Bass Rock from Anstruther, a photo from Fife, Scotland

Photographer's Note

I have shown you pictures of the Bass Rock from Seacliff and even from the ruined ramparts of Tantallon Castle but those pictures were taken from the south. So what a surprise when I met up with two of my daughters, a son-in-law and two grandchildren in Anstruther on the southeast Fife coast, that I should discover that I could actually see the Bass Rock across the Firth of Forth from the north!

We met in Anstruther in time for a few shots of the children and some fun on the beach but the sky was heavy and threatening and I managed to get this shot acoss the harbour of a couple of people preparing to do some fishing at the end of the harbour wall. You can see the Bass Rock behind them to the left with the East Lothian coastline beyond. North Berwick must be off to the right.

As predicted, thunder and lightning ensued together with a heavy downpour of rain. But we were only a couple of minutes' walk from The Anstruther Fish Bar so we rushed there for shelter and we all had a "Fish Tea" - fish and chips with a slice of bread and butter and a mug of tea - all with lashings of salt, vinegar and sauce.

Supposedly the best fish and chips in the land! Brilliant!

bayno, timecapturer, jhm, RhodieIke, delpeoples, ourania, macjake, COSTANTINO has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

emka (58194) 2012-04-20 23:08

Hi John,

Ni ce story about the meeting with the family. "Fish tea" doesn't seem attractive but fish and chips (probably not in newspaper) why not. fabulous sky before storm. beautiful colours.
Tomorrow I go to see the tulips. I saw the forecast - 80% probability of shower and so the whole next week :(.
Warm regrads

Malgo

maxifred (2419) 2012-04-20 23:20

hi John,
I really like this picture which includes many interesting elements like clouds,water,windmills in the background and people.
Like the lonely rock island too...
The lighthouse looks like a trumpet with its handle!
Best regards,
Fred,Belgium

rbassin (11153) 2012-04-21 0:37

Hi John,
Belle prise de vue, La lumière est très belle et crée de bons effets avec les nuages et l'eau.
Joli format vertical accompagnant la verticalité du phare avec son reflet.
Bon W-E
Roland

bayno (16213) 2012-04-21 1:00

Ciao John,
another POV and framing a perfectly realized, the light is fantastic, I really like pastel colors, great depth ... we clearly distinguish wind turbines on the hills and the rock bass illuminated by golden light, also very beautiful reflections on the sea and the sky threatening...I seem to distinguish a father with his child under the lighthouse...
Beautiful shot...
Have a good day...
Valter

bartekp (4200) 2012-04-21 1:08

Hi John,

I know object very well, but position for that picture no.
In this point the rock looks huge. Very good colors and light (i think so frontal light).

Have a nice weekend

Bartek

MJR (3163) 2012-04-21 2:59

John
What a wonderful sky, which is not to say that the rest is not delightful too !
A striking beacon to the end of the pier, the beautifully seen and caught sunlight on the rock, and of course, that sky ..
Shame about those ruddy windmills. where is Don Q. when you need him....
Maybe a little gloomy to the lee of pier, but that's picky..

Kind regards,
Martin

PS It has taken me a waking moment last night to realise quite the pun you supplied in my Gloucester post. Sad really, the brain cells are atrophying faster and faster these days ....

PPS you may have had the best F&C in Scotland, in England they are from Saltburn ....

timecapturer (30342) 2012-04-21 3:26

Hi John
drama and beauty here in this wonderful shot. I love the light and the gold in the sky and water. A perfect composition and POV that is serene and makes the rock look so glorious. Excellent image and presentation.

Regards - Brian.

lousat (57704) 2012-04-21 4:22

Hi John,magnificent moment whit this special light and beautiful clouds,i like a lot this peacefull composition,great quality as usual,the light reflections on the water are really magics!Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano

agjika (4015) 2012-04-21 7:09

Hi John,

A lovely composition and a very difficult light.It migh have worked bette if you underexposed by a stop or two as there is plenty of detail in the shade you cold afford to loose in exchange for keeping the highlights under control. Cropping the top off and producing a letterbox photo might be another solution.

Lovely atmosphere.

Regards

Aleks

jhm (122474) 2012-04-22 1:00

Hello John,

I read that you together with two daughters, and two grandchildren on these place makes a stroll, this is very pleasant, also when you have to shelter from thunderstorm
Notwithstanding this no easy picture for take through the strong light betweenthe clouds, get we a nice panoramic image about these area.
Composition and presentation are very nice.
Well done, TFS.

Have a nice Sunday,
John

Royaldevon (17791) 2012-04-22 4:10

Hello John,

This is like a shot from a tourist guide, where the publishers are covertly implying a sense of calm and tranquility to a region.
It follows the rule of thirds to perfection, that tower, and it reflection sitting absolutely on the line.
I particularly like the f/g with its disturbed water and wonderful colour reflections. It is a fine prelude to that ominous sky.

Mmm, fish and chips sounds very appealing! I wonder how they compare with those from Whitby ... also reputed to be the best in the land!! I'm sure they are equally good, especially when you are relieved from a drenching and are sitting snuggly and warm, just watching the rain.

Have a fine Sunday,
Bev :-)

RhodieIke (9207) 2012-04-22 4:23

Hi John, Got a bit of catching up to do as been off line for a week, problem in our village. Love the light and mood in this sea castle and Bass rock scene.We have been having flash storms as well and it brings fantastic light.Have a great Sunday, Cheers Iain.

delpeoples (45006) 2012-04-22 5:48

Ciao Giovanni

Let me preface this critique by saying that I am an evil woman and apologise here and now. Your photo is absolutely stunning in every respect: pink and yellow tones, silvery light, marvellous reflections and breath-taking landscape in the background. But what catches my immediately even in miniature, is that er...erection... positioned slightly off-centre on the right. This is my type of photo: awe-inspiringly beautiful and PHALLIC all at the same time. Congratulations, you've made my day. Time for a ciggie and a cold shower now :)

Un abbraccio
Lisa

ourania (12427) 2012-04-22 11:45

Hello John,
this is a breathtakingly beautiful picture, a fascinating and rich composition presented with marvellous clarity so that all the details of the view, near and far, are easily perceived and make an impact. I love the immense depth, the view of the sea over the wall, the light on the Bass Rock and the hills, the superb natural reflection of the light and the shadows on the surface, the tranquil scene at the edge of the pier, the spectacular sky, the exquisite colours and atmosphere. It's a magnificent picture, congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a lovely week,
Ourania

macjake (39235) 2012-04-23 7:35

Hi John
very nice story to read.
as for the photo, i'm looking at this and noticing it would be a great scene for HDR with the large clouds.
a very atmospheric scene, with hints of orange warm lighting, but the story also makes the photo better!
nice shot here John.
glad you got out of the rain :)
cheers
craig

chrisvek (5505) 2012-04-23 15:34

Hello John

Amazing shoot while the sunset.Very nice warm colors and great lightning.Awesome POV and very nice ligthning.TFS

Have a nice week
Chris

npecanhuk (53913) 2012-04-24 14:04

Hello John!
Magnificent photograph!
That sky is gorgeous!
Colors, light, contrasts, reflections, vertical format, chosen pov and composition are all oustanding features here!
TFS - congrats,
Cheers,
Neyvan

holmertz (26980) 2012-04-26 11:58

Hello John,
Although the view as such is timeless, the colours of the sky strangely remind me of an old magazine print. The yellow has a touch of sepia that takes me back to the 50's. The quiet atmosphere of an early evening and a very calm sea is very appealing. I just feel a slight chill in the air, so this would be a suitable moment to get inside a bar for some hot food.
Kind regards,
Gert

COSTANTINO (42746) 2012-05-14 11:09

Hello
excellent magic shot with gold colours
excellent perspective,another pov and
frame perfectly executed
I love the pastel colours
your palette is magnificent
regards
Costantino

Photo Information

Copyright: John Cannon (tyro) (13111)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2012-04-11
Categories: Food, Nature, Architecture
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon 70-200mm f/4L IS USM, HOYA 67mm HMC SUPER UV(0)
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/160 seconds
More Photo Info: view
Map: view
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2012-04-20 15:59