Sense of Place

Sense of Place

The pinkish crystal grey blue haze of early dawn crossing over the clear turquoise skies of the south of France; the soft waters of the Clyde winding west below the Erskine bridge offering the widest panoramas; the unbelievable array of colours in the Smokey Mountains from rich reds to clearest vibrant oranges to deepest greens; crossing the Staten Island ferry passed the statue of liberty, and thinking of those looking for freedom and new beginnings;

the pure white sands of a nature reserve off Florida’s west coastline with only the seagulls for company; walking the south bank and the bridges over to St Pauls and I feel all the footsteps and the sense of history here; the bold drama of white capped peaks above Rannoch moor at Glencoe; a local walk from a broad waterfall to the forth estuary where the light is often bright grey; the late golden rays caress the mountain skylines as the train trip on my return from Edinburgh to Glasgow.

Sometimes we just experience magic moments and they are worth capturing.

Last week I heard a photography lecturer dissect the famous Bresson image for nearly 30 minutes. It appeared less about the image and much more about the words - but to me this famous shots is quite simply about a good reflection.

Photography is about what inspires us, and motivates our deepest passions and as with other art forms – it’ is about expressing ourselves. I take photos of many things; mostly festivals and live gigs. But I also appreciate photography of places – whether Ansel Adams almost spiritual back and white captures of the majesty of Yosemite Park. I have many ‘Treasures Places’

Quote – ‘Dawn was just coming up over the Grand Canyon, the creeping light illuminating each rock it touched with impossible shades of red, ochre, yellow and pink. You blinked and blinked again, involuntarily. That morning the canyon exceeded its billing as one of the rare places that surpasses anything a camera can capture. Meanwhile a dispelled bloke from Sheffield said yet again he was cold, he was hung over and wanted his breakfast. He gazed out over the astonishing vista, ‘Seen one Grand Canyon, and you’ve seen them all.’

Some people are like that. Place is just somewhere they happen to be… the dead of spirit don’t much mind if every room in every Holiday Inn is the same as every other room, if every Big Mac taste exactly like every other big Mac….’Ian Bell

Swiss Writer Arno Camenisch

Arno Camenisch, Swiss writer of prose, poetry and plays in Germanand Rhaeto-Romanic at the Edinburgh International Book Festival. Credit Pauline Keightley. Copyright:pkimage09@gmail.com.
Writer Arno had so much character!

Writer Patrick Ness

Patrick Ness, British writer, journalist, lecturer, children's books, Chaos Walking trilogy, a Monster Calls, at the Edinburgh International Book Festival. Credit Pauline Keightley. Copyright: pkimage09@gmail.com
Patrick was fun to shoot.

Christoph Simon

Christoph Simon, Swiss writer and winner of the 2010 Bern Literature Prize, at The Edinburgh International Book Festival. Credit Pauline Keightley. Copyright: pkimage09@gmail.com.
 Sometimes in Edinburgh the light is soft and beautiful and the quality of these images of Christoph were simply perfect.

Italy Light, Abrusso

VIKING GALAXY rocked Bannermans

VIKING GALAXY rocked Bannerman’s for Dougie's birthday. In the summer they recorded their debut album First Contact. They performed songs form the album – Raid & Pillage; Sickle of Hate; Galactic Plunder; Lost Forever’ Shaft of Agony’ Hall the Slain; Space Chariots.

20th April Viking Galaxy play their debut Album launch gig at Love Music Glasgow.  http://www.lovemusicglasgow.com/

Viking Galaxy list themselves as a metal music band while they are also influenced by 70s soul and bands such as Mastodon and Red Hot Chilli Peppers.  https://www.facebook.com/vikinggalaxy 

scottish folk singer kris drever and eamonn coyne

winter snow

christmas scenes glasgow

NME Awards tour Glasgow O2

The tour was headlined by Mercury nominated Django Django, who met at Edinburgh Art college and whose debut album has received good reviews. The band had an energetic electronic keyboard player who played creatively and the band offer a new sound.

Palma Violets had charisma and are being hyped extensively in NME. Miles Kane proved a stage veteran and clad in buttoned up leather he had good banter with the crowd were well up for his set!. Kanes songs have catchy bass rhythms.    

Bellowhead Celtic Connections