CUAN MOR RESTAURANT OBAN JULY09

Cuan Mor is an interesting restaurant with many unusual build features and combined with low ambient lighting makes it a challenge for photography.Here is a general shot of the interior with a very pleasant waitress serving up the food. we have highlighted her in colour with the rest of the shot in black and white

PHOTOGRAPHY AT CUAN MHOR RESTAURANT OBAN

Dennis Hardley photography were commissioned to photograph food and capture the atmosphere at this fine restaurant/bar in Oban town centre.Here is an image of a great fish dish(Sea Bream) available at Cuan Mor.for lots more food shots go to http://www.scotphoto.com/

PHOTO SHOOT CUAN MHOR RESTAURANT OBAN

Dennis and Tony Hardley are currently working on a commission at the Cuan Mhor restaurant and bar in George street Oban. Its a challenging job in a very busy establishment and it took some time to absorb the atmosphere in order to capture this on our digital cameras. The food looks good (thats why its busy) and this is a shot of a Chicken Dish.

VISIT TO THE ISLE OF ERISKA HOTEL 29TH JULY 09

Dennis Hardley armed with his Nikon D3X today visited this prestigious hotel to photograph the new pier (below) and whilst he was on the island took this new shot of the hotel frontage from the pond with his Nikon 14-24 wide lens.You can now call at this hotel for lunch or dinner by sea using this new safe jetty.

ISLE OF ERISKA HOTELS NEW PIER JULY 09

Today I went down to the Isle of Eriska Hotel and Spa which is on a small island on the beautiful west coast of Scotland where a new pier has been erected.This will allow passing yachtsmen to Call in for Dinner.Here is a picture of the pier taken today.

OBAN BAY DURING ITS BUSIEST PERIOD JULY 09

Dennis Hardley went back across to Kerrera to capture this image showing Oban bay at the height of the summer season with no less than three Cal Mac ferries in this picturesque port.

Captured using a Canon EOS1Ds Mk 111 with a 70-200 f2.8 telephoto lens. The vessel in the foreground is heading to the Island of Mull a trip that takes just 40 minutes through breathtaking scenery including Duart Castle and Dunollie castle which it passes on route. For more go to http://www.scotphoto.com/

AUTUMN PICS FOR TOP CLIENT JULY 27TH 09

Amongst other things today Tony was compiling a selection of Autumn shots for an important client for a future forthcoming launch.Dennis Hardley Photography at http://www.scotphoto.com/ supply Scottish imagery for both national and international clients.Amongst the pictures sent was this one taken on the south shore of loch Lomond last year.

HIKE UP LOCHETIVE SIDE INTO GLEN ETIVE

What a great walk this is from Inverawe and port na mine past all the logging areas and into the bowels of lower Glen Etive.On route I shot this unusual picture of the Bonawe Quarry with the island of Mull climbing forming the backdrop.This was taken with the Nikon D3X with a 70-300mm lens and polarizing filter.

Dennis Hardley and Nikon D3X camera

With some trading in and some wheeling and dealing I now have a new Nikon D3X 24 million pixel camera.This will compliment my Canon EOS1Ds Mk 111 21 mega pixels for our increasingly demanding workload requiring large high quality imagery.Here is a picture of myself with the new camera snapped by my son and business partner Tony on Saturday in upper Loch Etive.

BLUE FACE LEICESTER SHEEP ARGYLL JULY 09

Dennis Hardley noticed these two guys huddled in a field at Seaview croft near Benderloch.They belong to Allan MacKellor and their ears popped up when I approached them to take this shot with a canon 70-200 f2.8 lens. Always have your camera with you.

SUNSET OVER CAMP SITE NR BENDERLOCH JULY 09

On Friday 17th July Photographer Dennis Hardley was visiting Seaview caravan and camping site near Benderloch, Argyll when there was this great red glow in the sky as the sun went down and because Dennis always has a camera with him he captured the event on his canon EOS1Ds digital SLR firmly placed on a tripod.Here is the shot he captured.Seaview camp site is a great place to stay if you are in the area with a fine beach only a few hundred yards away.

WALK AROUND THE ISLAND OF ERISKA ARGYLL

Today Dennis Hardley took his camera gear and walking boots onto the Isle of Eriska.This is a privately owned island and has a very prestigious hotel and Spa with its own golf course. At the south end of the island I grabbed this shot with a 16-35mm f2.8 lens + sturdy tripod and neutral density filter. The image looks across towards the Morvern hills and Lismore from Eriska's rugged coastline. Please check-out http://www.scotphoto.com/ to see more of Dennis Hardley's pics. and also http://www.isleoferiskahotel.com/

WALK AROUND ISLAND OF ERISKA TODAY

Dennis Hardley was photographing the island of Eriska today and found this unusual rock formation which shows folded phyllite Metamorphic rock on the west side of the island.This is a lovely island surrounded by great views west towards the Morvern hills.More shots of the island will appear tomorrow.

FOOD SHOOT AT BARCALDINE HOUSE HOTEL

Today Dennis and Tony From Dennis Hardley Photography had a busy morning photographing Food at Barcaldine house hotel.Here is another dish we photographed,Its a"Parfait of Steam marmalade pudding in raspberry puree." We spent some time getting the right angle onto this dish but I am very happy with the final result. Thanks to head chef Craig for his full cooperation.

For lots more samples of Food imagery go to http://www.scotphoto.com/ then choose Food.

http://www.barcaldinehouse.co.uk/

FOOD SHOOT AT BARCALDINE HOUSE HOTEL

Photographing food is an interesting and challenging subject and is best achieved with the full cooperation of the chef who can produce eye catching and interesting food. Food presentation is in itself an art.The photographers job is to capture and do justice to the food presented to him. The next dish photographed at Barcaldine house hotel was Breast of Duck with chive mash,carrot puree,sage cream,plum sauce and red union jam For samples of Dennis Hardley's food photography go to http://www.scotphoto.com/

/food html

FOOD SHOOT AT BARCALDINE HOUSE HOTEL

Today Dennis and son Tony of Dennis Hardley photography were commissioned to take food shots at Barcaldine house Hotel in Argyll. Working with Craig ferguson (head Chef) we set about photographing a selection of dishes for the hotels web site. First off was a Lobster salad with fresh Herbs.

This was served up on a slabe of slate.

TODAYS PICTURES JULY 13TH

Dennis Hardley professional commercial and landscape photographer from Benderloch spotted this couple whilst they were taking a break from their Cycling tour of Scotland. Martin and Louise from Yorkshire had been visiting the gardens at Arduaine when Dennis grabbed some shots with the couples consent.Here is one of the shots taken with a 70-200 canon f2.8 lens. Check out Dennis Hardley s website at http://www.scotphoto.com/

TODAYS PICTURES JULY 13TH

Today Dennis and Tony paid a visit to the Loch Melfort hotel where we took a few new shots of the hotel from their new pond and the lovely foreshore around the hotel. The cloud formations were excellent and it was a matter of waiting around getting these in the right position so that the reflections of the hotel and clouds have a nice composition.Here is one of the pictures we took.

TRIP TO ISLAND OF ARRAN 9-10TH JULY 09

Professional Photography is all about getting the most out of the day and being in the right place at the right time.As you know sunsets cant be predicted but you do get a feel over the years for the conditions that lead up to them.I was staying in Corrie village but at 21.30hrs decided to drive over to Lochranza for a possible sunset at the castle. At 22.30 hrs approx I took this picture of Lochranza castle.I got so engrossed in taking the shot that I hadn't noticed that the water was now over my boots. A very long day had come to a close but it was worth it.

TRIP TO ISLAND OF ARRAN 9-10TH JULY 09

Whenever I am on Arran and being a member of the National trust Brodick castle is certainly well worth a visit and I took this image with a new 14mm f2.8 Canon lens from the lower gardens.This fine castle overlooks Brodick bay and can be seen from Brodick village.

TRIP TO ISLAND OF ARRAN 9-10TH JULY 09

We had great conditions with white clouds and good clarity on the island as you can see in this image which looks across Lamlash bay towards Lamlash with the rocky mountain "Goat Fell"

grabbing the distant skyline. I used a good quality polarizing filter on this shot.For Commercial and landscape professional photography check out http://www.scotphoto.com/

All my work is available as high quality prints.

TRIP TO ISLAND OF ARRAN 9-10TH JULY 09

As part of Dennis hardley s ongoing commission to photograph a number of Scottish islands I crossed over to Arran by the Cleonaig-Lochranza ferry 30minutes.The beautiful island has a very rugged north end and a rolling fertile southern end with stunning view south to Pladda lighthouse and Ailsa Craig. Around the villages of Corrie and Sannox seals can be seen basking on the sandstone rocks offshore.Here are two shots of a Seal pup I took with a 100-400lense with 2x extender.

HELICOPTERS LAND AT OBAN AIRPORT JULY 8TH

Using a Canon 70-200 lens with a 2X extender I managed to grab this shot of one of the Puma helicopters that landed briefly today at 1500Hrs.The jets are still flying high above my home

as I write this blog at 2040Hrs.Keep up the good work lads.You do a great job.Also the sun is dominating a fairly clear sky.Here is my shot. I also cleaned my sensor on my camera tonight to remove specks in the upper third of the images.

I always carry a powerful blower which I use on the sensor most days to help keep it clean.

MILITARY EXERCISE NEAR OBAN AIRPORT JULY 8TH 09

Dennis Hardley was out again with his camera gear today completing a commission of the Loch Etive area.However there was also a lot of military planes in the same area including a Tornado F3 on CAP over the airfield.Then two RAF Puma helicopters landed briefly at 1500Hrs,This was followed by an RAF Hercules doing an overshoot from the north.Dennis managed to capture this shot with a 70-200 lens.The Tornado later made several low runs across the airfield(Not too low) Whilst I'm writing this up on my Blog at 2030Hrs the Tornado is back overhead.

TONY S BEN LORA SUMMIT WALK SUNDAY JUly 5TH

Tony Hardley photographer and partner son at Dennis Hardley photography made two trips up Ben Lora Sunday 5th July with him was his niece Fe Fe age 13 years who also made the two trips .On the first climb the lighting was not suitable so they returned for lunch.After a lot of waiting around on 2nd climb at around 5pm the lighting was more interesting so here is one of Tony's shots taken on a EOS1Ds Mk 11 with a 28-135 lens.Well done Fiona!! I think a little extra pocket money would be appropriate.

ISLE OF ERISKA HOTEL CALENDAR 6TH JUNE 09

The Isle of Eriska Hotel calendar was a great success in 2009 and we at Dennis Hardley photography are busy putting together the 2010 version. The Hotel is situated on a scenic island surrounded by spectacular views to the east and west. Another image being considered is this sunset afterglow across the jetty from the south end of the island.

ISLE OF ERISKA HOTEL CALENDAR 6TH JUNE 09

Today my son and partner Tony spent today compiling and formatting the new 2010 calendar for the very prestigious Isle of Eriska Hotel ,Island ,and Spa , after the great success of their 2009 calendar . Like the previous one this 2010 calendar will contain 12 views taken within and from this beautiful island complex,situated on the scenic west Highland coast.One of the images being considered is this one showing winter reflections on Loch Creran at dusk.

TRIP TO GLEN ETIVE SUNDAY 5TH JUNE 09

Dennis captured this image on his trip into lower Glen Etive ,this old croft was on the roadside with Hens, Cockerels,ducks on sentry duty outside.The croft also had old doors with flaked paint and other interesting features.I also ran around in front of the Cockerel with a very wide lens placing the camera on the floor in front of the creature and snapping away.Dennis Hardley has a portfolio of over 25,000 images of Scotland.Enjoy your photography!!
Visit http://www.scotphoto.com/ and the link to http://www.ineedanimage.com/

GLEN ETIVE TRIP SUNDAY 5TH jUNE 09

Professional photographer Dennis Hardley spent Sunday shooting images down in the bowels of lower Glen Etive amidst the towering Glencoe hills.This road terminates on the north shore of loch Etive.The light was quite good with patchy sunlight hitting the hillside as seen in this image from the river looking back up the glen.My recommendation is to aim for a shutter speed of 15th/sec to get the water looking as if it is flowing.Off course you will need a tripod for this.Here is my picture which I am quite pleased with.Check out my website at www.scotphoto.com

TRIP TO ISLE OF TIREE 10TH 11TH JUNE 09

HERE IS A PICTURE OF ONE OF TIREE S MANY PRESERVED CROFTS IN FACT THE WHOLE ISLAND IS AN MUSEUM OF CROFT TYPES.ONCE AGAIN USED A TRIPOD HERE IN ORDER TO GET THE FOREGROUND TAP VERY SHARP AS WELL AS THE CROFT.AFTER 40 YEARS OF PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY I STILL JUST LOVE THE FINDING AND CAPTURING OF SCENES LIKE THESE.

TRIP TO ISLAND OF BARRA JUNE 09

HERE IS ANOTHER OF MY SUNSETS TAKEN ON THE WEST COAST OF BARRA THIS TIME MY SON TONY WHO IS MY PARTNER CAN BE SEEN ON THE SHORE.i REALLY LIKE THE NATURAL FLARE FROM THE SUN ON THIS SHOT AND THE GREEN TEXTURE WITHIN THE WATER. ALSO THE WARM LIGHT IS STRIKING THE ROCKS ON THE RIGHT.A TRIPOD WAS USED TO GET MAXIMUM DEPTH OF FIELD.HOPE YOU LIKE.REMEMBER MY WEBSITE AT http://www.scotphoto.com/ AND http://www.ineedanimage.com/

TRIP TO ISLAND OF BARRA JUNE 09

Remember my latest trip to the Hebridean island of Barra.I promised I would show you more pictures taken on the island.Here is a picture taken at Crannag looking down onto Traigh Mhor sands.These are the sands the daily flights land from Glasgow using a twin otter aircraft and operated by FlyBe. Most of my images are taken on a Canon EOS1Ds Mk3 digital camera and in this instance using a 16-35 f2.8 wide angle lens.

LEWISIAN GNEISS SAMPLE FROM BARRA JUNE 09

As you know if you follow my blog I have an interest in the geology of the places I visit.so whilst on the beautiful island of Barra in the outer Hebrides I made a point of collecting a fine specimen of the Lewisian Gneiss which is one of the oldest rocks in Britain.On Barra the Gneiss is well glaciated or (smoothed over) by the ice age.But there are roadside quarries where you can chip away with a hammer(please wear protective goggles) and hopefully collect a decent fresh sample which represents this metamorphic rock in its true form. So here is an image of my pride and joy.

THE LOCH LEVEN HOTEL BALLACHULISH

Dennis Hardley photography was commissioned to photograph this fine hotel in the heart of the Glencoe hills at Ballachulish.We have shown you some food shots and in an earlier blog posting we did all the exterior imagery. So now its time to meet some of the Staff seen here with the first lady of the hotel Hilary. (second from left).
Go to http://www.lochlevenhotel.co.uk/ As a footnote please go to www.scotphoto.com/latest09.html
for a glimpse of some new island imagery.

THE LOCH LEVEN HOTEL JUNE 3RD 09

Today we revisited this beautifully situated hotel (which can be seen from the Ballachulish bridge,) as part of an ongoing photo commission to update all of their imagery.The first thing you notice about this hotel is the nice friendly atmosphere within.This is mainly due to the first lady!
Hilary(proprietor) of this fine establishment who has a wonderful and colourful personality which is reflected down throughout her staff.They also have a wonderful Chef who produces the
popular menu.One of our jobs as professional photographers is to get in close and capture the food in mouth-watering detail. Here are two dishes from their menu. Grilled argyll lamb chops and Creme Caramel on Strawberry Coulis

TIREE A BEAUTIFUL ISLAND

Remmember I visited Tiree a couple of weeks ago,well here is another picture depicting the famous Machair which can be seen around late may and throughout June.I was on Tiree as part of a commission and although the island is famously flat and low it does have many truly amazing beaches.You can see some of these on my website at http://www.scotphoto.com/ and go to latest landscapes 09.Meanwhile take a look at this shot near Balevullin showing the amazing profussion of flowers known as the Machair.