The Photography of Dr. Jeff Harper

Although I have left Scotland and am living back in Bangkok now, I am still going through photos I took on my many photographic rambles.  This entry is of a three day ramble (mostly the northeast of Scotland) I took when my good friend John Stiles visited me.  I took many, many photos on this ramble, so it will take some time for me to complete it. These are 'The Best of John's Visit.'  Enjoy.

A North Sea sunrise along the Aberdeen Esplanade. Just above freezing.

First Light.  North Sea.

A church along an Aberdeenshire rural road.

Stunning November weather for northeast Scotland.

I the middle of the Aberdeen city centre is a wonderful church and cemetery.

When an old friend visits that you haven't seen in a while, and it's Halloween, and you are in an old graveyard . . . you must play!

After that stunning sunrise at the Aberdeen Esplanade, our day one ramble took us up the coast to the little fishing berg of Baddam where the hulls of the beached trawlers provided extraordinary abstract studies in decay and color.

The lighthouse at Baddam.

Exposed rocks near Baddam harbour.

The austere old section of Baddam village.

All along our small road route, we were continually 'discovering' fantastically beautiful scenes.

The stunning Fyvie Castle.

Gorgeous autumn scenes all around the grounds of Fyvie Castle.

Superb Fall colors reflected in the castle goose pond.

For three glorious days we rambled about the small roads of northeast Scotland.  My AWD Juke NISMO was the perfect car for the narrow, winding, wet-leaf-covered country lanes.

Castles and castle ruins everywhere in Aberdeenshire.

The Aberdeenshire roads would alternately suddenly diving into the deep shade of small forests . . .

. . . and back out onto the bright, stone wall lined country roads.

We were always up for a quick stop at an old country cemetery.

There is so much to see in the old cemeteries: colors, textures, old surfaces . . . . and . . . .

. . .  and the occasional Class III freefloating spirit vapour.

Autumn in a Scottish cemetery can be very beautiful.

No trip to Aberdeenshire would be complete without a stop at New Slaines Castle . . . a photographer's paradise.

A stairwell in the ruins of New Slains Castle.

Some of the views from inside the castle ruins onto the North Sea were stunning.

North Sea view from New Slaines Castle, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

John and I spent several hours wandering around inside the ruins of New Slaines Castle enjoying the play of light and shadow on the deserted halls and rooms . . . . . . as well as making portraits of each other among the ruins.

The castle on the North Sea cliffs, New Slaines.

The Benholme Kirke, built on the site of a 9th century hermitage.

Although we interrupted the Benholm Kirke bookkeeper . . . but he obliged with a tour and short history of this interesting place.

Benholm Kirke had a fine old 'kirkegaard' as well.

Moss and lichen-covered grave stone and ancient cottage slate roof . . .

We sometimes consulted the GPS as to any 'points of interest' . . . and discovered this old mill.

The sluice and water wheel were still there and still intact.

Down by the Old Mill Stream . . . A photographer's dream!

The opportunities for still life studies of mill paraphernalia was incredible.  I enter only a few of the many beautiful photographs I took here.

An old mill stone.

An old mill stone made of several stone segments.

The wood-shimed center bearing of an old mill stone.

One morning we drove south on the old coastal road to the fishing village of Johnshaven.

The Johnshaven townsfolk had quite the sense of humor!

Johnshaven was a grey and austere village (like many Scottish villages) but with a splash of color here and there.

The fine old stone harbour jetty of Johnshaven.

Johnshaven is a fishing village with many great nautical-themed photos to be had.

Old anchors in the boatyards.

Low tide along the Johnshaven sea wall.

The only bad weather we saw during three days.  A stormy North Sea.

Near Montrose there were signs of a recent flood of the River Esk.

Whenever we would see magic light on an old stone building we would stop and take photographs.

We stopped for coffee one late afternoon in the old market town of Montrose.

Yes, more ghoulish fun . . . in the Montrose Cemetery.

Montrose had some fine statues in the town square . . . here a good Samaritan was honored.

Montrose is typical of many Scottish towns.

OK, maybe Montrose is not so typical after all.

But what I will remember most about Montrose was the most incredible sunset of my life playing over us across the estuary bridge!

From beginning to end . . . we were completely enthralled.

Another day along the small country lanes above the North Sea.

Old farm houses along a strand of the North Sea.

A wild North Sea below the cliffs of Aberdeenshire.

North Sea hay bales.

We saw so much and did so much in those short three days . . . and this blog entry represents only a small part of it all.  I may elaborate more on this entry at a later date, but for now, that is all.