Landscapes, Landscape, Lndscps, Lndscp

I will happily admit that over the last wee while I've fallen out of love with photography. Perhaps it's the over saturation of photos I consume every day through social media, perhaps it's the ever increasing number of photographers about and the severe undercutting that's going on in the 'professional' realm. But in reality it's that I haven't gone out or looked for things that compel me. Stupidly I have been waiting for things to come to me and this is not how it works. As with all things art, the more 'professionally' you treat something the less passion you will have for it. Put simply the world is full of beauty and infinite complexity but you cannot see it unless you search for it and seek it out. Trying to make money from photography is certainly becoming more difficult but photography is not about money (unless your saving up for new equipment). Photography is about moments in time, the wonder of the world around us and capturing it for whatever reason.A recent trip to Sutherland has reawakened my inner photographer. Scotland is grand, ancient and enigmatic and Sutherland & Wester Ross are arguably some of the grandest areas on Earth. Now these photos are by no means the pinnacle of what these places can provide in terms of epic imagery. In fact I would say they don't even come close to describing the place. But these photos represent a reinvigorated love of landscape photography. They are my photos and they will remind me of one of the best family holidays I've had. I will be back to Sutherland and I will be be out in these hills. I have become a weak, self obsessed towny, I am not strong enough for Sutherland and this is something I must remedy. I am not a landscape photographer but I would like to become one. There is only one way to achieve this and that is to be in landscapes often, for prolonged periods, to walk to places people don't go, to sleep out and wake up with the dawn. To get wet, cold, tired and sore. To love it and go back for more. PUNCH ME SCOTLAND! PUNCH ME! KISS ME SCOTLAND! KISS ME!Photography seems to becoming more disposable and undervalued as the digital world swells. Just type in #landscape into instagram and look at the stunning images that are there, for you to look at and consume for free! It's f*cking astounding! The places, the moments, the animals, the mountains, the skill, the equipment and above all else the commitment! On the way home from Sutherland we got stuck on the a9, so we took a detour by Aberfeldy. It has an amazing bookshop in a mill there. I bought a book of landscape photographs and I love it, it blow's socks of the internet. Books are just better. Print is better. Digital is all well and good but just like in music or film making it has driven down the value of the creative product. It is lamentable. But it doesn't mean there aren't adventures to be had. Scenes to see and experiences to cherish. Here's to being alive, our environment and what fleeting time we have left. The universe is grand and we are minute, revel in your insignificance and how easily your environment can crush you and care nor less!