Hello

[David Robertson]

I can't quite remember how I came across OPF but I immediately bookmarked it because I recognised quite a few names and because I could see the forum already becoming a wealth of information in a friendly atmosphere.

I'm a stock photographer mainly specialising in Scotland, its landscapes and cityscapes, and distribute my work through several agencies/portals. If you are interested, the best way to find out more is to visit my website http://www.scot-image.co.uk. This one gallery shows off some of my favourite images http://www.scot-image.co.uk/Favourites/index.htm

Initially, I used to shoot 6x7 but began shooting digital 3 years ago and have found the swap quite difficult in some ways. With transparencies, the picture was useable, or it was not. Now, with digital processing, I find there are so many choices that its easy to get bogged down and I have been very frustrated with the poor colour from the various RAW processors I have tried. But I have just discovered Silkypix and am stunned at how easy I can get a realistic and pleasing colour - I really look forward to a batch of RAW processing now.

I hope that I can contribute some knowledge to the forum but I suspect, at this stage in my digital learning curve, that I'll be asking more questions than answering.

Kind regards

David Robertson

 

[Mary Bull]

Welcome to David Robertson

Hello David,

I went to your favorites gallery, your Scot-image section. I was particularly interested in the images you have of Scotland, because I was there on my one trip outside the U.S. borders, in 2003.

I like all your pictures, but I particularly liked
Scotland-Highland-Eilean-Donan-Castle-004.tif /

I made quite a few pictures of castles while I was in Scotland--my home base while there was Glasgow--including Threave and Castle Dangerous. How I long to go back again and see the Highlands, which there wasn't time to do on my 2003 trip.

In closing, let me join everyone else--they're sure to start replying to you soon--in extending you a hearty welcome to OPF.

Mary,
amateur lover of photographs

 

[David Robertson]

Hi Mary,

Many thanks for your welcome and kind comments.

I have to admit that I did not know where Castle Dangerous was, but a quick Google reveals that it is Castle Douglas. An elderly friend's motto is "to learn something every day". Well, I have today, thanks.

Kind regards

David

 

[Mary Bull]

Yes, Castle Douglas. My grandmother's maiden name was Douglas, and so I claim part ownership of all the Douglas castles.

I've found your on-line Glasgow collection, now. After a quick peruse, my favorite of those is
Scotland-Glasgow-Clyde-Govan-Shipyard-002.tif

I remember those cranes.

 

[David Robertson]

Yes, Castle Douglas. My grandmother's maiden name was Douglas, and so I claim part ownership of all the Douglas castles.
QUOTE]

That sounds fair enough to me!

There is a lot of new developments underway along the Clyde, so there will be plenty of new photo opportunities comong soon. Edinburgh is my city of choice though.

 

[Mary Bull]

Edinburgh is my city of choice though.

For three years I've been feeling deprived that I didn't get that far east in Scotland. There wasn't time to do that and spend the few days in Ireland that my nephew and his wife, my traveling companions, wanted to spend there. Plus the time in Northern England. I wouldn't have missed any of it for the world.

The chief reason, originally, that I wanted to go to Glasgow was to attend the four performances of Wagner's Ring at the Scottish National Opera. And I got that wish, plus many bonuses.

I've been looking at all those vacation photos and selected one, a snapshot of the bronze statue of Lord Roberts, to offer Asher to use in the retouch forum. And he said he would use it. So I'm on cloud 9.

It's from a Kodak throwaway camera. I was holding the camera slightly off-kilter, as the image demonstrates. And it was misting rain, though some blue sky shows among the gray and white clouds. A lot wrong with the picture. But I hoped the pros and gifted amateurs here could clean it up for me.

Best wishes,
Mary

 

[nicolas claris]

Bonjour David
welcome here!
My wife and I do love Scotland and have spent many holydays from West to North.
Even when raining (a few days per year, no more of course;-)) light and landscape are beautifull and people so welcoming...
It happened once (in 1990 may be) that we drove from Paris to Kimlockerbie for a 3 days trip, just to see seals!
and we did see one in the harbour....
Needless to say that the hotel owner was completely amazed when We told him why we came and for how long!!!!
Then, we shared with him a good red wine bottle from Australia!
One of my best souvenirs.

Cheers and welcome

 

[Gary Ayala]

... Then, we shared with him a good red wine bottle from Australia!
One of my best souvenirs.

Cheers and welcome

A Frenchman admitting that "good" wine may come from lands not under French control???? What is this world coming to... lol

A warm welcome to you as well David ... but the statement by Nicolas shocked me.

Gary

 

[nicolas claris]

A Frenchman admitting that "good" wine may come from lands not under French control???? What is this world coming to... lol

A warm welcome to you as well David ... but the statement by Nicolas shocked me.

Gary

Gary
Have you noticed I'm from Bordeaux? ;-)

A good wine is also the one that tastes perfectly with the moment, the place and the people you share it with...
I don't see what is shocking there.

Cheers
What shocks me if that good Scoth brewed Scoth is cheaper in French (and surely elsewhere) supermarkets than in Scotland...

 

[David Robertson]

Thank you Nicolas and Gary.

Don't get me started, please. It seems to me that most things in the UK can be bought cheaper elsewhere. That includes fuel, camera equipment and whisky

 

[Don Lashier]

What shocks me if that good Scoth brewed Scoth is cheaper in French (and surely elsewhere) supermarkets than in Scotland...

Taxes? When I was in El Salvador Marlboro's were 80 cents while they were three dollars in the US, Dunhills were $1 versus $5 in the US. Liquor was similarly cheaper (sinner's heaven?).

- DL

 

[Colin Jago]

Eilean Donan

I like all your pictures, but I particularly liked
Scotland-Highland-Eilean-Donan-Castle-004.tif /

It must have taken a long time Photoshopping out all the midges ;-)

Hi, David. A nice take on Eilean Donan (which happens to be on my route to the supermarket).

On a quick flip through your stock set, the one which made me linger was:

Scotland, Skye, to Uists 001.tif

Magic!

 

[nicolas claris]

Skye Island, as many others in Scotland, IS magic!
This doesn't mean that David's photo aren't!

 

[nicolas claris]

On a quick flip through your stock set, the one which made me linger was:

Scotland, Skye, to Uists 001.tif

Hi Colin
In this case, it would have been easier for all of us that you post the link to the image, it would be faster to see what you like as David's gallery is huge (with plenty magical images ;-)...

 

[David Robertson]

Here is the link to the Uists image http://www.scot-image.co.uk/High-S-Misc/Scotland,%20Skye,%20to%20Uists%20001.htm

(this gallery needs tidying up a bit so the above link will die soon - so try http://www.scot-image.co.uk/High-S-Misc/index.htm if it does not work.

Hi Colin, glad you like it. I'm slightly envious of your supermarket trip.

Seriously, midges can be a real problem. I itch for days after but the main issue can be when trying to change lenses. Do it too slow or just in the wrong place and you have a camera full of the "wee beasties". I generally avoid the Highlands from June through to the end of August (which means that I shall be returning soon).

Scotland cannot be alone in this. I've heard of New Zealand sand flies and there must be other varieties too. Anything in the US?

Cheers

 

[Gary Ayala]

Scotland cannot be alone in this. I've heard of New Zealand sand flies and there must be other varieties too. Anything in the US?

Cheers

David-

Nothing of the sort in California, maybe an earthquake or two every tens years or so ... but other than that just perfect weather (lol) ... oh yeah... in SoCal in spring there is a Ladybug infestation up in the local mountains, ... does that count?

Gary

 

[Mary Bull]

Insects, et al, that might bother photographers in TN & TX.

Seriously, midges can be a real problem. ....
Scotland cannot be alone in this. I've heard of New Zealand sand flies and there must be other varieties too. Anything in the US?

In Tennessee, in warm weather one can encounter gnats (same thing as midges?), mosquitoes, the odd hornet, chiggers, dog ticks, deer ticks, house flies, flies that look like house flies but bite, cat fleas, dog fleas--is that enough?

But that's nothing to conditions in my native state of Texas. One derogatory motto: "If it don't bite, stick, or sting, it ain't from Texas!"

I guess gnats would be the only thing comparable to midges, so far as being a problem in changing camera lenses.