trc Loc: Logan, OH

Photo taken July 20, 2014 around 8:30 am.. I have photos where the castle is larger and there is less foreground, but I wanted not only to include the water and vegetation in it, but also the little bit of blue sky and white clouds, hence, a smaller castle.

This is the only one where the blue sky shown through. It was just a brief moment of 'nice' weather! I used my Nikon 14-24mm lens on my D800, and the image focal length was 14 mm.

1). Do you think the castle is too small, appears too far away, and I should like another image taken where the castle appears larger, but with less foreground?

2). Just what are your thoughts on the overall composition, so I might improve upon my in-camera framing for this landscape shot and not rely on Post Processing cropping so much?

Thank you.

Best Regards,
Tom

Eileen Castle - A 13th Century Castle in Scotland

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Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

Hi, Tom,
Like you, I've photographed Eilean Donan Castle from every possible perspective and am of the opinion that it's impossible to make a bad image of that beautiful castle and its place in its surroundings. So what I'm saying is that you must determine the particular aspects of the site that affect you in the most positive ways and strive to capture exactly that. You clearly wanted the castle sited securely in its larger environment, and your 14mm focal length accomplished exactly that. One of my favorite views is from near the mainland end of the access bridge with the castle centered and made with a less wide-angle lens (28mm) that still exaggerated distances but yielded a nice sweep of the bridge from foreground to the castle, still viewed in its entirety and still against a goodly amount of water and hills.

Personally, I like his image you have posted very much...very much! And I don't have one like it.

Another view I've liked is one that includes some foreground gorse in bloom just to the side of an open view toward the arched bridge and castle....again , made with a medium wide-angle perspective.

Thanks much for posting. Your image giv me much pleasure!

Dave

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

Tom, I think your composition is excellent. It is almost a lesson in leading lines. Three distinct leading lines pulling the eye to the castle; the road/bridge, the line of rocks coming up from the lower left, and the distant water line. Even the lines in the clouds pull the eye to the castle. For a picture of this scale I do not think the castle is too small. I do find the foreground rocks and gorse to be distracting, especially with that turquoise pipe, or whatever it is. I would suggest you look at cropping the bottom just up to the point where the bottom edge of the bridge touches the bottom right corner. It makes that leading line as well as the line or rocks somewhat stronger.

trc Loc: Logan, OH

Dave,

I think you are absolutely correct. There are so many viewpoints the castle can be shot from, the photographer just has to decide which one they want to emphasize.

I have seen some shots taken from the other side of the bridge that I thought were impressive that gives a totally different perspective. In fact, I've seen one that looks like it was taken from the air that was quite different, but done very well.

I think it is a fascinating castle and the surrounding and supporting physical attributes all seem so apropos for this intriguing castle and Loch that is present. It makes me wonder how this particular location was chosen/decided upon as the place to build. Thanks for your most worthwhile critique.

Tom

trc Loc: Logan, OH

Don,

Yes, when I look at my image, it just seems like the lines are shouting for the viewer to keep walking up to the castle; it is the most obvious ending point to the pathway leading to the castle. In fact, I think the smaller size of the castle helps promote the path to the castle as if the journey to it is more exciting and my eyes feel like they accomplished a trek to finally reach the castle.

I honestly did not even pay any attention to that turquoise pipe when photographing - didn't even give it a second thought and really didn't even see it! Then when I got back to the States and saw it on my computer screen, I noticed it. For some reason, I just never really minded it enough to clone it out. It is amazing to me how the brain works or doesn't work with the eyes in respect to seeing distracting items in a photograph.

And, yes, I can understand that the immediate foreground could be distracting and busy. That is why I sometimes wish that more than one image or perspective of the same image could be posted in FYC by the OP, just for comparison sake. In fact, I would crop it, as you suggested, and post it to show the result of cropping out some of the foreground. I do have a slightly different photo that does not include quite so much foreground which promotes a little different impression or perspective of the castle.

Thanks very much - very valid and appreciated comments, and always good to hear what others see, and recommendations offered, that make the image appear to the viewer's eyes much differently.

Tom

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Lovely image of a lovely place, nicely composed and I agree with the notion that the turquoise pipe ought to go away. It is an image with a variety of other images potentially living inside - crops, variant processing, etc.

AND YES YOU CAN - post variations of the same image or similar/connected images in the threads you start here. You are not restricted to one image or version. There is no limit though if you posted dozens in one thread your viewers might get overwhelmed and fail to give their best feedback. You can post edits in the same thread, ask/allow others to post their edits, etc. We are very flexible in this section because FYC is more about the conversation than anything else.

trc Loc: Logan, OH

Minnie,

Thank you very much for your praise, your opinion about the turquoise pipe, and also the information about posting more than one image in FYC. To me, that just seems to make sense, but most the time what makes sense to me is often wrong - and I am a majority of one!

I will probably add an image or improvement rendition (taking out that turquoise pipe) a little later this morning, but prior commitments are now shouting at me, so I must go tend to those right now. See you later this morning. Thanks again very much.

Tom

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I really like the castle's size in the frame. I can see its relationship to the countryside and enjoy the beauty you found there.

I also agree with other comments about your strong composition. Love the photo, Tom!

trc Loc: Logan, OH

Thank you Linda. You are a kind lady and your comments are much appreciated. If and when I get a chance, I plan on uploading another image (or rendition) or two sometime today. Then everyone can compare and tell me what they think.

Tom

Dave Chinn

Tom, I can't add anymore to what has already been said. Very well done though. The pipe that has been mentioned isn't a deal breaker for me and as you know is an easy fix if it is.
Dave

trc Loc: Logan, OH

Don (and dave, too),

I cropped it as I think I understood what you were saying? If not, please feel free to crop the first image I posted to the way you suggested.

I am also uploading my original with the turquoise pipe cloned out.

Lastly, I am also including another different, but similar image I had taken that day during our visit.

Feel free to have at it with comments and/or renditions of any of the images I have uploaded.

Anyone else who is interested or has ideas, they are also welcome to make changes, so that all of us can actually see what you may recommend.

Thank you,
Tom

Original, but no Turquoise Pipe

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Original cropped to my understanding from Don

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Eilean Castle Different Image (#2)

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trc Loc: Logan, OH

Dave,

Thanks very much for your assessment and comments. I just uploaded 3 images to the same thread based on recommendations, and a new one from the same day, but no blue sky and more dismal/overcast conditions. Thanks, my friend,

Tom

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Comparing the two, I'd personally go with a little less crop. But more important than minor changes there, I want to talk about the other viewpoint shot.

Wowsa! You did a fantastic job with the sky, making it ominous and oppressive, yet it doesn't overpower the castle or the overall scene at all IMO. Any darker or more detailed would change the story; this one is perfect - for me :)

I also love the long view. This is now my favorite shot of the two! (I'm sure it helps that I just expect Scotland to be cloudy - lol)

Re the composition: I wonder if there was a bit more of the bridge's arch on the right to show us? And maybe a bit of trim off the bottom:

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

Tom, I guess I didn't describe my suggested crop very well. This is what I had in mind.

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trc Loc: Logan, OH

That was how I composed the shot right out of camera. Sorry, no more bridge to show in that one. However, I have another one that may be more like what you are asking about and more to your liking compositionally. I will upload it. Take a look and see what you think.

Tom

Eilean Castle Image #3

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