Wild World

2011-09-27T20:30:00.001+01:00

This is a piece of glass in an exhibition at the Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. Sorry, artist unknown.

2011-09-25T11:01:00.000+01:00

My lovely daughter.

The 2 pictures shown are of my daughter. The top one is the fully processed shot, underneath is the untouched Camera Raw original, straight off the camera.
The purists may argue about techniques but I see the camera as part of the process in producing an image. I was brought up using chemicals in a darkroom, limited by techniques and materials and shut away for hours on end.

Now, as you are aware....things are so different.

You must ask yourself "What do I want to achieve?"
Then allow your creative talents and abilities to flow until you reach the point of contentment and satisfaction.

You are either with me or against me.

Auchmithie Beach

2011-07-06T17:01:00.001+01:00

One of my favourite techniques, the welding glass filter.
click on the image for a larger view.

Portraits

2011-05-26T09:26:00.006+01:00

These are some portraits of people very dear to me.

Mobile phone Pictures

2011-05-11T10:26:00.003+01:00

All the pictures in this blog section were taken on my mobile phone.
Click on the image for a larger view.

Auchmithie Beach Long Exposures

2011-04-25T21:18:00.002+01:00

These images were taken using a welding glass as an ND filter. Click on an image to enlarge.

El Guapo

2011-03-10T10:38:00.002Z

NO FLUSHING ZEE GUNS DOWN THE TOILET.

Paul

2011-02-21T19:00:00.002Z

I drove past this billboard for the new film 'Paul' and couldn't resist going back to take the shot.

WORLD DAY by Aan Wild.

2011-02-01T19:55:00.002Z

CLICK ON THE IMAGE FOR A LARGER VIEW.

Lissie

2011-01-27T21:02:00.002Z

An archived live shot of Lissie in Edinburgh 2010.

Arbroath Harbour wall

2011-01-27T19:08:00.002Z

click on the image for a larger view

This was taken today, mid afternoon, using my 3 Cokin graduated filters.

I'd also forget to set my image capture quality to RAW so this was taken using small JPEG. This meant i didn't get to fiddle with the image very much.

A much calmer atmosphere from previous occassions.

Ultravox - Remembering Eden book

2011-01-08T15:36:00.003Z

This book on Ultravox due out soon includes articles and photographs documenting the bands success in the 80's and I believe there is even a section devoted to my small place in the band's history.

click on the link below to get a wee taster.

http://www.rememberingeden.co.uk/preview-AlanWild.html

http://www.electricity-club.co.uk/html/eden.html

Photographer makes a big splash at Scottish Parliament.

2010-12-12T12:46:00.009Z

(click on image for a larger view)

Edinburgh, Sat 11th Dec 2010 approx 8.30pm

I had taken a few shots of the Discovery Centre which was lit up in different colours and had then moved onto this location (above).
This is the second last shot before I walked straight into the unlit fountain, right in the deep bit (approx 3ft).
As I stepped onto fresh air this was followed by a huge splash as I fell sideways into the fountain.
I managed to keep my head and Canon EOS 5D mkii above the water but the rest of me got completely soaked as I crashed through the thin ice into the freezing water. I quickly got to my feet and had a quick look around, trying to figure out what just happened

NO WITNESSES AT ALL

As I squelched my way 200 yards back to my car, my jacket pockets full of water, I started to feel the effects of my cold, wet , heavy clothes.
Fortunately I had my salopettes in the boot and swiftly changed into them. I put my wet boots back on and got into the car with the heater blowing hot air onto my feet.
Eventually as I thawed out, I sat in the car totally gobsmacked by what had happened. How one minute I was happily taking photographs and the next second I'm plunged into the icy depths.
I drove back to the fountain area and parked up next to the bus stop and checked out where and what had just happened.
As you can see from the image above (25 second exposure) the fountain is unlit. There are lights in the water but they were not on. Also from the image (click on it for a larger view) you may notice a half submerged section of crowd barrier in the middle of the fountain, which I may add is at ground level. Nothing to stop anyone from falling straight in.
I'm sure at this point you are trying not to laugh as you read this but somehow I find this unacceptable that this could happen in these days of Health & Safety, and I'm very lucky I did not crack my head on the shallow ledge next to the deep part.
The next thought that struck me was that surely there is CCTV operating in this area and some wee security man was inside the Parliament building watching the events unfold and having a right laugh to himself while thinking of his £250 for 'You've Been Framed' or how many hits he would get on YouTube.
The really down side is that my camera is not working now. Although it is 'waterproof'
and it stayed above the water, it did get splashed with the impact of me hitting the water.
I know this sounds like a comedy sketch but as I look back on events the next day I realise how serious this could have been.

SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT'S REPLY - RECEIVED TODAY FRIDAY 14TH JAN 2010

Dear Mr Wild,

I refer to your accident which you describe as having occurred at the ponds on the front concourse of the Parliament premises at approximately 8.30pm on 11th December and which you reported to me on 20th December. In your statement you advised that you had been taking photographs beside the ponds, and stepped sideways while looking at your camera, and without looking where you were placing your feet, as a result of which you fell into the pond. Having considered the circumstances, I find nothing to support the view that the Scottish Parliament is liable for your accident.

While I am sympathetic to your situation, I have concluded that the accident would not have occurred had you taken appropriate care for your own safety, in what you acknowledge in your statement were dark and icy conditions. I am therefore unable to offer any compensation for any loss you may have incurred.

Yours Sincerely,
Jake Fenton. Health & Safety Advisor

Jacob's ladder

2010-11-25T08:56:00.003Z

Under the City of Edinburgh on a cold, wet Saturday night. Click on the image to enlarge.

Under the City

2010-11-24T09:39:00.005Z

It was a cold wet night.....people were above, running in all directions.
I could hear ghastly screams...explosions could be heard nearby and also in the distance.
Under ground, below City level, lived the poor. People who would struggle from day to day trying to survive, to feed themselves, to shelter from the elements. Whilst all the time the rich folks above were basking in luxury, oblivious through choice I may add to all that was going on beneath them. Yes, 'beneath them'. For so many years the rich got richer and the poor got poorer. The tax paying public, of all varieties of wealth and poverty, had been drained completely over the years.

Forth Road Bridge

2010-11-22T20:12:00.002Z

EICC Building

2010-11-17T10:10:00.004Z

In Edinburgh for a few days so I'm taking the opportunity to get some night time photography shots. This is the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

Ultravox Return to Eden

2010-11-11T11:47:00.004Z

Below is the link to an article regarding my days with Ultravox.
For those wishing to read it, just click on the link.

Ultravox article

http://www.alanwildphotography.co.uk/16.html

Bruce Findlay

2010-11-05T12:56:00.004Z

Bruce Finday - Old friend I hadn't seen for a long time.
Nice to catch up after all these years.
http://www.schoolhousemanagement.co.uk/

Lissie live in Glasgow

2010-10-28T22:16:00.000+01:00

Welding Glass Images

2010-09-03T10:02:00.003+01:00

All these shots were taken using a £2.99 welding glass attached to the lens hood with Postie man's red elastic bands.

Lissie at T in the Park

2010-07-17T10:37:00.004+01:00

Click on the link Lissie Slideshow

The Boy who trapped the Sun

2010-07-11T10:12:00.000+01:00

T in the Park 2010. Click on the image for a larger view.

Diagram of the Heart

2010-07-11T10:05:00.003+01:00

2010 at TITP this is the lead singer of Diagram of the Heart. Click on the image for a larger view.

Lissie at T in the Park

2010-07-11T07:49:00.001+01:00

Click on the image for a larger view.

Lissie in Edinburgh

2010-06-18T13:55:00.005+01:00

Click on the images for a larger view.

Connections

2010-06-01T15:50:00.001+01:00

The Forth Bridges, from South Queensferry.

Forth Bridge

2010-05-19T06:54:00.000+01:00

A storm approaches the bridge from the North Queensferry side.

Evening at the Friarton nature reserve.

2010-05-03T08:29:00.002+01:00

A lovely evening sunset over the man made nature reserve found just under the Friarton Bridge outside perth.

Christmas Preparations

2010-04-30T16:16:00.002+01:00

Getting ready for Christmas.....2016 maybe. Over 6000 trees being planted by one man over three days.

The End....new beginning.

2010-04-24T22:01:00.001+01:00

Breaking light over the River Tay.

Arbroath harbour wind

2010-04-05T20:35:00.001+01:00

Never leave home without your camera, you just never know what you'll see.

Click on the image for a larger view.

Deserted Beach at Iona.

2010-04-04T08:52:00.001+01:00

Peace and calm and serenity.

Breached Harbour

2010-04-02T22:29:00.000+01:00

Storm over the sea wall at Arbroath harbour.

Viewpoint

2010-04-02T22:22:00.001+01:00

This was taken from the view point on the Ross of Mull.

Mull & Iona....moments.

2010-03-03T20:08:00.007Z

Resting.
Two old friends...together forever? Location - Salen, Mull.
Click on any of the images for a larger view.

Ruin
Found nearby the grounds of the Abbey on Iona.

A beatiful day with gorgeous scenery.

Tide Out.

This old boat was found on route to the Iona ferry.

At Peace.
These two old wrecks lying on the beach at Salen.
A popular subject for photographers visiting the area.

Tide out, Salen.

Footpath to one of the many white sandy beaches on Iona.

This is one of many shots of the old pier at Salen on the Isle of Mull.

I took many at different tides using different techniques but this one works for me.

2010-02-14T09:36:00.001Z

2010-02-06T13:12:00.002Z

Just an out of focus picture with no rlevance at all.

Ma Tay is freezin!

2010-01-11T15:31:00.000Z

A shot of the River Tay during a bleak winter spell.

Defenders of Arbroath

2009-12-18T10:29:00.004Z

Numan & Wild 30 years on.

2009-11-28T09:59:00.003Z

30 years on and we meet again. I went to see Gary Numan in Glasgow last night. Great to see him again, we had a blether and a laugh, a great night.

HDR - High Dynamic Range

2009-11-23T20:56:00.002Z

Taken today from under the Friarton Bridge just outside Perth.

A9 Cloud formation.

2009-11-15T09:13:00.002Z

Sadly I couldn't find anything for foreground interest to set this picture but I do love the cloud formation.

Taken from the dual carriageway between Dundee and Perth.

Classic Cars.

2009-11-10T19:23:00.007Z

I found these pictures I'd taken from a couple of years ago and only today did I work them out.....
They were 'nice' pics originally, but I think after a couple of years they have improved with knowledge of processing.

And finally......Christine.

Tay Bridge - Day Seven.

2009-11-07T22:43:00.022Z

So a nicotine free day seven has arrived....a beautiful morning in Tayside. So off I went in search of an image capture. I found myself in Wormit opposite Dundee on the other side of the River Tay. I took some shots of the Tay Rail Bridge, I've been after this location for a while now. I finally got there.
Just click on the picture to see a larger view.

I'll post a few other shots later.....

The above image was bracketed using 6 different exposures, I then combined them using HDR processing in Photomatix.

There you go...now you know!

......and finally, the shot below from a slightly different angle.

Day Six

2009-11-06T09:43:00.008Z

So day six and I'm kicking the ass of nicotine. Not missing it at all, not in the slightest!
Got the day off from work so will try and get some photos maybe?

I don't have a ND10 filter so I dismanteld my welding mask and removed the glass.
I found a way to attach the glass to the lens hood using elastic bands. Hey Presto..an ND12 filter.
The above image and the ones below were shot using the welding glass, it does leave a green colour cast but that can easily be balanced out in Lightroom.

Crashing waves

2009-11-05T13:26:00.003Z

Waves coming over the sea wall at Arbroath

Promise to Myself

2009-11-01T08:43:00.002Z

So today is the first day of not smoking. I've been there before but tended to start up again after months of eating everything in sight.
Hopefully I'll be able to save up for the Canon 5D....

Graphic Illustrations

2009-10-26T18:42:00.008Z

Tribute to Freddie Mercury.

Dundee's finest? Desperate Dan & Minnie the Minx

Day of the World

Stormy Arbroath

2009-10-23T10:30:00.004+01:00

The waves crashing over the harbour wall were amazing and many folk braved the elements to watch this spectacle, getting soaked in the process.

High seas in Arbroath

2009-10-20T19:39:00.004+01:00

After finishing work at the Webster theatre, I took a walk along to the harbour and got some shots of the waves crashing against the harbour walls. Click on the pics for larger views.

Weekend in Cromarty.

2009-10-18T20:34:00.010+01:00

Mhairi and I would dearly love to move to Cromarty. Beautiful, beautiful scenery and absolutely wonderful friendly people.

Beautiful countryside and coastline. The light was great....so much to see and do....just relax!

What a fabulous place Cromarty is. GO THERE AND BE NICE TO FOLK!

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE IN CROMARTY AND THANK YOU MHAIRI FOR A WONDERFUL TIME.XXXXX

Look Ahead

2009-10-14T20:08:00.002+01:00

I'm sure this is where she'd love to live.

Cromarty

2009-10-14T12:47:00.034+01:00

Arrival in Cromarty.
Mhairi & I arrived in Cromarty late in the evening. it was all a bit dark and wet but it made shooting the harbour quite interesting.

Early morning view.
I was hoping that the grey skies would lift as this was my first morning in Cromarty...they didn't lift at all!

The following photographs are taken from a wee stroll through the streets. Click on an image for a larger view.

Cromarty Lighthouse - Established 1846

Engineer Alan Stevenson

Discontinued February 2006

click on the link for more details - Details

click here The Royal Hotel. for info
Located right on the harbour.

I recommend the Steak & black peppercorn sauce with peas, mushrooms, chips & onion rings.
A healthy plateful washed doon wi a Guiness and a wee dram.

Married to Mhairi

2009-10-14T10:46:00.003+01:00

Mhairi & Alan out on the town at Dundee Rep Theatre.

Arbroath.

2009-10-14T09:08:00.001+01:00

Harbour perimeter showing the Signal Tower.

View out to sea, part of the harbour signalling system.

Edinburgh Holyrood Park

2009-10-12T21:58:00.002+01:00

Recent shots from a brief visit to Edinburgh.
Views of St. Anthony's Chapel and Arthur's Seat.

Click the link for detailed information. Undiscovered Scotland.