Urquhart Castle Photo

Photographer’s Note

This one I took when we visited beautiful Loch Ness
(no, didn't see Nessie :-)). After a lovely walk along the loch we came here to see Urquhart Castle.
After a lovely picnic we took a tour through the castle, and besides that it was nice it also was very informative.
I will put the info down here as well:

The magnificently situated Urquhart Castle, on the banks of Loch Ness, remains an impressive stronghold despite its ruinous state.

Once one of Scotland’s largest castles, Urquhart’s remains include a tower house that commands splendid views of the famous loch and Great Glen.

Urquhart witnessed considerable conflict throughout its 500 years as a medieval fortress and its history from the 13th to 17th centuries was particularly bloody. Following Edward I’s invasion, it fell into English hands and was then reclaimed and lost again. In the 14th century, it figured prominently in the Scots’ struggle for independence and came under the control of Robert the Bruce after he became King of Scots.

In the 15th and 16th centuries, the castle and glen were frequently raided from the west by the ambitious Macdonald Lords of the Isles.

The castle’s history and that of the noble families – Durward, Macdonald and Grant – who held it, is told in the exhibition and audio-visual display in the new visitor centre. The Centre features an outstanding array of medieval artefacts found at the castle.

pablominto, sabyasachi1212, dougie, nbj, jwright, Keitht, isabib, a_i_ren, danos, Tue has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

pablominto (41700) 2006-09-28 9:32

Hello Nel,
This is a pleasant composition, emphasising the main subject nicely! Even the light works in your favour...
Good lines, and the green field in front takes my eyes right to the castle...
Good colours and nice details, the sunlit foreground adds to my experience!
Greetings,
Pablo -

aralda (1240) 2006-09-28 9:40

Hi Nel,
Nice landscape, and great to learn about Urquhart Castle.
Nice view of the area, with its fields, lake and remains of the stronghold.
Raluca

sabyasachi1212 (19546) 2006-09-29 13:09

Hi Nel,
What a beautiful place this is. Doesn't seem to have changed much over the years except the impressive castle turning to ruins. The green lawns are a wonderful contrast to the grey sky.
With Greetings from India
Sabyasachi

jverkamman (2291) 2006-10-02 15:25

Hi Nel, what a beautiful photo with very nice light on the Urquhart Castle.
I like this place, it’s lovely.
Good composition and nice fresh colours.

Greets, Jack

dougie (2920) 2006-10-11 17:51

Hi Nel,
This is one of the best pictures of Urquhart Castle that I've seen in a while. The aspect ratio works well, the composition with the inclusion of a bit of the surroundings is excellent and your notes are a good read! Thanks.
Dougie.

nbj (1871) 2006-11-07 10:40

hi nel,
looks like a really pretty place. good light, sky, colors, and i like the softness of the grass. you make me want to visit the place, so well done.
nana

anducina (8153) 2006-11-17 11:53

Beautiful landscape, excellent colours and compo, special light. Very nice. Those ruins seem extremely picturesque.
TFS,

Andreea

jwright (260) 2006-11-19 12:30

Nice composition. Your note is very infomative, thanks for sharing it. To bad you didn't see Nessie.

Keitht (1116) 2006-11-19 13:11

This is what I like to see - a different view of an often photographed location. In most views of Urquhart Castle, the castle itself is the dominant feature. That may be because the castle can be viewed from the road without paying the entrance fee :-)
This wider view with much more of Loch Ness and the surrounding countryside in view is very pleasing. Exposure is very good with no blown highlights or very black shadow areas. Although you have already cropped to a panoramic, or letterbox, format I think I would have been even harder and cropped away the foreground to just below the closest person on the left. I actually think the best level to crop for balance would be about waist level on that figure, but I would never actually chop a figure from choice.

sebcz (2345) 2006-12-08 10:40

Hi Nel!
A beautiful countryside and castle. I did a WS, what do you think of it?
Seb

[workshop] [compare] +

isabib (1951) 2006-12-12 17:55

Hi Nel,

This is a superb shot. Nice POV on the castle using the reflection of the light giving it more depth. Well done!

a_i_ren (1315) 2006-12-19 8:03

Hi, Nel,
Very well composed peaceful view! Castle ruins are nicely positioned in the frame, pleasant natural colors.
P.S. Tanks a lot for Your last comment on my photo, appreciated it a lot :-) Lately i wasn`t very present on TE, - to mach job and the beginning of ski season are to blame :-)
I wish You a happy New Year!
Take care
Inna

deud (1843) 2007-01-10 2:53

i like your "panoramic" format shots! they are very well composed. tfs

danos (33766) 2007-01-21 13:19

Hi Nel,
I never seen the lake of Loch Ness.Your shot is excellent with nice colours and the Urquhart castle to stand in the shore of the lake over 500 years.The light is soft and the sharpness of your shot suberb.Good composition with enlightening note

gramma (3519) 2007-09-10 11:34

Hello Nel,

Nice view of the Loch Ness area. I didn't understand why you haven't see Nessie. Here, I like particularly the composition. Cordially,

Christophe

JF63 (94) 2007-10-09 7:38

Bonjour Nel.
D'abord merci pour ta critique.
Cette photo est trés belle.Le chateau aurait mériter d'être décentré pour améliorer la composition.Sinon les couleurs et la nettete sont bonnes.
Bonsoir.

Tue (25608) 2008-06-20 15:09

Hi Nel,
Leuk om jouw foto van dit prachtige kasteel te zien. Het ligt daar toch prachtig met uitzicht op Loch Ness! Je had beter weer dan ik, het zonlicht is prettig, hoewel er ook wel zo'n Schotse bewolkte lucht in de achtergrond hangt, geeft wel een mooie combinatie. Het ziet er hier inderdaad wat drukker uit dan tijdens mijn bezoek, zal wel aan het weer en de tijd van het jaar gelegen hebben.
Uitstekende foto, bedankt!
Groeten,
Lars