Dalveen Pass: A (Slightly Longer Than) 5 Minute Photo Adventure
Вставка
- Опубліковано 15 жов 2024
- In my latest 5 Minute Photo Adventure I discover a wonderful landscape photography location just off the M74 in Scotland called the Dalveen Pass. Located in Dumfries and Galloway this beautiful bit of road offers the photographer a number of roadside locations to capture images of the hills and waterfalls. In this video I show you two quick and easy to spots that are worth the small detour of the motorway.
If you want to know more about this location and see the images in a bit more detail then be sure to check out the blog article that goes with this video:
julianbaird.me...
I originally discovered this location in the book Photography Scotland. You can pick up a copy of this fantastic resource here amzn.to/2F3FwjW
If you're interested, here is some of the gear I used to make this video:
Video shot with a Yi 4K+ (amzn.to/2i2VZ0h), a Sony RX100M4 (amzn.to/2eDyOIS)
Audio recorded using a Rode Smartlav + (amzn.to/2wMJh8x) and a Zoom H1 (amzn.to/2gyGPfd)
Aerial video captured using a DJI Mavic Pro (amzn.to/2kGfg8Y)
Video edited in Adobe Premiere CC (amzn.to/2iX4la4)
Images shot on a Nikon D850 (amzn.to/2eZiNxd) with a Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR (amzn.to/2mcJrSC), Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 VR (amzn.to/2DUUP0b)
I also used these filters: Lee Filters Circular Polariser (amzn.to/2DMeCQq)
Images processed in Adobe Lightroom CC (amzn.to/2eDw8uC).
The links used are Amazon affiliate links. By buying through the links I may receive a commission for the sale. This has no effect on the price for you.
#landscapephotography #d850 #julianbaird #Scotland #5mpa
OK, so this video is 8 minutes rather than 5, but I hope you appreciate the extra viewpoint! Which of the three waterfall compositions do you like the best? What are your favourite locations near to a motorway?
Middle position for me. It cut out more of the distractions and gave a better sense of repetition
My thoughts exactly. :-)
Middle for me too for the same reasons ;-)
Thanks Simon :-)
I liked the middle one, however you should give the right hand side more credit! The full view of the flow route was clear to see there. 👍
I always drive straight through this spot on my way to the Highlands and never manage to stop off properly. Maybe next time! I prefer the second waterfall shot btw :) Sam.
It's worth stopping off for. If you go around spring time I really think both the 2nd and 3rd comps will work better. :-)
Drones really are useful for viewing the wider scene. Perfect textures in the waterfall. Cheers.
Cheers Andy, yes they certainley help tell the story of the area. Yeah, I didn't think I needed to add an ND filter and slow the shutter even more. :-)
Lovely 5+3 min video Julian! I agree, the centred fall shot worked best for the conditions you had. Hopefully as the weather is turning warmer next week, we'll start to see some spring colours at last as I'd had enough embracing the grey! Hope you had a nice break with the family mate
Cheers Jamie, yeah, I reckon that location will be much better in the spring....especially the waterfall. And yes, I had a very nice holiday thanks. Managed to get some time out with the camera....so stay tuned for another 5 Minute Photo Adventure next week!
Always enjoy seeing you out and about Julian, even if only for a quick stop over shot. Upland landscapes are always tough when the vegetation is barren. The second waterfall image was my favourite. Great footage as always with you. Cheers.
Cheers Simon, yeah wrong time of year, but not bad for a little roadside location. If I'd had more time I would have headed up into the hills. Maybe next time. Thanks for your kind comments. :-)
Nice vlog Julian, looks like a nice spot, agree, The 3rd shot works better for me. Looking forward to the next one. #embracethegrey
Cheers Ian. There will be another 5 Minute Photo Adventure from Scotland up next week! :-)
oh man that opening drone footage, Great, makes me want to be there. Great video and images of waterfalls, cant wait to the snow to melt and everything thaws. Still quite grey and snowy here.
Cheers mate, those big aerial shots really help tell the story of the location. Looking forward to see some videos from your area when all the snow starts to melt! :-)
You never fail to make an interesting video, thanks Julian
Thanks Andy! No presure on me then lol
Loved the middle composition. I too have that book. Its great. Helped me massively on a recent trip upto Skye and Glencoe. Looking forward to seeing where else you visit!
Thanks Darren. These fotoVue books are great aren't they. I have most of the UK books and they are really handy for a bit of inspiration and for searching out new locations. :-)
I have no objections to your 8 minute 5 Minute Features. I look forward to them. I like the 1, 2, 3 approach to shooting the waterfall. I am sure you knew which would be best from the beginning; but, the demonstration was good example of find the best composition. I thought the first 2 work OK, given the time of year and day. The 3rd images definitely worked very well. It gave good focus on the waterfall and surrounding moss with helped ground the image to the subject.
Glad you like my 5 Minute Photo Adventure videos...they are rarely exactly 5 minutes though! lol I think it was good to show the three different shots. It's only a small space on the bridge, but I thought it was useful to show how moving just a few paces to the left or right can change an image. :-)
Nice video Julian and I agree the middle composition of the waterfall worked best. I thought the small sections of drone footage added a nice touch.
Thanks Wayne :-)
A great video Julian, thank you. All your shots were brilliant but I think in the waterfall shots the top right to bottom left works for me.
Cheers Tony. I think the other shot will work better when the ground is in better condition. I like the flow from the left to the right :-)
Julian, Thanks for sharing. I think I like the centered waterfall the best. You were able to capture details in the water but still portray plenty of movement.
Thanks for watching! :-)
I enjoyed this video and as a new to photography person. I always appreciate getting new ideas and understanding the thought process. I liked the left side to right corner image as a way to lead you through the image. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Mark. I think that during spring when the surrounding ground would be in better condition, the left or right hand side compositions would work better. :-)
Julian - I enjoyed this video - sure wish there were some waterfalls as beautiful on my way to where ever I need to go. Wisconsin has them, but generally in the northern part of the state. I like the strategy you used to work this stop into your schedule - I think some people get discouraged from getting out because they have not planned some sort of epic adventure. You show not only how to photograph, but how to get out and have a bit of adventure and enjoyable photography in the course of getting from point A to B. Take care, Dave
Cheers Dave, that's a brilliant comment to read. Thanks mate :-) But yes, you're right, not every trip out with the camera needs to be part of some epice adventure :-)
The composition with the stream in the middle was my favorite. As far as locations near a motorway go - I live on a narrow little peninsula and nothing is more than 12 miles from the highway. That said, the Point-No-Point lighthouse and keepers' quarters are my favorite (and everybody else's - there are hundreds of photos online).
Thanks Theresa! Just checked out some images of those locations you mentioned. I can see why they might be popular with photographers!
Juian, what liked was that you didn't make the waterfall photo exposure too long. I see a lot of photographers doing that because silky water is aesthetically more pleasing. But, when the exposures get too long it stops looking
like water anymore. You captured a good balance of smooth with some structure in the water..
Thanks Emma. Totally agree A longer shutter speed doesn't always end up with a better result. In this instance seeing the texture of the water works better than just a white flow. :-)
exactly ..
Nice find, the waterfall looks great
Thanks Mark. :-)
Fantastic video Julian. I really like this series!
Thanks Evie! :-)
Great short video, really enjoy the practical, tech tips.
That's great to hear Steve, thanks! :-)
Always great to hear from you . Keep them vlogs coming in mate !
Thanks! Saw your #EmbraceTheGrey image last night as I was putting together the video. Hopefully I'll have it up soon! :-)
Julian Baird - Landscape Photography looking forward ❤️
Know this area pretty well. Great work Julian.
Thanks. I definately want to go back... I think it would look really good in spring. :-)
I do enjoy these 5 minute adventures Julian, even if they are over 5 minutes!
Thanks David! It could be more or it could be less....5 minutes is an approximate value! lol
'Approximately 5 minute adventure' doesn't have the same ring to it... 😉
lol, no, it's not as catchy is it! :-)
Thumbs up ere' Julian, great place to capture! Plenty of waterfalls in the area! Many thanks for sharing your work :)
Thanks mate! Always nice to see a comment from yourself. :-)
Great video mate, photos looked pretty awesome and I’m quite eager to do a waterfall video myself ☺️
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks mate. I've just edited another video featuring a waterfall, but that won't be going up for a few weeks. See if you can beat me to it... waterfalls are good fun to shoot. You got any nearby?
Julian Baird - Landscape Photography cool man! Hmm I think I need to take a 45min Drive so I guess that’s close enough 😁 Not sure when I’ll do it but let’s see what happens haha
Loved this video Julian.
Thanks Jim! :-)
I live about 10 mins from there Julian, stunning place. I was up the mountain behind the cottage last year and took some shots down the way. nice photos.
Hi Mick, thanks for watching. I wish I'd had more time there as I also would have liked to have ascended one of the hills. I saw some stunning photographs on Flickr from the upper reaches of the hills. It looks like a wonderful place to live and photograph?
it certainly is.
The image of the valley works well with the house to show a sense of scale.
Thanks Charles :-)
Nice job bud👍🏻 like the waterfall shots! The last is slightly better composition in my opinion. And I really like the last image the mountain at the back and the house really shows the scale! Did I see a new tripod there??!! lol
Cheers mate. :-) I reckon the other compositions will work better when the ground is in better condition. I may have picked up a "bargain" at The Photography Show... ;-)
Julian Baird - Landscape Photography oh ya for sure!! In the spring. Haha looks like a beauty.
Mate, I reckon I must drive past the Dalveen Pass twice a week. How far is it from the A74? Do you reckon it'd be a good location to stop at one Thursday evening? If I do I'll go for something like the middle composition.
Hey, if you are referring the A74(M), it's only 10 miles from J14. I think it's definately worth a visit. The waterfall is right on a handy layby so it's easy to park there. So it's hardly likely to add too much to your journey time. The GPS pinpoint on the map on my blog shows the exact location of the waterfall. :-)
Julian
Excellent 5 minute Photo Adventure. Been to your blog and the 4 images look wonderful. The center waterfall by far captures the look and feel we saw in the video the best of the three waterfall images. Also enjoyed the Dalveen Pass image but would have wished the house to be a bit larger in the frame, which would make it a more powerful part of the image.
Always enjoy your vlogs
Peter
Thanks Peter, and extra thanks for going to the blog. From the viewpoint it was difficult to make the house look bigger without removing the hills from the frame. If I'd had more time I might have got myself a bit closer. :-)
Julian
Of course, it always seems to work out that way; still a wonderful image
Peter
Thanks Peter! Yes, there never seems to be enough time does there :-)
My favorite subject to photograph, waterfalls. I use a 24-85 over the 24-70 for two reasons, it's lighter and since I'm usually hiking in remote areas that's a big plus and it has a little more reach. I also believe it produces better landscape images than the 24-70 which I now reserve for portrait work. Nice work and thanks for sharing
Thanks Tony! :-)
Great vid mate. Enjoyed that! Lovely spot! Great images 😊👍🏻
Cheers matey! I've got yours on my Watch Later list.... still trying to catch up though after my holiday last week! :-) I'll get there though.
Really enjoyed Julian. Quick pit stop vlog and stunning shots! 5:00 🕔 excellent crop. Triangles and hills enjoyed it Julian. Think I preferred the last shot. Great effort in those conditions 😁👍
Thanks! That's very kind of you to say and great to hear you enjoyed the video and images. Thanks :-)
Hi mate, i was there last year, we turned off the motorway and took a better view in coming back from Mull, it was a great spot, i got a couple images but did not put a lot of effort in on them at the time...
Hey, yeah it is a good little spot isn't it. If I'd had more time I would have walked up one of the hills. I reckon there are plenty more compositions to be had of those waterfalls. Still, not bad for a roadside location I thought. :-)
When you where sitting in the car somebody was watching you, spooooky, they are between us👽👽👽!!! The drone intro was stunning, what a beautiful location and gorgeous results, thank you and keep up good work, cheers VDN!
Thanks mate...they were the kids fluffy dogs! Or where they? lol Glad you like the drone footage. :-)
Great video Julian. You didn't mention focus stacking so I am guessing it wasn't necessary since you were allowing the water to blur. Those types of waterfall shots are hard for me personally. I like shooting from ground level and including a nice rock in the foreground for interest but occasionally, I have to take one from above as you did. My shots just seem to be missing something when shot from above. I did like the flow completely through the image that you got. It worked well I thought.
Thanks Philip. No, I didn't use focus stacking for the images. No need really. For that location I reckon a little more exploring up the hill might reveal even more interesting compositions. There are lots of little falls all the way up the hill :-)
Hi Julian, Nice work as always. I just wondered what you view the main advantages that the 850 gives you over the 750 that you shot previously? From a photographers perspective is it really that much better than the 750/810 etc? Cheers
Thanks Michael - I think my most recent D850 pretty well highlights all the things I like about the D850 over the D750 - ua-cam.com/video/oKr3MgO7WYM/v-deo.html :-)
Ah...thanks brilliant I'll be sure to check that out ; )
Hello Julian, 5 minutes is too short for me, but anything from 8 to 13 minutes is fine. If you have the time to check out the photographer Simon Butterworth (past TAV winner) he covered this area, pretty well indeed. Congratulations on getting your images published in Outdoor Photographer. I managed to get one in the February issue. I look forward very much to your Highland scenes. Love those gloves of yours. Would you kindly have a link for them??? Best regards, Allan Davies...
Hey Allan! I try and post up a variety of videos, so there should be short videos and a few longer ones as well. Hopefully something for everyone :-) Great to hear you saw my image in OP. It's always nice to see isn't it! You can get those gloves from: photographygloves.com/
Thank you, Julian Re, advice gloves. Also bought the book which you produced in your car...
did you let the top of the waterfall scenes go unsharp? I was curious if you were able to get it all in good focus. Where did you decide to focus, on the middle or lower falls?
Hi Steve, I focused a bit of the surrounding ground about a 1/4 of the way up the image. The image is accetably sharp in the areas I need it to be :-)