Landscapes - Musselburgh

[Rob MacKillop]

Musselburgh is an old fishing village on the outskirts of Edinburgh, though I haven't heard of fish from there for years. Some of the first ever Scottish photos were of "fish wives" selling fish in the streets of Edinburgh. Susan remembers them when she was young, but they don't come around anymore.

Despite being a clear day, the colour from the XS1 is not the best, even after processing, so these became b&w. I also had the XE1 with me, and the Konica. More from them later. The XS1 has a zoom lens, which I find useful sometimes, either macro or otherwise (hmm...shouldn't macro be called micro?!).

harbour 1bw by RobMacKillop, on Flickr


Walking The Dog by RobMacKillop, on Flickr


Different Streams by RobMacKillop, on Flickr
​

 

[Brian Moore]

The dark look to these is very appealing, Rob.In the first I like the contrasting whites of the boats and how they are floating at different angles. They are almost toy-like. In #3 it took me a wee while to make out that there was a stream there. I was peering at the black portion between the grass and the stream trying to make out what it was a shadow of. I like the ominous sky in #3. My fav is #2, though. The fellow looked a bit mysterious the way he is somewhat hunched over and with his back to the camera. Buy the mystery dissolved some when I noticed the dog.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Thanks, Brian. Yes, maybe the last is a little too dark. Compositionally, I liked the thirds, with wild nature on one bank and industry on the other.
The second image - I took a couple of it before this guy and his dog appeared out of nowhere, and walked across frame. Perfect. It was just a matter of timing then, and I'm pleased with the result, though the dog could be more noticeable.
The first image surprised me when I converted to b&w, as it looks like the boats are bobbing about on the water, but the tide was well out, and they were sitting on the mud floor. The sun was reflecting off little pools here and there. Quite interesting how it came out.
Thanks for your comments, Brian.

 

[Brian Moore]

they were sitting on the mud floor.

That possibility occurred to me, Rob, because the sailboat in the middle front sits at a radical tilt compared to the others near it, but I couldn't make out enough to be sure.

 

[Pete Askew]

A super trio of images Rob. The second is my favourite. It really feels as if there is a narrative there.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Thanks, Pete. I agree.

 

[Nick Lukey]

Interesting group of images Rob along with your dark handling which I admire, I like the first and last. I would have liked a little more light spilling onto the grasses. For the first I love the contrast on the boats shame you couldn't have got some reflections in the bottom half of the image.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Cheers, Nik. The XS1 is not up to the standard of the XE1, so I should have used that, but I'd put the 10-stop ND filter on it. My mistake. But the XS1 is not a bad camera, and I think it did ok. Thanks for your encouraging comments.

 

[Peter McCullough]

Rob;

These are really excellent.....!! Love the mood they create, dark & moody. I like them all but 'different streams' works for me, superb talent!

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Thanks, Peter. Something for everyone

 

[Ivar Dahl-Larsen]

I love the first two and there is not more to ad which differs from what others have said. My favourite is the second. The third I really don't know what to say except that the black and white work is as always, superb!

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Thank you, Ivar. Your comments are appreciated.

 

[Keith Hollister]

Very nice - the first one is especially brilliant, Rob. That would be hanging on my wall if I were you.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Thanks, Keith. There's an idea...

 

[Julian de'Courcy]

Some how I thought I'd left a comment on these obviously not. I've certainly seen them several times. Love the second in particular Rob. Has great feel about the figure, a lot of body language from such small figure, for some reason I find the image captivating because of this.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Thanks, Julian. I love these unplanned chance happenings that somehow transform an image. They don't always happen when you want them to, however...

 

[Glenn Clabo]

The darkness continues and I love it. Excellent work sir.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Thank you, sir!

 

[Rob MacKillop]

In the opening paragraph I mentioned fishwives - here's one from the same area:

 

[Dan Cattermole]

That second shot is brilliant Rob. Really like it.