One of the aspects I most enjoy about landscape photography is the planning. Almost immediately after exploring a new location I will think about the specific conditions that will help to create a strong image where the landscape can be viewed in the most effective light. This may well be in relation to the time of day, time of year the sun will be best placed, and often the weather conditions.
Visualising how a scene will look in these different conditions is often what drives me to return time and time again. Occasionally you happen across conditions where all the elements come together and provide you with a scene that matches, but sometimes exceeds, your visualisations.
November is known for having early morning mist and fog. Edinburgh has its own type of fog known locally as the ‘Haar’. The haar is a sea fog which is caused by warm air passing over the cold North Sea. As the haar blows into Edinburgh it can create some fantastic photographic opportunities. The only difficulty lies in which location to choose, as there are many potential places to make the most of these conditions.
I had already had an enjoyable afternoon exploring some woodland areas during the day, so when I looked out of the kitchen window that evening I was faced with a dilemma. I could see the the fog had returned and was going to remain for the rest of the evening, so there was one big question ‘To chill or not to chill?’.
The choice between putting my feet up and relaxing, or getting my boots back on and heading out in the hope to capture something new. I had visualised a shot of Edinburgh Castle surrounded by the haar for years, so the nagging photographer voice in my head “Get the shot!” over-ruled the temptation of warm slippers and a night in front of the TV watching Star Wars.
I opted for Salisbury Crags in the hope that it would be high enough to get above the fog, whilst giving an unobstructed view of the Castle. Upon arriving, I initially thought that the visibility was too poor. Ignoring the constant temptation to throw in the towel, I pushed on, determined to reach the top of the crags – something not so easy in the dark.
With no clear path, coupled with the ‘pea soup’ fog hanging in the air, there were a few hairy (or should that be ‘haar’y…) moments. The lie of the land obscures the spectacular views of the city until the last possible moment, so I wasn’t entirely sure what awaited me at the top. As I arrived and saw the Castle standing proud in a sea of clouds, the view took away what little breath I had remaining.
The next 15 minutes are a bit of a blur, with frantic lens changes, constantly checking for moisture on the front element and all the technical stuff of trying to capture the scene. It’s very easy to get lost in the technicalities, but I’ve learnt over the years to take a step back from the camera and soak up these moments, if only for a few seconds. What was strange was that no one else was around. I was expecting to see a line of photographers, but I had the place to myself. As the fog was moving so quickly it was just a matter of waiting for the perfect moment when the castle was clear.
Posting the image the following morning on social media saw an unbelievable response. It went viral almost immediately, with views by well over 3 million people on Facebook alone. It also got picked up by the national press, hitting the front pages of The Scotsman and the Edinburgh Evening News, as well as features in the Telegraph, Herald, Scottish Daily Mail, Daily Express, the Metro, and Hello magazine amongst others.
Did I learn anything from the experience? Yes. Always follow that nagging photographer voice….’Get the shot!’, and most of all ‘May the force be with you!’.