an unusual four-hands article and images on the Outer Hebrides of Scotland
seen through SIGMA cameras and lenses.
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When landscape photography is a passion it happens to meet a lot of people.
Most of them a little crazy.
Maybe for that, it happens that Lea Tippett - SIGMA UK Ambassador - and Marco Dadone – SIGMA ITALIA Ambassador -, despite the distance, sometimes share a few days of adventure at unbearable hours, which means never sleep and always search for the lights.
This helped a genuine friendship to grow, in situations where most of the “normal” people would run away, between howling winds and horizontal rain.
The perfect playground for this kind of insane sport have been lately the majestic Outer Hebrides of Scotland.
(image by LEA TIPPETT, Sigma SDQH + Sigma 14-24 Art)
Our eyes were SIGMA CAMERAS AND LENSES as we have the pleasure to use a wide range of items. SIGMA is offering the right choice for every situation: in this case to travel light we went for the “little beast” DP0 Quattro which was always in our pockets, together with some of the amazing line-up of the ART LENSES from SIGMA, great to photograph in low lights and with artsy results, due to the f.1.4 aperture of most of them.
(image by Marco Dadone, Sigma SDQH + Sigma 24 mm Art)
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So we begin:
come to discover the pristine lights at the turning of the night into day in one of west Harris’ most fascinating part, an almost endless strip of fine white sand facing the ocean and the faraway high hills, a perfect place of harmony
(LEA TIPPETT, dp0 Quattro)
Then jump only a few miles east to contemplate the union of the elements, on a rocky headland in that same Harris coastline, and in that ethereal moment
do make a wish
(MARCO DADONE, dp0 Quattro)
You could notice that the extreme 3D feeling together with sharpness even at pixel level and film-feeling and mood are –hopefully- all there, adding a peculiar touch to the beauty of these lands made of water, stones, wind and sand.
(image by MARCO DADONE, Sigma SDQH + Sigma 24 mm Art)
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Now take a long breath, we’re leaving this almost unbearable beauty… let’s venture inland;
these islands have some hidden treasures…
First, be careful not to get lost in the maze of lochs
(LEA TIPPETT, Sigma dp0 Quattro)
These water-mirrors in good weather will watch You as eyes reflecting the sky,
in cloudy times appear as places of mystery from a tale by some obscure Scottish writer, and when mist comes up from the sea, they can indeed bring You elsewhere.
While You’re walking on the soft moorland and approach these lakes,
shapes as mystic symbols could appear, straight from another dimension
(MARCO DADONE, Sigma dp0 Quattro)
And, between lakes and moorland, traces of the times long gone.
It is a somehow dangerous field, vibrant and full of energy.
things have a soul of their own, You see
(LEA TIPPETT, Sigma dp0 Quattro)
It happens that these old crofts, that let You pass by without care when the sky is blue and the sun shines, become alive in moody weather, and –coming near- You could hear their breath, like an aura from the past.
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Mansion.
in this house I’m in
rain from the roof
winds through the walls
trees on the floor.
Every Thing touches this heart
and does not fade
(MARCO DADONE, Sigma SDQH + Sigma 24 mm Art)
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Time to head north, we’re on Lewis and the sense of open space is everywhere.
On Dalmhor beach to reach a gem of a place, the elements here shine in all their power.
(LEA TIPPETT, Sigma dp0 Quattro)
Don’t stumble upon the most amazing stones You can find …
Lewisian Gneiss, the oldest rocks in Britain and some of the oldest in the world.
(MARCO DADONE, Sigma SDQH + Sigma 24 mm Art)
(LEA TIPPETT, Sigma dp0 Q)
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Then take the old road,
if You are familiar with nowhere,
amongst pale blue shadows,
between rain and nights
hold Your candle
and go
(MARCO DADONE, SDQ + 24 mm Art)
At the end,
at the extreme tip of the islands, what did You expect if not a beacon,
rising from the fuss of the elements.
The northern part of Lewis, an open area where mother Nature rules and the sense of last frontier is palpable.
Wander amongst the high cliffs of the Butt of Lewis, to meet it.
(LEA TIPPETT, dp0 Quattro)
Where does this harmony comes from?
The sometimes angry, obscure, then peaceful and always perfect meeting of the elements.
Land melts into the sea
(LEA TIPPETT, Sigma dp0 Quattro)
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...sun melts into the ocean
(Marco Dadone, Sigma dp0 Quattro)
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Finally, there one thing impossible to avoid.
Everywhere in these magic islands You may roam, there’s always a centre, a core of energy
that is the call of Calanais.
(LEA TIPPETT, dp0 Q)
Do reach the low hills when the stone circles still hook every one with their magnetic sight,
wait to be alone, look for the moon bouncing
through these old creatures of the earth.
(MARCO DADONE, SDQH + 24 mm Art)
THIS BLOG BY:
Lea Tippett Sigma Ambassador UK
https://www.facebook.com/Lea-Tippett-Landscape-Photographer-115551955996835/
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Marco Dadone Sigma Ambassador Italy
https://www.marcodadofoto.com/
http://www.facebook.com/marco.dadone.landscape.photography
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SIGMA IN UK:
https://www.sigma-imaging-uk.com/
SIGMA IN ITALY:
https://www.m-trading.it/sigma-m-13.html
Equipment used:
-SIGMA dp0 Quattro: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/cameras/dp-series/#dp0
-SIGMA SDQH: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/cameras/sd-series/#sd-h
-SIGMA 24 mm f1.4 DG HSM Art:
https://www.sigma-global.com/en/lenses/cas/product/art/a_24_14/:
-SIGMA 12-24 mm f2.8 DG HSM Art:
https://www.sigma-global.com/en/lenses/cas/product/art/a_14_24_28/