The Light Touch
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Touch the Light.....
John MacPherson
Landscape and Environmental Photography from Scotland
Unknown Hebrides 2004 -2005
I have been commissioned by Edinburgh-based publisher Birlinn to undertake a major project on Scotland's less frequently visited, or often overlooked, islands. The book is not intended to be a comprehensive guidebook, as Hamish Haswell-Smith's excellent 'Scottish Islands' is the acknowledged gold standard in this regard. The Birlinn publication will be mainly photographs, with captions, and is intended to provide a snapshot from the short visit made to each of the islands, to whet the appetite of anyone wishing a glimpse of these fascinating places. Subject matter will include the historical interest - monastic cells, chapels etc. some of the wildlife, flora and fauna, landscape details, and also, importantly, any contemporary human use. I have recorded the work of fishermen, researchers such as the RSPB, and various crofters and farmers. In addition I hope to capture some of the more ephemeral and quite magical light that we are blessed with in the west, and which makes such islands so much more special. Successful visits were made to South Ascrib, Raasay and Soay (Skye), Priest Island (Summer Isles), Scarba, Kerrera and Lismore (Argyll), and several more. Island access has been by various methods, a couple of trips in my sea kayak, some on commercial ferries, but most often with local fishermen or boatmen, and many 'landings' have involved jumping off their boats onto rocks and having my gear lobbed after me, with return journeys made in a similar fashion. This has produced some interesting balancing acts as much of the success of this method is highly dependent on the state of the sea! My departure from the greasy rocks of Scarba was in the rain, in a lumpy sea, and was successful due only to the skills of boatman Duncan Phillips and his mate. The book will be published during 2005, and I hope to present some images from the various trips as I find time to scan and upload here.
Buy the book here.
Mull & Islands 2005 - 2006
Another commission from Edinburgh-based publisher Birlinn, this time to undertake a project on Mull and the neighbouring islands. There are around a dozen islands nearby, such as The Treshnish Islands, Staffa, Ulva and Gometra and various others. Travel will again be by any means I can find, such as commercial boat operator, fishing boat, kayak or yacht.
This will be a major departure for me as I will be using digital equipment for the first time. Last year I worked solely with film for the Unknown Hebrides book, but for this one I will be using a Canon EOS 1Dsmk2 digital body. This is a 17 megapixel lump capable of astonishing quality.
I hope to portray not just the landscape, but the people who make the landscape what it is. Farmers, crofters, fishermen, business people, and all sorts of people who call the islands home. I will try to show something of the lives these folks lead and the way they relate to their surroundings.
I have family connections with Mull. My grandmother was a Muilich, a Campbell from Bunessan, where the family had a farm. She moved to Fort William, bought the Waverly Temperance Hotel, and married my grandfather who ran a stables and hired out coaches and horses trading as A. & J. MacPherson. Their stables later became MacRae & Dicks Garage in Fort William.
View Mull and Islands photographs here
Islands
View Unknown Hebrides photographs here
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