Shooting outdoors in Scotland is a constant dance with the elements. The weather can shift from sunlit clarity to misty overcast in moments, influencing not just the scene but the mood and story behind each shot. I embrace these changes, often revisiting locations multiple times to capture the perfect interplay of light and atmosphere. The key is patience—waiting for the precise moment when nature aligns with your vision, creating a unique, evocative image that speaks to the viewer.

Embracing Unpredictability

Unpredictable weather adds an element of surprise, often bringing dynamic and dramatic skies that enhance the mood. For example, a sudden break in clouds after rain can cast stunning, fleeting light on a landscape, transforming a familiar scene into something extraordinary.

The Role of Light

In Scotland, the light is ever-changing, and its direction, quality, and intensity shape how a landscape is perceived. Golden hours—those short periods after sunrise and before sunset—are particularly stunning. However, soft, diffused light during overcast days can also bring out subtle textures and tones in nature, perfect for more introspective scenes.

Patience is perhaps the most crucial element. Sometimes it requires returning again and again to the same location to capture the right moment at the right time. A wait for the perfect alignment of weather, light and subject.

Embracing it all and working with the challenges presented by the weather in Scotland can lead to some incredibly evocative imagery.