been back since to take more. Each visit I manage to see another different photo opportunity. No doubt I will be back again this year when I make a visit to Troup Head to photograph the gannets.

[@LynneLuxonJonesphotography]

18:20...color or mono ,just superb Gary 👌

[@GaryGough]

Thanks Lynne xx

[@mainline464]

Beautiful images, love your videos

[@Aaronhoodphotography]

Great photos.

[@nickreid8927]

Beautiful images, love the fact that the long exposure can make the lighthouse look like it's almost on sand even though it's in the sea. You really captured the desolate feel and love the final shot with the movement in the grass.

[@GaryGough]

Cheers Nick 👍👍

[@joareza1915]

Awesome photos!!!

[@philpetrie]

1stly Gary , the road down to the lighthouse leaves nothing to the Imagination , it's a bloody disgrace , how these people that own those flat's down there don't do something about it I'll never know , now then , I wish that you had contacted me before heading of here as there is a boat wreck a few hundred yards up the beach , it would have suited you right down to the ground , once again , a lovely set of Images from here , I have spent many an hour down here in all conditions and still cant get enough of it , you will be back , mark my words L.O.L.

[@GaryGough]

Cheers Phil. I think it was your picture that inspired me to visit this location. I'll contact you when I return. The boat wreck sounds interesting.

[@ilesmic]

Great Video-- Fantastic location - I love the first shots but in color-- the beach shots in the middle are nice and so I like in B&W and the grass and dune shots I love in color-- Glad you keep inspiring me to try and get the most out of locations-- Great job and your smile while out doing what you love is infectious.

[@GaryGough]

Many thanks! 👍👍

[@conniequinton371]

What a wildly windy day and an outstanding bunch of awesome captures! thank you for showing.

[@mattcrow8381]

Beautiful images. Great video. Thanks for continuing to capture and share your experiences with us.

[@GaryGough]

Cheers Matt 👍👍

[@lkphoto1]

Great location and video. Love the shots🤩👍👏

[@GaryGough]

Thanks a lot!

[@jameswakefield3873]

Sublime long exposure images truly breathtaking, what an incredible location 😍

[@blonko86]

Brilliant, again, Gary! Just brilliant.

[@GaryGough]

Thank you 👍👍

[@Johnmell100]

Great images Gary, thanks for sharing them with us.

[@GaryGough]

Cheers John, Thank you 👍👍

[@Joe-B1]

Amazing shots as always Gary and love your vlogs so keep them coming please.

[@GaryGough]

Cheers Joe Thank you 👍👍

[@AdamMatthewsPhotography]

I have to admit, these might be some of my favourite photos of yours I've seen. Lovely work!! And another great video, as always 🙂

[@JohnDoranski]

Holley - thank you for expanding my international vocabulary. I had to pause and ask Seri. I see also that there are several different ways to spell the word. love your photography and today’s video is great. Love that road.

[@GaryGough]

Hoolie is such a great word 😁😁 Cheers John xx

[@MrRobin61]

Love your work ...always so inspiring !

[@GaryGough]

Cheers 👍👍

[@larsalfredson2752]

Just love your approach to all that negative space- inspiring beutiful pics 👍

[@GaryGough]

Thanks so much!

[@bryanashford5118]

another great video and top draw photography cant wait for more

[@GaryGough]

Cheers 👍👍

[@davidbreeze448]

A very nice set of images Gary. The grass on sand dunes I have always known as Marram Grass, the tip of which can be a bit like a needle and can scratch or penetrate your skin, take care.

[@GaryGough]

Many thanks. I forgot the word when I was there :)

[@antonoat]

Beautiful images Gary! Love yout enthusiasm too!

[@GaryGough]

Thank you 👍👍

[@Kevin-k7m1t]

Great location, fantastic photos as always. You seem to find a lot of good compositions and execute the shot perfectly. Always things to learn from watching your videos and getting inspiration to go shoot myself.

[@GaryGough]

Cheers Kevin Thank you 👍👍

[@johnbaker7819]

Fab work Gary and as always, so inspiring too👌

[@stephenthompson1998]

Gary you certainly obtained some great images can’t pick one favourite too many to choose from.👍👍👍

[@heinvanderpoel3]

You are amazing guy Gary!! Thanks again for this positive, enthousiastic, inspiring post!! WAUW!!

[@gary.kenyon]

Stunning Shots

[@GaryGough]

Cheers Gary xx

[@idl4236]

Gary, I Loved the video and images.Thank you

[@GaryGough]

Thank you 👍👍

[@randymelton6096]

Very nicely done sir. You absolutely hit the nail on the head by saying you've got to try everything possible while at a location. It's easy to say I'll come back and shoot it again. The problem with that is we don't know when or if we might be able to go back and if we do manage to, the light and conditions will never be the same as now while you're already there. It's very rare that I get the opportunity to spend 4 hours by myself shooting. On those rare occasions when I do it seems like only 5 or 10 minutes have passed at the end of 4 hours. Keep up the wonderful work.

[@KeithHobart-f7z]

Great video and pics Gary. I live approximately 30 miles from away from this place. Very popular with photographers. Also worth taking pics at low tide as there are some rocks that can be added to the foreground 😊

[@johnyoung1606]

Always Glorious Photos !!!!!!!!! Luv Your Enthusiasm !!!!!!!!!! :) :) :)

[@GaryGough]

Thanks! 👍👍

[@eugenebrooking321]

Awesome images Gary!

[@PMCN53]

Fantastic to watch Gary.. Love the images

[@paulbell9957]

Beautiful images Gary from a stunning location 👍🙂

[@GaryGough]

Cheers Paul 👍👍

[@kevinnichols623]

Fantastic shots gary 👏 great vlog...hope you had hot coffee with you,it looked freezing 🥶 cold.....keep up the great work mate 👍

[@GaryGough]

Coffee and a bacon sarni was the order of the day Kevin :)

[@kevinnichols623]

Outstanding 😜

[@composedlight6850]

Well done you worked that location very well :)

[@GaryGough]

Cheers 👍👍

[@aubgoodwinSRCphotography]

some great images as per big G i was there about 4 years ago never known wind like it our bags were covered in sand within minutes of putting them down great location but the track to it is something else ! keep shooting see u when the fog lifts 📷👍

[@paultrunfull3324]

Nice one Gary

[@GaryGough]

Cheers Paul 👍👍

[@WendyR-f4i]

This was beautiful, you make me want to learn everything!!

[@GaryGough]

Go for it!

[@Lindsay_Brunton]

Brilliant captures Gary!

[@GaryGough]

Thanks Lindsay 👍👍

[@TheHutchMusic]

Gary I love your enthusiasm... it's infectious !!! Thank you have inspired me to try long exposure and I just bought my first 10 Stop ND filter to try out. :-)

[@Scotphotoamateur]

Wonderful how the breaking waves around base of lighthouse give a whiteness that looks like a pool of light

[@BuenaventuraRL]

¡QUÉ FOTOS TAN BONITAS!

[@GaryGough]

Amable de dicir, grazas

[@stephenoliver7386]

Excellent thanks for sharing 🙂

[@GaryGough]

Cheers 👍👍

[@robertleem5643]

Absolutely stunning photos, I have a architecture competition coming up soon was after some ideas when your video popped up

[@GaryGough]

Hope it helped :)

[@fandangofandango2022]

Doing a Great Job here Sir.

[@nickyfoulkes8476]

Even as a photographer, I like to watch and observe at a scene. It’s often then you notice a composition that may well have passed you bye. I take it the lobster pot was a no go.We all have plenty of images like that. Plenty of nothing, but give so much to the photographic community.

[@GaryGough]

The lobster pot looked a little disheveled so I didn't bother. Everyone loves a little negative space. Take care Nicky xx

[@gordonbaird1949]

Braw images Sir.. One of my favourite locations.. In the summer months you can get the Puffins at Bullers of Buchan 16 miles south of Rattray lighthouse another great location..

[@kmac2555]

Great video. I am surprised you used such a large F stop on some with the inherent diffraction that occurs. As a long time follower this is a new thing for you.

[@GaryGough]

Diffraction isn't an issue when using good lenses. Plus, if you intend to flatten water and blurr skies, you're not going to notice any diffraction in the frame.

[@kmac2555]

@ beg to disagree diffraction happens with every lens it’s the physics of optics. In my job as a Focus puller on feature films I use lenses of extreme quality & resolution but once past T11 every lens gets softer.

[@NorbertGünther-u8v]

Top!

[@DonalMcDonnell]

Fab.

[@viviennenoble4035]

What a beautiful place. My favorites were the ones without the grasses. Did anyone live in this lighthouse at one time. If they did, I can imagine in a big sea, hearing the waves crash against the walls.. Scary.

[@Stephen-cd1id]

Fab pictures as ever, I live in windy Wellington NZ and iam easily swayed not to go out taking pictures on a windy day because of camera wobble. Watching this Iam going to stop making excuses lol 👍🙏

[@bcegerton]

It’s ok to go to a place and just tick boxes, if it’s a place you visit regularly or it’s not too far away so it’s easy to get back to, but to travel to a place like this you really need to get the shots to originally intended to but then try other shots. A longer, or shorter exposure, fast shots, various compositions etc, not just “ Tick Boxes “ as you say. Great video Gary, I tried some “Fine Art” style shots at Mary’s Shell yesterday but I couldn’t find the only 2 Filters I own for my Sony A7iii as I’ve not had it too long so had to use my Fuji Xt3 as I still own a set of Magnetic Filters for that, only up to a 10 Stop though, I really want something higher for my Sony. I am stuck with a small budget so rather than buy a cheaper set I’m going to buy just one or two plus holder if needed, then buy more as I go, most likely I’ll get a CPL + 10 Stop to start as that’s what I seem to use the most. Any ideas for a Good but not crazy expensive set? I won an expensive set a few years ago, no good for me at the time as they were way to large for a little Fuji and I could do with the cash more than the filters at the time, feel gutted now though as they’d be perfect lol. Any advice is greatly appreciated

[@ronsmith8340]

The title surprised me, Gary Gough in Rattray Head? Welocme to my stomping ground, I live in Fraserburgh which is just up the coast some. I have to say though, never seen it looking better.

[@YoBroz-ix5rq]

Hi Gary. As always i enjoy your positive intentions so much. Thank you. By the way, if you don't already have could you maybe once give some insights on some easy Nikon Z8 video settings you're maybe using? I never really found an easy way to just shoot some basic footage. Reimund

[@daviddaw999]

At around 12:00 you mention the kind of people who enjoy an environment such as the place you are and you mention naturists. My bet is that one would wait an awfully long time for a naturist to come along in the north of Scotland. Do you mean naturalists? That aside, this was a great video - thanks, Gary.

[@SpencerPullenPhotography]

Great video as always! I see you are using a 3-way head. I’m guessing you like it over a ball head? Have you tried a geared head? Keep up the great work!

[@GaryGough]

I go between a geared head and 3-way. My 3-way isn't the best when it's really windy. I never use ball-heads.

[@SpencerPullenPhotography]

@ Which gear head do you recommend?

[@MrRobin61]

Gary , I still got to get used to your van color 😉

[@GaryGough]

Me too :)

[@280bunny]

Lesson learnt, don't rush, take every conceivable shot from every angle! Process in different ways! Fabulous images as always. A question, do you ever combine your 10 & 15 shot filters, or is that just stupid?😀

[@vperalta]

Wonderful images. One question; the images with the camera information don't indicate what, if any, FD filter was used. Can you elucidate?

[@GaryGough]

I explained the process in the video. Sorry if it wasn't clear enough. I generally use a 10-stop filter and poloriser.