I have limited my Italian travels to 2 outstanding places – Venice and the Cinque Terre. Both are a delight to photograph but in different ways, and both have succeeded despite difficult geographic beginnings.

Venice ruled the Adriatic through its mighty fleet and its architecture reflects the Middle Eastern influence as part of the powerful and wealthy empire of days gone by.

The Cinque Terre (Five fishing villages) is a tribute to man’s ability to survive and adapt to difficult geographic limitations and to do so with style.

Lastly but not least is the diversity of the Hebridean Islands off the northern mainland of Scotland in the Atlantic Ocean.

When the weather is good there is no better place to photograph but the weather is unpredictable and frequently inclement.

For me the quality of the images taken in good times more than justifies the risk of unsuitable photographic times  How does the saying go – “there’s no such thing as bad weather… just unsuitable clothing”. But tell this to an expensive camera!!!

Many of the Hebridean photos were taken using a long exposure time  ie. the camera shutter is open from say 1 minute to as much as 6-8 mins and beyond, some patience is needed here.

This technique will record movement in the clouds and will render the sea smooth. Whereas the fixed points in the composition (islands, beaches and mountains) will be recorded in the image as clear immovable objects.

This type of imaging may be an acquired modern progression and I hope you enjoy them.