Over the past few months, my photography has taken a different direction as mentioned in a previous ‘Field Notes’ post. I've stepped away from the landscapes and thrown myself into the world of wildlife photography, embracing the challenge, the patience, and the chase. It's been a completely different way of working with the camera, and one I've thoroughly enjoyed.
There's something special about the unpredictability of wildlife, those moments spent watching and waiting, never quite knowing what might happen next. It's tested me, taught me plenty, and given me a fresh perspective on photography. But as much as I've enjoyed this new chapter, there's always been a part of me longing to return to the landscapes.
Landscape photography has been part of my life for around 15 years, and it's more than just taking photographs. It's the feeling of standing alone on a coastline before sunrise, listening to the waves, watching the light slowly build, and having nowhere else to be. It's the freedom, the quiet, and the connection with the places that have always drawn me back time and time again.
And in just one week's time, I'll be heading back to the Isle of Skye.
For me, Skye has never been just another photography destination. It's somewhere I've returned to over the years, a place that has given me countless memories, challenged me creatively, and offered a kind of escape from the noise of everyday life. No matter how many times I visit, there's always something that pulls me back. Perhaps it's the mountains, the ever-changing weather, the wild coastline, or simply the feeling I get when I'm there. Whatever it is, Skye has a way of making me feel exactly where I'm supposed to be.
I'm already thinking about those early starts, the familiar roads in the darkness, standing on a windswept shoreline waiting for first light, and that feeling of anticipation when the conditions begin to come together, and enjoying the moments with my two best mates. Of course, nothing is guaranteed, and that's part of what makes landscape photography so special. You can plan everything, but ultimately, you have to be there, embrace whatever the island gives you, and make the most of the moments you're fortunate enough to witness.
After spending so much time chasing wildlife over the months I rarely shoot landscapes anyhow, I'm genuinely looking forward to slowing down again, reconnecting with the landscapes I love, and reminding myself why I picked up a camera in the first place.
This trip isn't about chasing a particular image or coming home with a certain number of photographs. It's about returning to somewhere that means so much to me, taking a breath, and enjoying every moment of being back doing what I love most with two amazing photographers, and more importantly friends.
One week to go. Fifteen years of photographing Skye, and the excitement of returning is still as strong as ever. Some places never really leave you, and Skye will always be one of them.
