Image Details
The Church of Scotland decided to sell their Poolewe church, a Telford designed and listed building, and I had been commissioned to photograph it. I chose a good day for this and timed my arrival to ensure the view I had selected had good side lighting to bring out the texture in the stone work. Well, I thought I had, but I arrived a little early and had to wait for the sun to move round.
Whilst waiting, passers by asked what I was doing there and when I explained my reason in return I was given stories about how they were married there, children christened, funeral services for loved ones and so on. I certainly learned what an important part in the community this church had played.
Later, on completing the commission, I made my way home only to notice as I reached Tournaig the mirror like reflection of the trees by the banks of Loch nan Dailthean. I stopped to take some shots and just at that point a friend of mine, Tim, arrived with his camera. Tim is an artist who works in various media and produces beautifule works, landscapes and wildlife, but at that time was focusing mainly on wildlife.
We chatted for a while and Tim told me he was planning a particular wildlife work. He was seeking landscapes to use as a backdrop hence arriving at Tournaig with his camera. He though he would find what he needed here. We then got on with our business and focused on completely different parts of the scene. I could find nothing of interest in what Tim was looking at and I assumed the reverse was true for Tim who showed no interest in my part of the scene!
I recall reading many years ago in a landscape photography book a story about three photographers taken to and left at a particular point in a landscape. One of them would immediately be interested in the surroundings and set to work right away. Another photographer thought the current surroundings uninspiring and made his way to something much more interesting in the distance. The third photographer could see nothing at all of any interest and quit for the day.
Copyright © 2000 Gordon C Harrison All Rights Reserved