https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/ https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/links.html https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/about.html https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/otheritems.html https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/gallery.html https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/news.html https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/risk-and-reward https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/chasing-the-milky-way-in https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/starting-a-photography-blog https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/page100816.html https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/page64537.html https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/page94571.html https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/page64547.html https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/page61387.html https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/audio-visuals-97168 https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/formula-1 https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/top-10 https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/motorsports https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/portfolio283627.html https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/street https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/wildlife https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/fine-art-monochrome https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/early-riser https://images.on-this.website/22980_140325234756157f7dd590b.jpgEarly Riser Early morning and a red stag bellows and stakes his ground in Bushy Park during the rut, mist hangs low over the heather in the background. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/out-of-the-water https://images.on-this.website/22980_859311666507b2eca0a309.jpgOut of The Water A horse and rider splashing out of the lake, Badminton horse trials https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/the-starlight-night https://images.on-this.website/22980_3938849305ab3f1e977e72.jpgThe Starlight Night Chasing stars at Shuraabad, the galactic core of the milky way peeps out from behind the mist hanging over the peninsula and a shooting star streaks overhead. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/light-the-way https://images.on-this.website/22980_6053979695d431ab9956ec.jpgLight the Way Cap Frehel, an hour before sunrise and the sky turns delicate purples and pinks as the lighthouse keeps any passing ships safe from the rocks beneath. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/buachaille-glow https://images.on-this.website/22980_33651164856ae2a6d43b3e.jpgBuachaille Glow An opportunistic picture as I was returning from Rannoch moor with all hope of sunset gone. The clouds have lifted and the sun sets behind Buachaille Etive Mor and it's smaller brother Buachaille Etive Beag above Glencoe and a fabulous display of pink rays breaks through the darkening clouds to illuminate the snow covered peaks. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo38200523.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_5232103925cd049fe8305c.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/dream-of-stars https://images.on-this.website/22980_2363973325f119b1516878.jpgDream of Stars Comet Neowise drifts through the skies over London as twilight starts to break the horizon. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/buduq-arch https://images.on-this.website/22980_16896057465d6a80eabea67.jpgBuduq Arch I love the full scale of the milky way arch as you see it in late summer in the Northern hemisphere. The village of Buduq sits in the high hills of Quba with a perfect view of the galactic centre on a clear summers night. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/beachy-head-pastel https://images.on-this.website/22980_15336712015f0a5d6a51513.jpgBeachy Head Pastel Pre dawn and the Venus belt turns the far horizon a delicate pink over the Beachy Head lighthouse. A stunning display of colour on a gentle summers morning. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/beacons https://images.on-this.website/22980_19467146486331f956e0ff1.jpgBeacons Beacon Mill on the outskirts of Brighton is not an obvious spot for night photography but it is surprisingly good as you look out into the dark English channel! I've seen some stunning pictures of the Milky Way here but wanted to try and put my own spin on the location. So the fantastic Andromeda galaxy rises high in the sky, trailed by the star Mirach, with the Triangulum galaxy just emerging above the Mill. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/san-michele-cemetery https://images.on-this.website/22980_11230424966777da019e29c.jpgSan Michele Cemetery A minimalist take on the San Michele cemetery. A 5 minutes long exposure to simplify the scene and the resulting image after processing is quite different to the pastel colours and blue water at sunset. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/over-the-walls https://images.on-this.website/22980_1045950000572d729370144.jpgOver the walls Baku flame towers peeping over the walls of the old city. I can imagine this shot at sunset with red skies behind the flames would be quite effective. Unfortunately it was a dull overcast morning when I was there. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/going-solo https://images.on-this.website/22980_61867908853b077d9528b1.jpgGoing Solo https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/orionids-over-lake-goygol https://images.on-this.website/22980_115030841259f434503246d.jpgOrionids over Lake Goygol Well before dawn and a meteor from the Orionids streaks through the sky over Lake Goygol. A calm still night with crystal clear skies, excellent conditions for stars, only as the sun came up did I notice the frost across the ground which explained why I was so cold!! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/raleigh-wins https://images.on-this.website/22980_177035703053b077dcd51f9.jpgRaleigh Wins https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/besh-barmagby-starlight https://images.on-this.website/22980_16811077435ad0e4f9c96b7.jpgBesh Barmag by Starlight A breezy night at Besh Barmag, a calm and clear forecast did not live up to its promises. The mountain didn't want to give up its secrets on this night. The Milky Way stayed hidden behind the clouds as we were buffeted by the wind. But a fun experience and I'll come back here later in the year to try again! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/pilgrims-way https://images.on-this.website/22980_6110408255b0124be3493b.jpgPilgrims Way Besh Barmag, the 5 fingered mountain looks small in comparison to the Milky Way arching over the Caspian Sea. Jupiter stands bright on the right of the image. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo33003671.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_178947816559c95581a724d.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/gallop https://images.on-this.website/22980_1889100368507b2ebf96ab2.jpgGallop https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo33818184.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_10082030145a3aa68141347.jpgElectric Light Show Light trails, skyscrapers and the Burj Khalifa towering over the the city, Dubai at it's most impressive display of lights and colours after dark. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/fire-in-the-sky https://images.on-this.website/22980_17719148555467a8c4ccd8d.jpgFire in the Sky The sun sets over Castle Stalker and the sky is on fire with colour. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/the-brittany-way https://images.on-this.website/22980_2648095545d431ac5561b7.jpgThe Brittany Way Dark skies over Brittany and the milky way rises over the our holiday farm. A peaceful night in the French countryside! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/shuraabad-arch https://images.on-this.website/22980_4727035825b0848b22f737.jpgShuraabad Arch I've wanted to try this shot for quite a while. I've always known that the light pollution of Baku would be immense, but I like the overall effect on this image. The Milky Way arches over the little fishermans hut on the Caspian Sea. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/pin-mill-reflections https://images.on-this.website/22980_929744172690935163f217.jpgPin Mill Reflections Some locations are classic for a reason. These boats are well shot and somewhere I had wanted to visit for a while. Leaving home in the middle of the night for a sunrise high tide was well worth it for this view!!! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo52229934.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_208220367666ff06e7e63ee.jpgFlower Moonset https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/caspian-simplicity https://images.on-this.website/22980_4551580405d07c88c054a4.jpgCaspian Simplicity A calm summers morning on the Caspian Sea, finding a composition on this expanse of featureless sand is not easy. Luckily these few scattered seashells make a nice focal point, countered with the busy ferries of the sea makes for a simple and clean image. It captures the mood perfectly. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/poetry-in-motion https://images.on-this.website/22980_13046158757d985ee91f23.jpgPoetry in Motion Sunrise at Shuraabad beach, playing with waves and movement is one of my favourite types of photography. A perfectly still morning watching the sky turn from deep red through tangerine to yellow. The aging fishermans structure is the icing on the cake. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/focal-point https://images.on-this.website/22980_211477397769ce745c752e5.jpgFocal Point Another image from a wander around the city of London. The tall buildings and perspective they offer opens up all sorts of creative possibilities with a bit of creative post processing. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/slipping-away https://images.on-this.website/22980_15992403505a9c491c32c85.jpgSlipping Away The final moments as the moon slips down behind a wintry mount Shahdag. Despite the morning light, colour doesn't do justice to this scene, best enjoyed in black and white. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/river-of-dreams https://images.on-this.website/22980_85619091462f01f030fac2.jpgRiver of Dreams This was my first serious night out for astrophotography in a while and it felt like a risky choice. The forecast promised much but is never a certainty in the UK. I knew the river would make a nice foreground from this spot, snaking in towards the milky way core, but would it be too far over, would the light from Seaford on the other side of the hills be too bright. Lots to go wrong!! In the end the skies cleared beautifully and the local light pollution was minimal making for a stunning view down the Cuckmere valley to the galactic centre. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/origin-of-man https://images.on-this.website/22980_3776096745b250c9b14a41.jpgOrigin of Man Standing between the ancient mud volcanoes and the even older Milky Way. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/old-meets-new-in-london https://images.on-this.website/22980_329502833666c9d2daf975.jpgOld Meets New in London City I’ve been enjoying long exposures recently and learning some new post processing techniques. I must admit I just enjoy trying to be creative and doing something new. As I’ve been injured recently and not able to get out to some of my more adventurous locations at night or early mornings this has given me chance to try some things a little easier and different but that I might not otherwise have done. So every cloud has a silver lining ! Anyway I loved this view from down on the beach under tower bridge, the old brickwork on the embankment and the new exotic city buildings. 6 minutes of reflections. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/buduq https://images.on-this.website/22980_13300135575d6a85a5401e9.jpgBuduq Sunset A panoramic view of Buduq village surrounded by the mountains of Quba. A beautiful summers evening as the sun sets and the clouds turn pink. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/stars-stripes https://images.on-this.website/22980_11019592045762f0fe1c5de.jpgStars & Stripes The Milky Way rises over the Candy Cane mountains, just outside Xizi, Azerbaijan. I could have spent all night taking pictures of this!! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/nightscape https://images.on-this.website/22980_17747402358595c546dfc6.jpgNightscape I love photographing the landscape by moonlight. It's amazing how much light is given off on a clear night, particularly over a bright snowy landscape. Moonlight generates beautiful soft shadows, and the strange combination of bright land with stars overhead plays tricks on the mind! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/castelvecchio-moon https://images.on-this.website/22980_2329766986217e1c7048de.jpgCastelvecchio Moon Quite a special sight watching the just past full moon rise over Ponte Di Castelvecchio in Verona. The moon went from a barely visible smudge to a beautiful orange ball in just a couple of minutes as it broke through the haze, quite challenging to shoot before the brightness overcomes the scene. I was pleased to actually see this, I feared the haze over the city would smother the low moons rising colour. Well worth the cold pizza slice I had to endure for dinner to be out for this :) https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/winter-in-the-mountains https://images.on-this.website/22980_17943592865c70008c2fefb.jpgWinter in the Mountains I love the big vista views, and it doesn't get much better than this. Snow capped mountain peaks beneath delicate pink and blue skies. The view from Qiriz village on a cold winters morning. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/taking-it-all-in https://images.on-this.website/22980_104687552574b39ead5a8b.jpgTaking it all in After a thoroughly enjoyable morning shooting the sunrise it was a pleasure to stop and take in the scene. Sometimes you get so wrapped up in taking pictures that you forget to just admire the view. Rolling fields, mountains, a smattering of clouds and some spectacular rays, it was nice to stop and take a breath. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/light-and-shadow-in-qusar https://images.on-this.website/22980_12319400395c1bb88bd3539.jpgLight and Shadow in Qusar An abstract view of the hills and slopes of Shahdag. First light highlights the ridges and contours of the landscape. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/after-all-the-shouting https://images.on-this.website/22980_946362043566b299dd70fd.jpgAfter all the shouting The rutt is finished and this is what it's all about. Mr stag has got his lady (or rather ladies as this was only one of his harem!). https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/collision-course https://images.on-this.website/22980_1530142155613b890e14890.jpgCollision Course Our closest neighbour the Andromeda galaxy, 2.5 million light years away and speeding towards us on a collision course in 4 billion years! This was the first time I've made a serious attempt at a deep space object. A couple of hours standing under the stars gathering images is thoroughly enjoyable. However it's also a nerve wracking experience waiting to see if it all comes together, in the end I'm so happy with the result!! Lots to learn and improve but this inspires me to try more and develop! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo31767830.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_18353420595022c06d39b.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/the-elizabeth-tower https://images.on-this.website/22980_1534055056665c2a1040381.jpgThe Elizabeth Tower A trip into London to shoot Westminster. Sunset coincided with high tide and the forecast was promising for sunset colour. I hoped for some reflections and colour, but in the end the weather stayed cloudy and breezy which killed any chances of either! However the streaking clouds made for superb long exposure conditions. A 5 minute exposure around sunset and a moody monochrome conversion, I do like this image. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/yellow-brick-road https://images.on-this.website/22980_128914954464cf9d21cd568.jpgYellow Brick Road I went out on the promise of clear skies and the sunrise lining up with some interesting London skyline. Initially it didn't look as promising as hoped, some low cloud in the distance interfering with the sunrise, breezy so no mist and the skyline in question was not looking great!! However I persevered and once the sun got a bit higher it started to shed some lovely golden haze through the clouds and light up the road nicely, then a cyclist came into view. In the end I was quite pleased with these and it was much better than I initially feared. A great reminder to persevere and see how the conditions develop. It's easy to get sucked into a plan and a particular outcome in mind, the ability to adapt and take the conditions as they come made for quite a special image this morning. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo28327860.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_133323933578d2ee843cf5.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/night-on-the-marshes https://images.on-this.website/22980_1732486533624952c924e6d.jpgNight on the Marshes Absolutely freezing but clear crisp skies made for superb milky way photography out on Romney March. The classic St Thomas a Beckett church is an iconic location I've long wanted to visit. So fuelled by coffee and wrapped up like an eskimo I spent a very enjoyable couple of hours under the stars here. It's a bit of a shame about the farm security lights glaring out on the edge of what is othershise a stunning dark sky site. There has been a structure on this site since 1200AD, 800 years, which pales into insignificance against the 27,000 years it has taken the light from the galactic centre to reach us before it entered my camera on Saturday morning! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/serenity https://images.on-this.website/22980_5620724405ee657edbb3b6.jpgSerenity A truly tranquil time at Pen Ponds in Richmond Park watching the mist ebb and flow and the swan glide across the pond. Stunning conditions, almost enough to make you put down the camera and just sit and watch!! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/snow-fall https://images.on-this.website/22980_596275555603c0ad7ce086.jpgSnow Fall The final full moon of the winter is called the Snow Moon. This is, well almost, 1 day before full :) Beautiful misty scenes and atmosphere as the glowing 99.4% moon sets over Bushy Park at sunrise on a February morning. The conditions aligned perfectly for just a few fleeting minutes. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/westminster-glow https://images.on-this.website/22980_163421160869a7087503a44.jpgWestminster Glow You can return to the same spot many times and get a different result. On this occasion the alignment of sunset, the calm water of a turning (slack) high tide and high moving clouds worked beautifully for a long exposure. Luckily the Palace of Westminster and Elizabeth tower lit up to top off the view! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/winter-stag https://images.on-this.website/22980_203811292650e468c70f73d.jpgWinter Stag A red stag stands proud in the snow within Bushy Park. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/the-classic https://images.on-this.website/22980_10491150775f6e00bed0667.jpgThe Classic The Duke of Portland Boathouse on Ullswater, a classic view. Calm and tranquil on a summers morning. Low water levels gave me plenty of opportunity to find interestng compositions with the rocks and reeds near the shore. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/building-bridges-in-venice https://images.on-this.website/22980_1595494640675eff651d9d1.jpgBuilding Bridges in Venice This amazing sculpture is hidden away in the Arsenale of Venice. One of several sculptures by Lorenzo Quinn, 6 pairs of clasped hands, it is spectacular arrangement and on a clear calm day with reflections and the right light a really special view! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/through-the-arch https://images.on-this.website/22980_851910297599487113d4af.jpgThrough the Arch Moonrise through the arch of the Milky Way, Xizi, Azerbaijan. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/moonrise https://images.on-this.website/22980_20898344758595b1d8acde.jpgMoon river As the moon rises, cloud catcher canyon lives up to it's name, low cloud and fog flow through the canyon down below us. The low moon glows like a sun, casting dawn like orange and reds across the landscape and a river of cloud.. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/strawberry-moon-over-london https://images.on-this.website/22980_8129215656676eb92bccef.jpgStrawberry Moon over London It’s always interesting to try new locations, this is a classic view from Hampstead Heath but the first time I had visited. The forecast clear skies sort of materialised, clear overhead except for the band of cloud sitting right across the horizon to block the moonrise!!! So the group of intrepid photographers waited patiently for the moon to finally appear. No close ups of the moon and shard as planned, but I did love this panoramic view, the blues and fading pinks, the last flash of light on the city buildings and a 98% moon. It’s not always about the big closeup and long lens! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/flame-towers https://images.on-this.website/22980_1595689015befc109d5d18.jpgFlame Towers As the sun sets behind the flame towers they live up to their name for a few brief minutes as they sky lights up in vivid colour. A breezy evening and moving clouds over a long exposure brings a superb fiery texture to the sky. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/caspian-twilight https://images.on-this.website/22980_3523038565988768ed720a.jpgCaspian Twilight These rigs are a long standing Baku icon, standing just south of the city. It's a location I have long wanted to shoot under good light. A clear, calm summer evening with a setting moon overhead made for perfect conditions. The locals were a little bemused what the crazy foreigner was doing taking pictures of the rigs :) https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/pink-volcano https://images.on-this.website/22980_1031639487581e08abdc5a2.jpgPink Volcano As the sun rises over the Caspian Sea, the Earth shadow and belt of Venus put on a fabulous display over the mud volcanos of Gobustan. A stunning display of light, colour and shapes. I love this location, every visit it re-invents itself every time I go back. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/autumn-maralgol https://images.on-this.website/22980_166125212659f43452c4e90.jpgAutumn Maralgol Summer fades away and snowfall already covers the peaks of the mountains over Lake Maralgol. The trees are in peak colour as they start to drop their leaves. This is a truly wild and rugged location, as we experienced later that night listening to the wild dogs and roaring bears! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/aa4dab53-8216-4eec-ab1a-0eb367e1ddab https://images.on-this.website/22980_1112734455c99d5c6d1e79.jpgCatching the moon The full moon sets over Besh Barmag mountain. Despite a spectacular display of colours out over the Caspian Sea as the rising sun illuminated the layer of clouds with delicate pinks and purples, that same cloud sniffed out any hope of colour on the opposite horizon where the moon was setting. However, I do enjoy this monochrome version, colour isn’t everything when you have the fabulous textures of the rocks . Taken as the moon just starts to slip behind the mountain. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/in-the-air https://images.on-this.website/22980_577446255b61ceb1dce44.jpgIn the air The still waters and reflected sky make these rocks and the mountain appear to float in the morning clouds. Snowdon is almost fully lit by the first light of day. I could easily of run around like a rabbit taking various angles, so impressive were the conditions. But I stayed with this spot and took variations on largely the same composition composition to enjoy a superb and relaxing sun rise to the day. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/stars-on-ice https://images.on-this.website/22980_13556272558595b1b85286.jpgStars on Ice The milky way stretches out across the sky over Qiriz village. The snow covered landscape starts to glow gently as the moon rises and bathes the peaks in soft orange light. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/golden-boy https://images.on-this.website/22980_11028316115ef238970440d.jpgGolden Boy A red deer calf soaking up some early morning sun in Bushy Park. A stunning clear, calm morning in the park actually had me worrying I wound't find an image, the mist only built as the sun came up and I really struggled with composition. Eventually I found this herd of deer and the newly born calves, keeping a same distance the nicely silhouetted against the low golden mist. A beautiful end to the morning! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/a-night-at-thundry-meadows https://images.on-this.website/22980_9788003586095a683aa41b.jpgA Night at Thundry Meadows A waning moon and cold clear dark skies, what else could you do with a forecast like this except head out into the dark. I really enjoy this little spot, only 45 minutes from the London sprawl you get beauiful dark skies and superb views over the river, you can actually make out the texture of the milky way by eye on a clear night like this. It was only about 1 degree and after an hour shooting I was chilled through and ready for home, but what a stunning hour to spend. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo38200522.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_1887547675cd049fe06ce9.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/tranquility https://images.on-this.website/22980_1898493419523c2b317dff8.jpgTranquility The sun sets on parliament, a long exposure smooths the water as the clouds fly overhead, giving a sense of tranquillity. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/budug-village https://images.on-this.website/22980_20708807285b6b272372d54.jpgBudug Village Budug is one of the most remote and difficult to visit villages in Azerbaijan, but the journey is well worth the effort, sitting surrounded by mountains and spectacular landscapes. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/fishermans-hut https://images.on-this.website/22980_3732647085a118b6f161df.jpgFishermans Hut https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/the-wanderer https://images.on-this.website/22980_7359397705a7eeb9541a9e.jpgThe Wanderer Exploring the moors over Todmorden on a cold winters morning, snow showers and clouds blowing across the tops with nothing but a few hardy sheep for company. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/moody-baku https://images.on-this.website/22980_235862090572d728dab088.jpgMoody Baku More from an early morning walk in Baku. Looking across the roofs of the old city to the flame towers. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo38201057.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_8312025695cd052dc8ca49.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo38201061.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_1444163335cd052ddd5168.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/angular https://images.on-this.website/22980_12317627516980b1cd689c0.jpgAngular An early morning walk in Barcelona took me to the Escola Massana, a design and architecture school. The amazing geometrical construction befits an art and design school perfectly. In the early morning the backlit rising sun made for tricky exposure but a fine art monochrome processing helps to make the most of the shapes and shadows. Always fun to get creative!! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/moon-beams-and-oil-rigs https://images.on-this.website/22980_101110483573779be15ffc.jpgMoon beams and oil rigs Down on the beach of the Caspian. I had gone out with the intention of seeing the milky way rise over the sea, but the heavy cloud put paid to that plan. These old jackup rigs made an interesting subject as the moon broke through the heavy clouds to illuminate the waves breaking on the shore. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/electric-light-show https://images.on-this.website/22980_722958021592301bab64e9.jpgElectric Light Show This remote mosque in Qobustan makes a fantastic subject beneath the night skies. Conditions were not ideal as high cloud drifted across the sky and picked up light pollution from the distant towns. However as the Milky Way finally emerged we were treated to a spectacular display of lightning as thunderstorms slowly drifted across the desert towards us. We made sure we left before they arrived! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/purple-snowdon https://images.on-this.website/22980_12597344755b61ceb40dfcd.jpgPurple Snowdon Pre-dawn light at Snowdon, I love the delicate shades of pink and purple that come before sunrise. Llynnau Mymbyr is perfectly still as the low clouds roll over the shoulder of Snowdon. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/night-time-in-the-meadows https://images.on-this.website/22980_18581443495ef5d801bea27.jpgNight Time in the Meadows Exploring the countryside for dark skies and interesting locations sometimes throws up little gems. Thundry water meadows are just such a place, a warm clear summer night and stunning reflections of the stars in the meandering River Wey. There is a lot to be seen if you go looking!! Less than an hour outside London, I'll be back here on a frosty morning for sunrise! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/autumn-path https://images.on-this.website/22980_16940205935bc2f4978017c.jpgAutumn path Wandering the forests in Autumn, low cloud immersed the woodland making for a fantastic atmosphere which really sets off the autumn colours. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/flower-moonset https://images.on-this.website/22980_7619042215eb43d34972a5.jpgFlower Moonset A truly stunning morning in Bushy Park watching the full "flower moon" set over the mist. Clear skies and a beautiful venus belt coloured the skies over the park as the moon set. A stunning morning to be out enjoying the tranquility. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/fading-storm https://images.on-this.website/22980_885331674574c6bc9aede4.jpgFading Storm The lightening flashes have faded and the sky starts to clear just before dawn. It's a epic profile of the mountains at the foot of the caucasus and the sky has a real sense of drama. Eerily silent as the storm drifts off into the distance. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/breaking-waves https://images.on-this.website/22980_86855167750e73e29b7d11.jpgBreaking waves The waves of the atlantic roll into the cliffs on the west coast of Portugal, Praia Monte Clerigo. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/calder-mist https://images.on-this.website/22980_11967636005c0d0a7890800.jpgCalder Mist The view from Heptonstall on a cold December night, mist hangs low filling the valley to Todmorden. I was hoping for clear skies and a few stars overhead but it wasn't to be. It's still an impressive view over the sea of mist. I returned the following morning hoping for the same view at sunrise but the low mist turned to thick fog filling the valley and obscuring any view for most of the day. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/after-the-pink-moon https://images.on-this.website/22980_3718594746803fa41afce4.jpgAfter the Pink Moon After watching the full moon set behind the West pier the conditions were too good to waste and perfect for long exposures. Calm winds, low tide and the pre dawn pinks and blues before the sun broached the opposite horizon. 4 minutes of tranquility taking in the scene. What a way to start the weekend!!! Although after shooting the moonrise the evening before in London, and getting up at 3am to drive to Brighton for the moonset, I admit to being a little jaded but enormously satisfied seeing both ends of the full moon on this particular night!!! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo31767826.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_177379441595022bd1c2eb.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/peter-paul-fortress-st-petersburg https://images.on-this.website/22980_102503711750f176dc5f58b.jpgPeter & Paul Fortress, St Petersburg The Peter & Paul fortress, St Petersburg, Russia, viewed across the river Neva at night through the open Dortsovy bridge (Дворцовый Мост). The bridges are opened each night to allow large vessels to transin up and down the river. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/river-of-the-heavens https://images.on-this.website/22980_1896889212599dacac408ba.jpgRiver of the heavens From left to right, the villages of Qiriz, Jek and Kalaykhudat in the mountains of Azerbaijan beneath the full arch of the Milky Way. A spectacular nights photography at 2000m. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/rannoch-moor-reflections https://images.on-this.website/22980_1595003707547847e6d54db.jpgRannoch Moor Reflections A perfectly still morning and the stones and skies of Rannoch moor are perfect reflections in the still waters. The hint of colour in the clouds contrasts with the vibrant orange of the autumn grass. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/gabala-pink https://images.on-this.website/22980_19069695835af0a3d6eea74.jpgGabala Pink First light hits the snow capped mountains of Gabala turning the peaks a delicate pink. Mist hangs low over the valley and plains of Ismayili. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/tra-le-nuvole https://images.on-this.website/22980_19610600455dbe7d0f1fb2d.jpgTra Le Nuvole The mountains emerging from the morning clouds. A spectacular view as low cloud rolled through the valleys and around the ridges. Sunrise brought no real light to paint the peaks or bring strong colours, but I think this is ultimately better, the delicate pastels across the sky suit the image well. A spectacular colourful sky would detract from the gentle cloudscape below. Taken from Lessinia looking north into the foothills of the Alps. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/golden-cross https://images.on-this.website/22980_1526305066626ff0a27f67e.jpgGolden Cross This has to be one of the most challenging images I have taken, the idea of photographing the illuminated church with its lit cross beneath the stars sounds simple, but is far from it!!! Balancing the illuminated cross and dark skies is tricky and needed several exposures to balance. All while thinking on your feet at 1 degree celcius on a frosty spring night!! My bag was well and truly frozen when I started to pack away at 0330. Combining and processing the images then involved much more photoshop than I usually want to experience!!! But I think the final effort is well worth it, and is becoming a favourite the more I look at it. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo31767825.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_398142354595022bb7a771.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/twin-peaks https://images.on-this.website/22980_59088689858595b13a17b5.jpgTwin peaks Two high mountain peaks in the Quba region of Azerbaijan, twilight, before dawn and the first rays of light bend around the horizon and catch the snow covered peaks. It is -20, cold crisp and bitingly clear, a fabulous moment to stand and take in the view from Qiriz village. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo52230205.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_13630317366ff0a4479393.jpgGolden Cross https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/flame-towers-moonset https://images.on-this.website/22980_614574595b882c679624f.jpgFlame towers moonset This shot only occurs twice a year, the position of the moon, the timing of the sun rise and the need for good weather make it a little tricky and all the elements have to align. A band of cloud was rolling in but luckily the moon shone through the gap as the sun came up. I'd love some golden sunrise light on the foreground, but clouds on the opposite horizon scuppered this. Still, means an excuse to go back and shoot again in March next year! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/pink-moon-over-hampton-court https://images.on-this.website/22980_1719225806642d6356492f4.jpgPink Moon over Hampton Court This image is difficult to get, it relies on the alignment and timing of the setting moon, which only occurs a couple of times per year, the right weather conditions and access to the park. On this occasion the alignment and weather played ball, I just needed a little luck with an early opening of the gates. So after an 04.55 alarm call I was rewarded with open gates and clear skies! There was a little tripdation that the mist would obscure the palace as the moon dropped but the view of the moonset over the palace as the rising sun just starts to illuminate the palace was spectacular. Ideally I'd like the moon a little more central :) but that gives me an excuse to go back and try again! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo33003674.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_87256679159c95584356d1.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/lords-piece-rising https://images.on-this.website/22980_56915454860b66a3b64e1a.jpgLords Piece Rising Exploring new locations for the Milky Way in the South of England is always hit and miss. On this occasion it was definitely a hit! My first stop on my night time exploration hadn’t worked out, this my second, played out nicely as I arrived, driving into thick mist, it was tricky to find my way around in the dense mist. No chance for reflections in the pond but I love the mist around the trees. Lords Piece is a delightful little nature reserve in West Sussex, which I really must visit in daylight!! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/frosted-diana https://images.on-this.website/22980_1100501128602559a8ddd63.jpgFrosted Diana I almost didn't take this image, when my alarm went off the sky outside was far from the clear clean vision I expected. It was clearly very cold! but I had an image in mond and the conditions weren't going to give me that. Thankfully I went out being open to whatever the conditions gave me, but it was truly biting cold. As the sun rose the clouds cleared a little and the light got under the moving clouds giving a spectacular display of colour for just a few minutes, complimenting nicely the part frozen pond at the Diana fountain. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/cygnus-rising https://images.on-this.website/22980_223988878637bdcb258536.jpgCygnus And The Stones A cold, clear, still November night only just above freezing, super conditions for a return to Stonehenge. It had been quite a few months since my last visit to this iconic spot and I still feel I have unfinished business to get the best from the location! The classic core of the milky way has now dropped below the horizon, putting the Cygnus region of the galaxy centre stage. It is a beautiful sction of sky and the use of an astro modified camera captures the vast clouds of hydrogen gas which glow red to the modified camera. Bottom right the bright star Vega shines, a mere 25 light years away!! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo31767850.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_1810749292595022d4b60d1.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/pastel-caspian https://images.on-this.website/22980_2618801045c94984868d9b.jpgPastel Caspian Pre-dawn over the Caspian Sea, stunning pastel pinks and purples across the sky. This lone rock out in the sea provides a handy focal point to break the scene and create a simple minimalist image.. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/big-brother-is-watching https://images.on-this.website/22980_8820905025a51d811b37ea.jpgBig Brother is Watching Returning from Mont Saint Michel, sunrise was a non event due to the inclement weather, but looking back from the near countryside I did enjoy this view of the island towering over the surrounding fields. Partially shadowed by the incoming weather it feels quite ominous and makes me wonder how people would have felt to live in its shadow hundreds of years ago. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/cathing-some-sun https://images.on-this.website/22980_8749989575e9f5a1bc7cc2.jpgCathing Some Sun Although this sunrise in Bushy Park didn't amount to much for colour, it was a beautiful tranquil time with little wind on the Leg of Mutton pond. A little golden light broke through for just a few minutes and lit up the swans wings as he preened and then stretched, soaking up some of the golden morning warmth. When a swan stands tall and stretches, if you are close, you really get a sense of the power of those wingsand size of the birds, grace and power combined. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/early-risers https://images.on-this.website/22980_5808116025bdedf85e48ec.jpgEarly Risers Before sunrise, an impressive number of people walking down on the boulevard, taking their morning walks and exercise whilst watching a superb sunrise over the Caspian. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo31767849.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_290459809595022d3cd291.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/renault-speed https://images.on-this.website/22980_4697888835af1e4fc659da.jpgRenault Speed https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo31767846.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_135973360595022d03eb49.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/first-poppies https://images.on-this.website/22980_9754706025af0a362252a9.jpgFirst Poppies First poppies of spring opening in the fields of Ismaili. The snow capped mountains of Gabala standing high in the background. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/planetary-alignment https://images.on-this.website/22980_28623953461ad0df762dbb.jpgPlanetary Alignment A cold windy winters evening and just after sunset the planets Venus, Saturn and Jupiter aligned nicely over Stonehenge. It's amazing to see our solar system stretched out over our skies. Venus is our closest neighbour and sits just above the horizon, visible only for an hour or so after sunset. Jupiter sits top left, the biggest object in our solar system with twice the mass of all the other planets combined. Saturn sits faintly between them unfortunately its amazing rings not visible at this scale :). A nice combination over the stones. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/mindfulness https://images.on-this.website/22980_9423770795ed39e399b063.jpgMindfulness You would never believe you are in Surrey, only 30 miles outside London. Serene still waters, clear dark skies, and as the quarter moon set the milky way revealed itself across the pond. A privilege to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the moment watching the stars reflect in the water. Only an hour after this, driving home, the twilight of the morning started to build on the eastern horizon. You feel quite privileged to have experienced this https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/100000-light-years https://images.on-this.website/22980_209353220958595c515f3d1.jpg100,000 light years Qiriz village lit by the nights sky with the Milky Way stretching out overhead over 100,000 light years. This tiny village offset against the expanse of the galaxy. A bitingly cold December night, surrounded by snow and ice, a photographers playground! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/contemplation https://images.on-this.website/22980_172452931050e73e30848fb.jpgContemplation Taking in the sunset across the Atlantic Ocean, Praia Monte Clerigo, Portugal. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/moray-gold https://images.on-this.website/22980_34391044355d70369a6537.jpgMoray Gold Cove bay on the Moray coast at sunset. Balancing on the rocks the most beautiful golden light played across the tops of the rock formation. After a day of rain the sky was full of clouds and atmosphere which gave a spectacular show as the sun went down. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo36940532.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_20842342005befc1096d3cb.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/road-to-jek-village https://images.on-this.website/22980_11818116675d62bf3f4899d.jpgRoad to Jek Village A long cross country drive from Buduq to Jek through a spectacular August landscape. As we approached our destination the view opened up to reveal Jek beneath the high peaks. We had been pacing the horseman for over an hour as he rode and we drove and stopped to take in the views. Everything came together as he walked the final stretch, the clouds built and the light softened. A spectacular view and enjoyable journey. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/tangerine-sunrise https://images.on-this.website/22980_1413291283574b39e792c3b.jpgTangerine Sunrise Standing in a barley field watching a stunning sunrise light up the sky and heavy clouds from the nights thunderstorm. I loved the contrast as the golden light lit up the barley and the sky turned through delicate shades of orange. These fields roll on for miles, what a place to live for the farmer, waking up to this every day!! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/by-the-light-of-the https://images.on-this.website/22980_1696347450605f335a5dd55.jpgBy The Light of The Moon This was one of those mornings where you unexpectedly come across a scene that transfixes you. Crystal clear skies as the 91% moon dropped behind the Diana statue in Bushy Park. I hadn't gone with the intention of shooting the moon but the conditions were too good to miss!! A fantastic frantic half hour trying to balance the bright moon and faint but building daylight and repeatedly compose as the moon inexorably dropped through the sky to the horizon. A super way to start the day!! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo31767833.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_276645071595022c2eeb70.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo32286829.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_836845295598467ec2a899.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/ripples https://images.on-this.website/22980_17868303578e7dc3e03ac.jpgRipples It's very therapeutic, sitting watching a mud volcano bubble gently away, particularly with the superb display of colour that took place as a backdrop across the sky as the sun went down. Definitely a moment to remember. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/bounce https://images.on-this.website/22980_318400211554a8ad2e06bf.jpgBounce Bounce, a red squirrel about to make a splash. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo34227183.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_6605920955aa4e3ef843b4.jpgBlue Moon I can't decide if I prefer the colour or B&W version of this image. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/lossiemouth-sands https://images.on-this.website/22980_118215234455ddd9ea45f58.jpgLossiemouth Sands Not much of a sunrise on this particular morning, however the sands of Lossiemouth beach almost glowed under the diffuse light. Beautiful delicate patterns left by the receding tide scatter the beach. In the distance a lone photographer seeks inspiration in the breaking waves. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/the-shard-and-the-moon https://images.on-this.website/22980_31832297762a8cd9cec5dc.jpgThe Shard and the Moon I enjoy long exposure images but don't do a lot of them, they are risky, you can put a lot of effort into a shot at the perfect time and you have to be really confident in your settings to not end up with an over / under exposed blurry image!! This was a risk, 4 minutes exposure at sunset, the soft twilight light eradicates the harsh shadows, the blue tones marry nicely with the hint of pink from the belt of venus rising up opposite the setting sun. I love the angles and interraction of the shapes in this scene and the cloudless sky gives simplicity to the image. It's a well shot view I think from this perspective, but each time is different and I'm quite pleased with my version. The three quarter moon is the cherry on top! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/crepuscolarismo https://images.on-this.website/22980_2193446825dbe85cc85e27.jpgCrepuscolo Twilight starts to break in the hills of Lessinia. The core of the milky way is below the horizon but the galaxy is still visible stretching across the sky. A spectacular view to the North and the emerging Alps look small beneath the expanse of sky. Lessinia is a beautiful area that I need to go back and explore more in the summer and Autumn, many opportunities here for super photography. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/structured https://images.on-this.website/22980_200829748467ce1313204c4.jpgStructured Sometimes you come across a scene that you just know will look good. A trip to Canary Wharf on a calm clear spring day produced super reflections and a nice contrasty sky. The final outcome is always a bit of a journey through processing to see where it leads but in this case the destination is something special. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/the-palace-embankment https://images.on-this.website/22980_771922255507b2f5cd0284.jpgThe Palace Embankment The Palace Embankment or Palace Quay (Russian: Дворцовая набережная, Dvortsovaya Naberezhnaya) is a street along the Neva River in Central Saint Petersburg which contains the complex of the Hermitage Museum buildings (including the Winter Palace), the Hermitage Theatre, the Marble Palace, the Vladimir Palace, the New Michael Palace and the Summer Garden. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/shard-moods https://images.on-this.website/22980_5942055568e153db0a412.jpgShard Moods An overcast day but lots of texture in the sky makes for lovely atmospheric conditions. This particular angle at London Bridge makes for a different take on the Shard and works nicely in monochrome. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/atomic-dawn https://images.on-this.website/22980_477487787600d9e926eb71.jpgAtomic Dawn A truly nuclear sunrise over Bushy Park, with a stunning display of colour. Watching it build from a deep fiery red on the horizon to a sky filled with pinks and blues over 20 minutes was quite the experience. It was hard to believe that probably only 15 minutes after this explosion of colour the sky was grey and leaden with not a hint of what had just been. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/breaking-dawn https://images.on-this.website/22980_4591802925144ddf1e41af.jpgBreaking Dawn Dawn breaks over Staic Pollaidh and the sand dunes of Achnahaird beach light up with colour. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo24159562.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_727958871554a8ad84e586.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/north-to-south-at-dragon https://images.on-this.website/22980_19406745995d904d384103b.jpgNorth to South at Dragon Rock A panoramic view of the night sky spanning from Polaris to the North, through the celestial equator over 180 degrees to the South. This was a bit of a personal project, a challenge I set myself so create an image covering the hemisphere showing the movement of the stars North so South. Dragon rock is out in the desert of Qobustan, a spectacular rock formation and foreground to the spectacle of the night sky. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/after-the-storm https://images.on-this.website/22980_14499380656ad05b472e39.jpgBreak in the Storm A break in storm Jonas and the clouds lifted to form a most atmospheric backdrop to the snow topped peaks of Buachaille Etive Mor and the Lagangarbh Hut. The previous day the Coupal River in the foreground had been over 5 feet in depth, brushing the underside of the access footbridge as the storm came through in full flow bringing torrential rainfall. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/january-blues https://images.on-this.website/22980_40464364156abec4fe4632.jpgJanuary Blues As storm Jonas takes a breather over Scotland, a calm and crisp morning takes shape on Rannoch Moor. No golden colours or striking sunrise, just the cold blues of an early winter morning reflected in the still waters with the snow topped Black mount in the background. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo52229943.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_10967725266ff06f1cfc0a.jpgEruption https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo52229942.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_8328840866ff06f0ed981.jpgThe Watcher https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo52229939.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_166990673166ff06ee73e7e.jpgGuardian of The Galaxy https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo52230147.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_175784851366ff096bb5642.jpgYellow Brick Road https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo52229948.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_160278837166ff06f9df722.jpgEarly Riser https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo31767835.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_1635773398595022c598cec.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/khinalug-blues https://images.on-this.website/22980_384367645c70008ce946b.jpgKhinalug Blues The first light hits the peak of mount Khinalug, not even daylight, this is the pink pre-dawn light that creeps over the horizon well in advance of sunrise, set against the deep blue sky as night heads over the far horizon. One of my favourite views in Azerbaijan. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo31767844.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_1053162299595022cf31db7.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/wild-flowers https://images.on-this.website/22980_10380954475a0fd06c535b0.jpgWild flowers https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/thames-mist https://images.on-this.website/22980_454178522655911ca7a6a8.jpgAutumn on The Thames A superb autumn morning on the river Thames at Richmond. As the sun began to rise the mist started to pour off the meadows, across the river and rolling around the boats. The light caught the tops of the trees bringing the autumn colours to life. A beautiful and peaceful way to start the weekend. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/clouds-of-candyfloss https://images.on-this.website/22980_6629120854f31fa98b99f.jpgClouds of Candyfloss The final image in the sequence of sunrise at Stoodley pike. The sun is up above the horizon creating pink clouds of candyfloss over the pike and starting to pour light into the valley beyond. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo31773481.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_15507476765950e1e057c17.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/wave-action https://images.on-this.website/22980_17552736052aed7be75568.jpgWave action Waves break across Brighton beach on a cold December morning https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/winter-nights https://images.on-this.website/22980_170161997063cafb9a1d529.jpgWinter Stars Parade A cold January night at Stonehenge to shoot Orion over the stones. For astro photography I use a modified camera which picks up the red light from the nebulas which abound in this area of space. In the winter nights we look out away from the centre of our galaxy and the stars of Orion sit in the outer reaches of the Orion Cygnus spiral arm and it is a beautiful area of sky. It's very tempting to focus just on Orion but I wanted to show the whole area of the sky so went for a panoramic view. Here we have a superb parade from Sirius on the left, the rosette nebula, orion surrounded by Barnard's Loop, and moving right to Aldebaran, Mars, the Pleiades cluster and the California Nebula. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/st-huberts-dipper https://images.on-this.website/22980_271588565677833e9ea09f.jpgSt Huberts Dipper The big dipper positioned nicely over St Huberts church on a cold December night. It was -3C as I was packing up, biting cold but made for super clear skies making the stars of this constellation stand out. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/detail-in-snow https://images.on-this.website/22980_39095730458a1f15921ae4.jpgDetail in Snow https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo33003691.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_174613391559c95a6ad5c9c.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/in-the-spotlight https://images.on-this.website/22980_4224918145611a170432a2.jpgIn the spotlight Bushy Park on a Sunday morning during the rut, this bellowing stag stands silhouetted by a shaft of light from the early sun. That and the dozens of lenses of the surrounding photographers, luckily all managed to avoid my frame!! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo25350772.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_110050608655ddddc1d0c7b.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/stripes https://images.on-this.website/22980_13512917579dc090bd2b5.jpgCandy Cane Galaxy The red and white stripes of the candy cane mountains leading into the distant milky way. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/salam-kimi https://images.on-this.website/22980_6496592025af1e50639c12.jpgSalam Kimi! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/orion-rising-over-st-huberts https://images.on-this.website/22980_652352719677831b4165df.jpgOrion Rising Over St Huberts One of my favourite areas of the winter skies, Orion, with the great nebula, the horsehead nebula and Barnard's Loop. The loop is a spectacular emission nebula spanning up to 300 light years, and they all sit within the Orion spur, one single small arm of our milky way galaxy. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo24159565.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_1023997350554a8adbf21de.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/caspian-dusk https://images.on-this.website/22980_17779914425b369114bc56b.jpgCaspian Dusk A clear summers night, sunset turns the sky a delicate pink over Besh Barmag. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo32300309.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_1721176795985f8641755b.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/freezing-fog https://images.on-this.website/22980_2748057135c1bb88b710a5.jpgWinter Wonderland We climbed the hills of Qusar hoping to get above the clouds but without success, instead we were rewarded with these magical frozen trees immersed in an atmospheric fog. A different type of winter image. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/light-show https://images.on-this.website/22980_11287245225af1e50fcec11.jpgLight Show https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/earth-sky https://images.on-this.website/22980_5330754275b0ab2dc26b2a.jpgEarth Sky You would not believe this was taken only just over an hour from Baku, a warm spring night, clear skies watching the stars drift overhead. This is a fabulous location of lone trees which silhouette nicely against the night sky. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/old-friends https://images.on-this.website/22980_20452031205bdedf816a490.jpgOld Friends The boulevard before sunrise, a busy place for exercises, social meetings and catching up. Watching the people come and go before the business of the day starts. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/newquay-surfing https://images.on-this.website/22980_36481431850e73a02327e1.jpgNewquay Surfing Taking the surf at Newquay https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/prehistoric https://images.on-this.website/22980_93625961060f1b51b0b267.jpgPrehistoric Stonehenge is maybe 5,000 years old, the light from the stars of the milky way has taken over 25,000 years to get here to this image at the time I took it, so this is a shot back into pre-historic times!!! This location has been on my bucketlist for a while and when we finally got clear skies in our cloudy and grey summer I took the chance. It's a superb, iconic location and great fun to see in the dark under the skies. I'll go back here and shoot again, I think I can do this better but this first trip to an iconic location defintitely makes my portfolio for the memories! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/focus https://images.on-this.website/22980_1392471147507b2ec52d78b.jpgFocus Gemma Tattersall, totally focussed on the run to the next jump https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/a-sense-of-scale https://images.on-this.website/22980_1430327994574b39e99b8c2.jpgA sense of scale The sun was up and I stood in the centre of miles upon miles of barley fields under a vast blue sky, with the mountains rolling up in the distance I suddenly felt very small!! I hope this picture conveys a sense of the scale that is the landscape in Azerbaijan. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/arethusa-in-hiding https://images.on-this.website/22980_12515505125eb06195ecfec.jpgArethusa in Hiding The "Diana fountain", Bushy Park during a spectacularly misty sunrise. Playing with exposures as the sun starts to rise above the mist to create this beautiful soft silhouette through the golden soup. The statue atop the Diana fountain Arethusa is officially accepted to be Arethusa, a nymph from ancient Greece. [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arethusa_(mythology)]Wikipedia[/url] https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/salam-lewis https://images.on-this.website/22980_2127407005af1e512d09de.jpgSalam Lewis! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/calm-before-the-storm https://images.on-this.website/22980_4822416735af1e503754ed.jpgCalm Before The Storm https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/rauf https://images.on-this.website/22980_2127723631580e3e7c26afc.jpgRauf Rauf was our host in Khinalug, a very proud and hospitable man. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/slow-corner https://images.on-this.website/22980_20502519915af1e50ccfdd9.jpgSlow Corner https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/down-but-not-out https://images.on-this.website/22980_2004687663541448260237b.jpgDown but not out A busker plays on the Hungerford bridge in London. Down but definitely not out. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/abandoned-in-gobustan https://images.on-this.website/22980_13964105035a0fd070e17e5.jpgAbandoned in Gobustan Far out in the fields and hills of Gobustan, the remains of an old village, graveyard and Mosque. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/the-road-to-sudur https://images.on-this.website/22980_7750346825c1bb88c31048.jpgThe Road to Sudur The road through the mountains winding across the ridges to the remote village of Sudur. The sky turns a delicate pink as the sun rises out over the caspian. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo33003679.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_173684801959c9573e1bfa1.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo31934335.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_1939430089595fc17f99f1e0.12890526.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/waxing-crescent-pastels https://images.on-this.website/22980_1416521706665f6a8062cc.jpgWaxing Crescent Pastels Clear skies, calm conditions and a waxing crescent moon descending around sunset, what a perfect combination. I spent an hour watching the moon descend and the colours change through sunset and into the blues of twilight. I love the transition here from sunset orange to the darkening blues of dusk. A simple composition, the moon was too high for telephoto shots but the crescent over the Diana fountain against the pastel colours is my favourite of the evening. I do think the cormorant lives on the statue! Or at least is determined to pose whenever a photographer turns up!! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/moonlight-over-cap-de-formentor https://images.on-this.website/22980_66084653468aa17a832ce8.jpgMoonlight Over Cap de Formentor A family holiday in Majorca and an early morning trip for sunrise to Cap de Formentor. The conditions kept changing, clouds rolling in and out, changing in minutes from solid cloud to clear and back again. As I had woken ridiculously early when I arrived the stars were still visible and I was greeted by Orion and Betelgeuse rising over the hillside. The crescent moon was impossible to capture within the dynamic range of the scene from the dark landscape to the stars and moon. However for a few moments the clouds lit up. This moment taken nearly 90 minutes before sunrise captures the crescent moon with venus rising over the lighthouse in the distance, with Orion and Betelgeuse rising over the hillside and watch tower. Well worth waking up at 0430 for!! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo32216333.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_130135599597b7d4a699e1.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/dubai-gold https://images.on-this.website/22980_13095351085a3aa67bac548.jpgDubai Gold The main sight of Dubai it seems, construction sites and cranes, emerging from the golden haze early in the morning as the sun rises. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/venice-sleeps https://images.on-this.website/22980_625175695675d7cabc7798.jpgVenice Sleeps https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo32286828.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_1550630487598467eb3880e.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo38200521.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_20551140675cd049fd769e3.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/long-way-home https://images.on-this.website/22980_11895217965d6a828a740a4.jpgLong way Home A lone horseman wandering through the hills of Quba as a late summer storm gathers over the imposing peaks above. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo38200525.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_11326722025cd049ff09fc0.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/morning-glow https://images.on-this.website/22980_8007316755c572014a9e75.jpgMorning Glow More from the little tree in the hills, the sun's up and the first light of day starts to warm the ground, and some chilly photographers! A panoramic view across the ridge line and this spectacular landscape. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/blue-tit https://images.on-this.website/22980_197520815553110e48ebbf6.jpgBlue tit A blue tit perches on a flimsy branch and looks around for food and approaching predators. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo32087206.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_1933230805596d02f68b0e8.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo27932025.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_145826664576587277368f.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/leap-of-faith https://images.on-this.website/22980_563928624507b2ecfed4ba.jpgLeap of Faith https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo35400089.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_6982098735b3691173c0c2.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/changing-light https://images.on-this.website/22980_17916440215144ddf4bd538.jpgChanging Light Changing light as the dark of twighlight gives way to the bright orange glow of dawn. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/rapidity https://images.on-this.website/22980_938095227576c3e1ca1fc7.jpgRapidity https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/wandering-around https://images.on-this.website/22980_17963101025b369113704a5.jpgWandering Around Exploring the hills and valleys behind Besh Barmag, a lonely tree out on the trail at sunset. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/luna https://images.on-this.website/22980_141336106659c68b70aef38.jpgLuna The first time I have taken a dedicated shot of the moon, we see it almost every day but rarely look closely. The craters and texture are stunning, and I enjoy this phase, the gibbous moon partially shadowed by the earth. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/jonathan-paget https://images.on-this.website/22980_5356673755188be6433f9c.jpgJonathan Paget Badminton 2013 and Jonathan "Jock" Paget clears a fence at the the Swindon Designer Outlet Sunken Lane complex. Already focussed on the next gallop . https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/the-giants-chair https://images.on-this.website/22980_1660118189578d2edba2701.jpgThe Giants Chair The first golden light of sunrise strikes the peak of Cadair Idris and the clouds turn a delightful delicate pink in response. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/in-the-centre https://images.on-this.website/22980_14797518075985ef647c89e.jpgIn the centre Khinalug village sits beneath the galactic centre of the Milky Way. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo31767827.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_1105498595022be29426.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/through-the-visor https://images.on-this.website/22980_2071257425af1e50bec188.jpgThrough the Visor https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo36940531.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_11164515795befc1090209a.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/nepali-portrait https://images.on-this.website/22980_77245000850f1babf4a5c9.jpgNepali Portrait There are a thousand stories in the lines of this womans face, Kunde, Nepal. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/cool-dude https://images.on-this.website/22980_113338400253b078068a37a.jpgCool dude https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/guards-guards https://images.on-this.website/22980_2155730825117a8167b759.jpgGuards Guards Guard at the entrance to St James's Palace wearing the traditional Bearskin hat https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/baku-mirror https://images.on-this.website/22980_7857296585a54e1f7632b6.jpgBaku Mirror A hot summers day in Baku and the Caspian Sea is still as a mirror. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/ferrari-motion https://images.on-this.website/22980_141578027157644a58d86cd.jpgFerrari motion Baku F1, 2016, playing with long exposures as the drivers exit the old city onto the home straight. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo38200520.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_8068078545cd049fcc984b.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo38201063.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_1622466165cd052de8cd8b.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo38201060.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_6704054395cd052dd4222b.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/jacobs-ladder https://images.on-this.website/22980_9568423025d191550de478.jpgJacobs Ladder Looking south towards the Iranian border the village of Kelvaz sits beneath the core of the Milky Way. The orange glow of light pollution comes from the city of Ardabil to the south in Iran. The lights from the village light up the surrounding hills nicely otherwise the silhouette of the landscape would be lacking in impact. The landscape in the south of Azerbaijan is spectacular and well worth a visit. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/golden-harvest https://images.on-this.website/22980_1248712443631cbaa38a54a.jpgGolden Harvest I set off with some tredpidation in the middle of the night for this image. It's quite a trek down to the beach, across the stones and boulders in the dark, standing beneath the cliffs at Beachy Head. However the perfect timing of the low tide and the alignment of the setting moon meant this had to be tried, even if the forecast was a little uncertain. In the end it was a spectacular display as the moon dropped down through clear skies, unfortunately hitting the bank of clouds at the critical moment!! Well worth the journey and a unique experience to remember, you come away from a trip like this feeling absolutely like you have achieved something and seen something unique! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/the-local https://images.on-this.website/22980_42177989050e457515f1ee.jpgThe Local Taking a drink down at the local watering hole, Etosha, Namibia. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/golden-fleece https://images.on-this.website/22980_5127526665af0a35fcdcb7.jpgGolden Fleece Warm golden light spreads over the barley fields of Ismayili on a spring morning, lighting up the brilliant red poppies. Spring has arrived! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo22227963.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_91273015353fe5508b7f7b.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo38200516.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_11208520405cd049fb74fff.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo36553943.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_8397077535bbb7d25d0b07.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/qiriz-mist https://images.on-this.website/22980_18475862605a90f39548c27.jpgQiriz Mist Waiting for sunrise in Qiriz, behind me the sun is rising and creating a colourful sky over the village. I waited in vain hoping some of the light would carry through and colour the far mountains. A morning best described as fine art monochrome! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/gobustan-sheep https://images.on-this.website/22980_3919855405a0fd06f8f963.jpgGobustan Sheep https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo38201064.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_6994618455cd052df4493a.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo38200527.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_4817493235cd049ffa1ddc.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/estuary-at-barmouth https://images.on-this.website/22980_126499837578d2ef35ce13.jpgEstuary at Barmouth Looking back up the estuary at Barmouth Beach, blue skies and fluffy white clouds, a traditional British summers day!!! The back slopes of Cadair Idris loon on the far right https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/3-wheels https://images.on-this.website/22980_1981038209595fc0afd9d288.50625867.jpg3 Wheels Valteri Bottas lifts a wheel cresting the hill around the old city. Qualifying, Baku 2017. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/poppy-fields https://images.on-this.website/22980_2001956165a0fd06e35c46.jpgPoppy fields https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/dried https://images.on-this.website/22980_669115270581f6aba60b05.jpgDried I love the texture and detail in the old mud flows, inviting you to follow the path back to the top of the volcano. Twilight is ending and the delicate pink and blue's give way to the orange of sunrise and the start of the day. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/hills-of-qusar https://images.on-this.website/22980_89536012258a1f15f3c80c.jpgHills of Qusar https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/beneath-the-clouds https://images.on-this.website/22980_116874912258a1f15b53438.jpgBeneath the clouds https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/caspian-blue-hour https://images.on-this.website/22980_139112162757f87540bf3be.jpgCaspian blue hour Sunset fades, the sky changes from the final minutes of day to night and stars begin to shine over the Caspian Sea. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/knockan-crag https://images.on-this.website/22980_19221134095144e1e01727e.jpgKnockan Crag The monument at Knockan Crag stands high on the hill, Stac Pollaidh silhouetted in the background. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/ophiuchi-rising https://images.on-this.website/22980_8628038686469db21d2417.jpgOphiuchi Rising A calm clear night down on Cuckmere Haven beach watching the Milky Way rise. I love this little area of sky, the Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex is so colourful when shot with an asto modifided camera. About 460 light years away it's relatively close in astronomical terms!! You don't get long in the Uk to shoot this part of the sky as it is so low to the horizon and in the latter half of the year it's already too low to shoot. Nice to see it and get to spend some time on it before the summer. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/blue-moon https://images.on-this.website/22980_97669424458595c5577998.jpgBlue Moon The sun is up and slowly raining soft orange light across the landscape, the temperature is rising from a cool -20C, and the moon creeps slowly downwards across a crystal clear blue sky. A beautiful few minutes as the dark blue of night fades away to the bright light of day. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/sangachal-lights https://images.on-this.website/22980_1474518322572e311dbb81e.jpgSangachal Lights The sun has set and the road to Sangachal lights up. The heavy clouds from earlier cleared to reveal a delicate palette of a fading sunset. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo39730252.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_17401972365d6ffd4ab281c.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo38200519.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_17168367355cd049fc252a0.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/halfords-tour-making-a-break https://images.on-this.website/22980_99295252550e739764a080.jpgHalfords Tour - Making a Break A rider breaks off the front of the bunch at speed, Halfords Tour series, Woking town centre 2010. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/where-six-sleepers-lie https://images.on-this.website/22980_785199929578d2ef1f0223.jpgWhere six sleepers lie Tal y Lyn lake, dawn breaks over a perfect mirror surface. A beautifully subtle morning to be out and enjoying the silence. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/red-bull-gives-you-sparks https://images.on-this.website/22980_99883390257644a5f173e3.jpgRed bull gives you sparks! Trying to take pictures through multiple layers of fencing is not easy. I resorted to long shutter speeds and to try and overcome. It worked! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/appetite https://images.on-this.website/22980_142710336355f55bac2e91a.jpgAppetite A comment on todays society? https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/winter-caucusus https://images.on-this.website/22980_17618997845a90f39468030.jpgWinter Caucusus Hoping for some colour on the mountains which sadly never came. A Still a calm and peaceful morning watching the mountain peaks roll in and out of the clouds. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/glancing-light https://images.on-this.website/22980_14256012725467a8c3544fb.jpgGlancing Light Glen etiv. A low viewpoint looking up the river as the water sweeps around the bend. The suns final rays of glancing light make the distant hill glow. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo39730251.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_1311702235d6ffd4a60b9e.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo38200514.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_21373750195cd049fa2cbc5.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo38200513.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_10243320285cd049f96df93.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo31767848.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_1225309177595022d2d756a.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo31767843.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_602703385595022ce1f687.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/garda-gold https://images.on-this.website/22980_86423114459e6417d767bd.jpgGarda Gold Lake Garda, late afternoon under warm autumn skies and the para-gliders drift over the lake from Monte Baldo. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/centre-of-attention https://images.on-this.website/22980_1635351321576c3e1b513a7.jpgCentre of Attention How much support does it take to get an F1 driver onto the track. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/shades-of-gobustan https://images.on-this.website/22980_3711067865a0fd06979ec8.jpgShades of Gobustan Exploring the expanse of Gobustan, layers of hills receeding into the distance. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/mclaren-orange https://images.on-this.website/22980_5309786095af1e511cd99e.jpgMclaren Orange https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/fading-light https://images.on-this.website/22980_8533295185b369154a3429.jpgFading light Exploring the Xizi hills at dusk, this family of horses caught my eye on the far hillside, on the edge of day and night as the last splash of golden sunlight fades to shadows. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/xizi-nightscape https://images.on-this.website/22980_13774084775b42515b3060e.jpgXizi Nightscape https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/man-at-work https://images.on-this.website/22980_165961836858595c535482b.jpgMan at Work A photographer takes in the spectacle. Late night under the Milky Way in Qiriz village in the mountains of Azerbaijan. One of the finest experiences of landscape photography I have had in this winter wonderland! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo52230243.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_198328192866ff0ac387e16.jpgOld Meets New in London City https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo25350702.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_108464593755ddda63c871d.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/when-the-stars-align https://images.on-this.website/22980_3609128355b2508c22c738.jpgWhen the Stars Align Mars, Jupiter and the Milky Way all aligned over the mud volcanoes of Gobustan. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo52229945.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_117235495866ff06f42e909.jpgBellissimo https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/dubai-moon https://images.on-this.website/22980_14359575955a3aa679eb66d.jpgDubai Moon A wide angle panorama, the full moon sets over the gulf as dawn breaks over the city. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/stag-at-dawn https://images.on-this.website/22980_116386291750e468ba96bf6.jpgStag at Dawn A lonely stag in Richmond Park at Dawn. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/goygol-gold https://images.on-this.website/22980_133562402759f4345b334e8.jpgGoygol Gold Early morning light sparkles on the trees surrounding lake Goygol. Early morning and the still waters are like a mirror. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/footsteps https://images.on-this.website/22980_175764924350e73e2512c76.jpgFootsteps Footsteps in wet sand, where were they going? https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/san-giorgio-monochrome https://images.on-this.website/22980_581810584676843cd94566.jpgSan Giorgio Monochrome An alternative high key intrepretation of sunrise. I love the monochrome take of this with San Giorgio Maggiore contrasting against the ethereal gondolas. A 3 minute exposure at sunrise. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/recycle https://images.on-this.website/22980_5777482215bc2f496ac839.jpgRecycle I admit I did help this leaf a little with its position on the branch:) It's impressive to think that the endless carpet of leaves and fallen branches will all be broken down by nature and recycled back into next years growth. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/safety-moment https://images.on-this.website/22980_5232945595ae8b6e552373.jpgSafety Moment https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/a-splash-of-colour https://images.on-this.website/22980_42030954159ee2c66b4b87.jpgA splash of colour A paraglider soars over Lake Garda towards the mountains. Soft late afternoon light and a fiery red parachute. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/venice-pastels https://images.on-this.website/22980_1015479649676060fe794cf.jpgVenice Pastels High tide on a cold December morning and the rising sun colours the high clouds beautifully over the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore. The combination of high tide and a 5 minute long exposure smooths the water and simplifies the foregound composition. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/mercedes-mono https://images.on-this.website/22980_234388500576a849bea49f.jpgMercedes Mono On the late afternoon the strong light and side reflections made for interesting effects. Some creative post processing to give a different take on this head on shot. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/fishing-boats https://images.on-this.website/22980_19124903751fe54a9dad9a.jpgFishing Boats A row of fishing boats beached on the shingle for the night at Branscombe, Devon. The sun sets behind the photographer and the sky gently colours. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/ismayili-gold https://images.on-this.website/22980_5427221435af0a366ad22f.jpgIsmayili Gold Spring poppies bathed in golden light of sunrise in the fields of Ismayili. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/calder-valley-panorama https://images.on-this.website/22980_1833849378517841549c590.jpgCalder Valley Panorama A panoramic view of the hills over the Calder Valley as the mist and clouds clear from the hilltops and valley below. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/s-curve https://images.on-this.website/22980_1071874886675d7caacbe04.jpgS Curve On the Island of Giudecca in Venice the path takes a little kink at one point resulting in this inconspicuous but wonderful curve. Framing this image is like a maths geometry problem!! I spent several minutes deciding on the positioning, trying to accentuate the curve and find a balance of water and foreground with a pleasing position for St Marks. Composition is everything and in this case works nicely. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/besh-barmag-trails https://images.on-this.website/22980_205694515557b04f2931fcc.jpgBesh Barmag Trails Star trails over the five fingers of Besh Barmag mountain. A superb display as we rotate slowly beneath the pole star and the mountain stands high over the Caspian. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/eyes-of-the-leopard https://images.on-this.website/22980_83853127050e7446100393.jpgEyes of the Leopard A deep thoughtfull look from the leopard, Namibia. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/after-the-rain https://images.on-this.website/22980_11097611475d6ff28a59739.jpgAfter The Rain A still morning after a night of heavy rain, Baku boulevard was covered with fantastic puddles, perfect for reflections and textures around the cobblestones. A slightly different take on the Flame Towers than the usual views. The perfect day would have this scene with a few patches in the clouds to let some golden light and colour through onto the foreground, something to go back for when the weather allows!! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/ethereal https://images.on-this.website/22980_9242491445a9c44b8994b3.jpgEthereal First light hits mount Shahdag, the rocks of this mountain always glow under these first rays. Above, the setting moon emerges from swirling clouds. An ethereal scene as night turns into day. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/azneft-colour https://images.on-this.website/22980_20682244945af1e513d6ab8.jpgAzneft Colour https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo25351026.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_139400024755dddf849de9a.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/flame-tower-moonset https://images.on-this.website/22980_532514066ff06eeaa8d0.jpgFlame Tower Moonset https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/port-in-a-storm https://images.on-this.website/22980_19107856656ad05afd27c3.jpgPort in a Storm Exploring the hillsides above Glencoe during an interlude from storm Jonas. Wading across the boggy moor to this cracking little stream which eventually runs down past the three sisters to Loch Achtriochtan. The moody overcast skies kept a reminder of what was waiting to return later that day. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/lost-in-the-milky-way https://images.on-this.website/22980_201950097259428cb41529b.jpgLost in the Milky Way A lone tree and 50,000 light years of Milky Way stretched out overhead. Xizi, Azerbaijan, summer 2017 https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/caucus-moonset https://images.on-this.website/22980_9186704015a90fe92eea9c.jpgCaucus Moonset A cold snowy night at the foot of the Caucusus mountains watching the new moon set over the mountains. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/fisherman https://images.on-this.website/22980_1465795648523c2b3cae0aa.jpgFisherman A fisherman gathers his gear and secures his boat for the night after a days work. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/perfect-symmetry https://images.on-this.website/22980_784966592578d2eee6d8f5.jpgPerfect Symmetry Another in the sequence from sunrise over Tal y Lyn lake. The shots may seem similar, but sitting watching as the clouds evolved over the course of sunrise was breath taking, despite the lack of overt colour I might have hoped for https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/img6076-edit https://images.on-this.website/22980_3991447550e9be2896582.jpgPorth Nanven The famous beach at Porth Nanven, cornwall is a landscape photographers dream. A long exposure with a Hitech 10 stop ND filter. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo34590328.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_3327151575adaf9806566a.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/splash-of-light https://images.on-this.website/22980_74151592758a1f15c591cf.jpgSplash of light https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/besh-barmag-pink https://images.on-this.website/22980_11627734535b3691156344d.jpgBesh Barmag Pink Sunset at Besh Barmag, the earth shadow and venus belt put on a spectacular display of colour over the Caspian Sea. A warm summer night taking in this spectacular view. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/breonio-light https://images.on-this.website/22980_3938912805c39d1d195b15.jpgBreonio Light First light hits the church of Breonio in Lessinia, Italy. A beautiful display of soft morning colours above the clouds. Biting cold, below zero and a strong breeze, but this only made the display more spectacular.. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/a-classic https://images.on-this.website/22980_1904431035572d729158bad.jpgA classic A classic old Baku car, in the old city. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/through-the-gap https://images.on-this.website/22980_21025958295c1bb889b4bbf.jpgThrough the gap The gap between land and sky, the rising sun lights up the hills of Qusar as the blanket of cloud rolls in. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/november-moonlight https://images.on-this.website/22980_2128844392692380a28ba11.jpgNovember Moonlight A cold clear November night watching the crescent moon drop over the Diana Fountain in Bushy Park. A stunning scene to watch develop over 30 minutes after sunset. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/bridestones https://images.on-this.website/22980_1362496667517841495c361.jpgBridestones Dawn light colours the sky behind the bridestones, on the moors above Todmorden, West Yorkshire. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/pin-mill-before-the-tide https://images.on-this.website/22980_515584074690f49ec8675d.jpgPin Mill, Before The Tide Most people focus on the reflections at this location, high tide and long exposures do make for compelling images of these boats. But I also wanted to try something a bit different, so a while before the tide rose around the boats I have the chance to brave the mud and get close up with a slightly different angle. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/perfect-alignment https://images.on-this.website/22980_92243790067155ac0e5a0c.jpgPerfect Alignment Comet C\2023 A3 Tsuchinshan ATLAS passes through the solar system once in 80,000 years and lines up perfectly with the old Brighton west pier. Once in a thousand generations and yet you can find the perfect point to stand to line up with this iconic structure. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/lone-tree https://images.on-this.website/22980_4861399051c70da8cb1c7.jpgLone Tree Snow lies deep on the ground and the branches of this lone tree in Bushy Park.. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/motion-blur https://images.on-this.website/22980_8259941435af1e510cfaf2.jpgMotion Blur https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/london-city-solstice https://images.on-this.website/22980_57343581261c3a04bded72.jpgLondon City Solstice It’s usually the way that the final image I take on a trip out is the one I end up liking the most! And this proves to be the case here, I loved the closeups of the moon over St Paul’s that I had purposely gone for and taken a little earlier in the evening, but my heart was stolen by the panoramic cityscape over the river, as the glowing moon sat pride of place in the sky! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/highlights-of-dubai https://images.on-this.website/22980_12266787145a3aa677d0e78.jpgHighlights of Dubai The tallest building in the world, surprisingly difficult to get a clear view around down town Dubai. Trying for something a little different and more fun with lights. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo23313162.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_118214304754a8653554ce8.jpgFire In The Sky Before the sun rises above the hills, fire in the sky burns a deep red. A deep frost sits on the fields and a freezing mist hangs in the valley. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/graffiti-artist https://images.on-this.website/22980_115228111951179b2fbcd48.jpgGraffiti artist South bank, london, graffiti area. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/jupiter-by-xizi https://images.on-this.website/22980_16811077435ad0e4f84aa5d.jpgJupiter by Xizi As the Milky Way peeps out from behind the clouds in the hills near Xizi, Jupiter glows bright on the right hand side of the image. The largest planet in the solar system lights up the sky. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/chirag-by-night https://images.on-this.website/22980_17075027955d2196e3a782c.jpgChirag by Night Chirag Qala castle, high on the rocks at 1200m above the Caspian Sea with the milky way arching across the sky. Amazing to think this castle was built 1500 years ago on the top of this steep rocky outcrop. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/flame-towers-by-night https://images.on-this.website/22980_2437617475922e86828d70.jpgFlame Towers by Night A long exposure of the flame towers, light trails and colours. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/iron-man https://images.on-this.website/22980_597549635693b0bbebab7f.jpgIron Man Another place, Crosby Beach , the iron men emerge from the water as the tide recedes. Wet sand makes for tricky conditions for long exposures but the opportunities for simplicity and abstract compositions are well worth the effort. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/fallow-deer https://images.on-this.website/22980_212660006650e468c30fa66.jpgFallow Deer A young fallow deer catches the autumn light in Richmond Park https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/guardian-of-the-galaxy https://images.on-this.website/22980_19052479559077e3fa42eb0.18575398.jpgGuardian of the Galaxy A clear spring night and the Milky Way rises over the hills of Xizi in Azerbaijan. A lone tree silhouettes against the glow of Baku visible 100km distant. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo32088369.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_1464893531596d0d2baeacd.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/battersea-powerstation https://images.on-this.website/22980_18966574050f1bac49cbda.jpgBattersea Powerstation Battersea powerstation standing over the river Thames. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/the-long-view https://images.on-this.website/22980_54794357256ad05b8011ea.jpgThe Long View The view down the pass of Glencoe, the three sisters of Bidean nam Bian visible on the left. In the far distance the Pap of Glencoe, Sgorr na Ciche, is just visible. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/venice-blush https://images.on-this.website/22980_3655049496765f18d8c498.jpgVenice Blush Before sunrise, a few high scattered clouds and the whole world turned to pink. A 3 minute long exposure gives this an other worldy feel https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/celestial https://images.on-this.website/22980_5764174945ae580ba74843.jpgCelestial Looking east to Besh Barmag, a clear spring night as the earth spins beneath the stars. Looking east to the Celestial eqauator you see both rotations around the Northern and Southern celestial poles. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/baku-highway https://images.on-this.website/22980_626186925922e86a75e07.jpgBaku Highway Looking along the Bulvar to the National Flag Square. Baku by night is an array of lights and colours. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/road-to-dizaver https://images.on-this.website/22980_2085419195b42515cbb0d3.jpgRoad to Dizaver Exploring the back roads of Xizi, the road to Dizaver village, lit up under a full milky way arch on a clear summers night. I need to return and make it to the village itself so see it beneath the stars. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/tower-bridge-moon https://images.on-this.website/22980_2570736756124cf24a9f1c.jpgMoon Under Tower Bridge Don't you just love it when it all comes together, this alignment only happens a couple of times per year at moonrise around Tower bridge. Perfect conditions, the light and alignment of the moon drifting nicely through Tower Bridge, a really enjoyable spectacle to watch. So many people stopping to see this spectacular view unfold. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/olympic-mountain-bike-through-the https://images.on-this.website/22980_55397881350e44e98da6a5.jpgOlympic mountain bike through the forest Rwandan olympic mountan bike competitor Adrien Niyonshuti at speed through the forest, London 2012 https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/order-from-chaos https://images.on-this.website/22980_15547108545ab509164d835.jpgOrder from Chaos Finding order from chaos in the cracks and textures of the mud flows in Gobustan. Soft morning light at sunrise showcases the textures and shapes of this changing landscape https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/shikhovo-sunset https://images.on-this.website/22980_1963327345572e31236b61d.jpgShikhovo Sunset Looking southwest to Sangachal from the peak of Shikhovo rocks, the sunset sprays a beautiful orange light across the far hills and ageing jackup rigs. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/renault-yellow https://images.on-this.website/22980_14415404915af1e50ecd4a0.jpgRenault Yellow https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/pink-shahdag https://images.on-this.website/22980_142685825858a1f15e4f66e.jpgPink Shahdag https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/the-home-straight https://images.on-this.website/22980_839906477576e8e22b601d.jpgThe home straight A wide angle pan as Lewis Hamilton blasts down the home straight in front of the government building and pit lane. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/oliver-townend https://images.on-this.website/22980_1465275808507b2ed4cc13a.jpgOliver Townend Oliver Townend at Burghley Horse Trials https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/blue-on-yellow https://images.on-this.website/22980_68579251357644a61b712d.jpgBlue on yellow https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/glenridding-nights https://images.on-this.website/22980_4487177835f6e00be408ab.jpgGlenridding Nights As I drove around the lake under clear dark skies I could not resist stopping to take a shot straight down to the galactic centre with Glenridding beneath. The building clouds and glow from the village add some lake district atmosphere! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/venetian-minimalism https://images.on-this.website/22980_6194955956765ec85680df.jpgVenetian Minimalism A cold cloudy december day, lots of cloud made for perfect minimalism conditions. Long exposures of 8 minutes simplify the world to the bare minimum. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/painting-with-light https://images.on-this.website/22980_199367649755ddddbf94475.jpgPainting With Light As the sun sets the final light paints the clouds and rocks of cove bay in bold red light. Every surface glows with the final light. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/galactic-eruption https://images.on-this.website/22980_2060370260596cf216dbfad.jpgGalactic Eruption A night under the stars at the mud volcanoes of Gobustan. Being on the outskirts of Baku and Qobustan, with a major highway and villages just a few km away light pollution is not surprisingly hellish here, but I tried to embrace it in these images rather than fight it. It's a reflection of the location and to me the colours add an appropriate compliment to the volcanic nature of the site. Still one of my favourite locations in Azerbaijan. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/in-the-bunch https://images.on-this.website/22980_207706175153b077db29266.jpgIn the bunch https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/qobustan-sunrise https://images.on-this.website/22980_14797713735a68ccc91b234.jpgQobustan Sunrise Azerbaijan hosts the worlds highest population of mud volcanoes, I love seeking out these strange formations. An ever changing landscape. On this particular day sunrise was obscured by heavy fog and we only ventured away from the car when we were sure would find our way back! Definitely a location to return to when clearer skies prevail. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/tufandag-dawn https://images.on-this.website/22980_105502829597b7d4bcd9a7.jpgTufandag dawn The very first light of day hits Mount Tufandag, as it stands over Khinalug village. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/queen-of-goygol https://images.on-this.website/22980_10571033259f4344d716dd.jpgQueen of Goygol A lone swan glides across Goygol in the morning. A beautiful and graceful animal surrounded by the mountains. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/shopping https://images.on-this.website/22980_74194872652c2b741bcd25.jpgJanuary Sales Covent Garden market, an elderly gentlemen braves the weather for shopping in the January sales. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/img2014 https://images.on-this.website/22980_151956937555afd595655c1.jpgPastel Sunset Looking West along the Fulking Escarpment towards Edburton Hill, from Devils Dyke. The sun has set and mist is forming in the plain. A very delicate sunset topped off by the crescent moon. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/canary-wharf-mirror https://images.on-this.website/22980_1159615506679e5f130e3f4.jpgCanary Wharf Mirror I had wanted to visit this location for a while and conditions looked promising, a low tide with overcast skies and little wind. Once in a while it all works, the imposing skyline superbly reflected in the receeding river Thames. I'll go back here again but a thoroughly enjoyable time and well worth getting up at 5.30 for!!! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/red-cape https://images.on-this.website/22980_11598139195d431abbc0326.jpgRed Cape Cap Frehel, as the sun approaches the horizon it brought the most spectacular display of colour to the skies. At times like this it's difficult to remember to take a photo, so impressive is the display before you. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/home-beneath-the-stars https://images.on-this.website/22980_138564632557f8753e7ad92.jpgHome beneath the stars This fishermans hut makes a superb location beneath the stars at Shuraabad. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/delicate-in-xizi https://images.on-this.website/22980_16690289775c4f446d873e0.jpgDelicate in Xizi It's 2 years since I last visited this spot, no snow this time but a nice dusting of frost and it was still biting cold around zero. Pre-dawn light started to colour the sky with beautiful subtle blues and pinks as the mist rolled through the valley. I love the colours and light of blue hour, this scene lasted only for a few fleeting minutes but I think is my favorite from this morning. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/ancient-history https://images.on-this.website/22980_751689919597643262ca73.jpgAncient History The village of Khinalug, one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in Azerbaijan stretching back 5000 years. Perched on a hill, under the truly ancient Milky Way, the mountains of Azerbaijan dwarfed in its scale. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/baku-purple https://images.on-this.website/22980_11124653455b85713a8c746.jpgBaku Purple The iconic flame towers, before sunrise the sky starts to colour deep blue, the full moon has just set and lights up the sky behind the towers. A perfect summer morning and a spectacular view to start the day. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/rush-housr-bushy-park https://images.on-this.website/22980_17773778950f17273c2aba.jpgRush Hour, Bushy Park Rush hour in Bushy Park, a deer watches a commuter through the mist on a frosty morning. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/sunset-moonrise https://images.on-this.website/22980_212055903258051fa79f279.jpgSunset, Moonrise Looking up the valley to QyzylQaya. Warm golden light illuminates the mountain face as the moon rises overhead. The first winter snows on the peak contrast with the last warmth of autumn in the air. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/accademia-sunrise https://images.on-this.website/22980_708868858675d7cabbeea5.jpgAccademia Sunrise Early morning from the Ponte dell’accademia, first light breaks over the grand canal. 4 minutes of tranquility before the city awakes and the boats start on the canal. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/jumeirah-waves https://images.on-this.website/22980_7999604885ba92ef80b5e9.jpgJumeirah Waves Pastel colours and gentle waves at the Burj Al Arab, a beautiful sunset to start my trip in Dubai. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/last-light https://images.on-this.website/22980_46619701250e73e2124ce6.jpgLast light The last light of sunset across the atlantic waves, Praia Monte Clerigo, Portugal. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/in-between https://images.on-this.website/22980_131096657159a1467503c36.jpgIn between On the edge between day and night, a crescent moon chases venus across the sky. Cloud catcher canyon is just visible at the bottom. Taken in Giriz village, August 2017. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/volcanic https://images.on-this.website/22980_1414156409578e831d9123b.jpgVolcanic The mud volcanoes of Gobustan at sunset, gently creeping mud, not a sole around and the most beautiful displays of texture and colour to please the eye. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/heart-of-baku https://images.on-this.website/22980_93083946659f9d0ecd1838.jpgHeart of Baku The Heydar Aliyev Centre, a spectacular piece of architecture located in the very heart of the city. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/sumqayit-twilight https://images.on-this.website/22980_14115853135bdedf878311a.jpgSumqayit Twilight Early morning on the boulevard at Sumqayit as twilight just breaks. I love this few minutes between night and the start of dawn, the last few stars as the sunrise colours start to build. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/first-rising https://images.on-this.website/22980_1574177034590a3206bcf962.53528634.jpgFirst Rising The milky way finally rises over the horizon and a small group of photographers admire the spectacle, mountains, trees and a spectacular display of stars. What a beautiful country to explore. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/reflections-of-london https://images.on-this.website/22980_1172262204678422ce6caa2.jpgReflections of London A rainy day in London makes for puddles, and some nice reflections of iconic buildings. I did not have a lens big enough for this scene so this is a vertical panorama for the full view, and on a grey day monochrome brings it to life. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/the-watcher https://images.on-this.website/22980_86137346658835b9663fd7.jpgThe Watcher A single tree, perched high on a ridge in the hills outside Xizi, as first light hits the far snow covered hills. Cold crisp and perfectly still, a fabulous morning to be out exploring Azerbaijan! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/img1838-edit https://images.on-this.website/22980_74163505655afd2a2ee74a.jpgLet them eat cake! Taken in Brick Lane, East London, a few days after the budget this hoarding was painted in the morning and had been taken down by the afternoon. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/face-to-face https://images.on-this.website/22980_2967340815553bae11f07f.jpgFace to Face This squirrel comes face to face with his reflection, both chasing the last nut in the water. I love the arrow head he makes as he reaches for the nut. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/the-beacon https://images.on-this.website/22980_10263094936079b7413d352.jpgThe Beacon Superb clear skies over the south coast of the UK, Beachy Head lighthouse shining bright as the milky way core rises over the english channel. I was surprised just how much glow of light pollution you get out over the channel to France, but it adds in this case I think and the overall effect is pleasing to the eye. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/old-and-new https://images.on-this.website/22980_2077562438572d7295a9b22.jpgOld and new The flame towers of Baku seen across from the old city. A fairly dull and overcast morning unfortunately. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/shahdag-sunset https://images.on-this.website/22980_12410662958a1f16024267.jpgShahdag Sunset https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/caspian-atmosphere https://images.on-this.website/22980_470568945cb8b8b7417c9.jpgCaspian Atmosphere A promising sunset turned quickly to low clouds and stormy conditions down at the old rigs. Still it was quite atmospheric and fun to find a simple composition with the seaweed and long exposures. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/pairs https://images.on-this.website/22980_18659461175eea227431855.jpgPairs A thick mist across Richmond Park turned to soup in the rising sun. This pair of trees and grazing deer caught my eye. It's great to be out in conditions like this, playing with compositions and light in the mist. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/caspian-colours https://images.on-this.website/22980_20408790475caa274825db1.jpgCaspian Colours Standing in the dark watching the stars slowly creep by, if you look carefully over a few minutes you will see barely perceptible movement. Capture this on camera over a couple of hours and the results are stunning, and remind us that we sit on a rock spinning at 1,000 miles per hour amongst the stars. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo36096175.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_13194035135b85905557952.jpgTangerine Besh Barmag Sunset over the five fingered mountain. Superb light and the mountain glows orange as the colours on sunset catch the clouds whilst we wait for the moon to rise. The last full moon of summer, by next month it will be autumn and these clear warm nights will be a thing of memory. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/baku-earth-shadow https://images.on-this.website/22980_1333222625b85704d80324.jpgBaku Earth Shadow Just before sunrise, the deep blue earth shadow skims across the city ahead of the rising sun. My favourite time of day if you get these conditions, the beautiful pink band forms above the shadow as first light breaks through. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/dizaver-nights https://images.on-this.website/22980_18487023055b61d91a1d1f5.jpgDizaver Nights The remote village of Dizaver in the hills outside Xizi, second attempt to reach this location and we were rewarded with a superb milky way display. Great fun to reach, I need to go back in the day time to see more of the interesting spot. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/goygol-colour https://images.on-this.website/22980_93598566759f4345e2d2d0.jpgGoygol Colour Autumn in the mountains surrounding lake Goygol, spectacular displays of colour in the trees. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/beach-fun https://images.on-this.website/22980_4416523365a51d8168d452.jpgBeach Fun A blustery winter afternoon in St Malo, no beach umbrellas or towels today, but great fun watching the waves roll in. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/electric-spaghetti https://images.on-this.website/22980_13886699175a3aa67f30335.jpgElectric Spaghetti The roads of Dubai are a maze to navigate, this is really brought home after dark when the lights highlight the curves and crossings of the highways. Looking down on the convoluted network reminded me of tangled spaghetti! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/maralgol-symmetry https://images.on-this.website/22980_58195640059f434556210b.jpgMaralgol Symmetry A little more abstract view from maralgol, no skies or mountains, just splashes of colour reflected in the perfectly still water as the sun sets over the mountains behind. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/small-water-reflections https://images.on-this.website/22980_370391993612cd20a62a17.jpgSmall Water Reflections A 2 hour hike including some "off piste" work to get to this viwepoint above Small Water in the lake district. Calm conditions made for superb reflections in the tarn. Well worth the effort to see the sun rising over the ridge and the morning light colouring the hills. It's shame that Haweswater, in the valley beyond was low this particularly morning but this is still one of my favourite images from this morning. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/jupiter-rising https://images.on-this.website/22980_7088128085c65a8085e6b7.jpgJupiter Rising This is why we go out in the middle of the night, braving sub-zero temperatures, encounters with wildlife and pitch darkness. To be rewarded with such spectacularly clear skies and views of the heavens. Jupiter sits just above the galactic centre, rising over the mountains of Azerbaijan as Qiriz village sleeps in the foreground. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/curves-in-qobustan https://images.on-this.website/22980_19589730025cd46526e6abd.jpgCurves in Qobustan A night out at the mud volcanoes in Qobustan and I spied this little pool behind the volcanoes. Almost perfectly still conditions led to stunning reflections. The tighter crop rather than a wide angle lens helps to accentuate the curves. We forget that the stars are not white, they burn all manner of colours due to their chemistry. This is a superb dark sky location on a warm still spring night, one of the best nights under the stars I have had in Azerbaijan!! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/sunrise-in-the-lakes https://images.on-this.website/22980_18757683575f6e0796431b1.jpgSunrise in the Lakes An 0230 start to trek to the top of Sheffield Pike for sunrise with @ChrisSale to guide. A great experience and somewhere I would never have got without guidance. Sunrise alas was snubbed by the clouds. A complete contrast to the clear starry night before! Still an impressive cairn and view when a little light did start to break through the weather! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/dragons-rest https://images.on-this.website/22980_1738051507578d2ee963513.jpgDragons rest King Arthur was said to have dragged a water dragon, the afanc, with his horse to the isolated Llyn Cau lake. Good luck if he did!!!! It's a truly mystical place, the sun has risen, the wind has dropped to a whisper leading to the most perfect reflections of Cadair Idris in the waters, and I'm like a kid in a sweet shop:) https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/frosted-dawn https://images.on-this.website/22980_45028350150e468cf58f16.jpgFrosted Dawn Deer in Richmond Park at Dawn, misty breath in the frosty air. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/falloch-minor https://images.on-this.website/22980_162905725956ae39ee1a46b.jpgFalloch Minor The falls of Falloch are a good size waterfall close to Crianlarich in the county of Stirling. This little fall is a tiny tributary into the stream but it caught my eye and made for a great little diversion on the journey home from Glencoe. On overly long shutter speed turns the water to featureless mist, too fast and it's a spatter of droplets, this is my favourite balance where the water retains distinct strings and texture with a pleasing blur. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/sun-over-stac-pollaidh https://images.on-this.website/22980_95787746514c90ddc2a5e.jpgSun over Stac Pollaidh After the snow, the clouds clear and blue skies form with the sun falling across Lochan an Ais and Stac Pollaidh. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/owl-hole https://images.on-this.website/22980_7899410225188be60f2703.jpgOwl Hole Sam Griffiths of Australia emerges from the Owl Hole during Badminton Horse Trials 2013. A slow shutter speed blurs the background. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/tangerine-besh-barmag https://images.on-this.website/22980_104332903658ceb9a3bd579.jpgTangerine Besh Barmag The sun rises over the hills of Xizi on a spring morning, the holy mountain of Besh Barmag is silhouetted against a tangerine sky. The warming glow of the sun contrasted with the photographer who was standing knee deep in snow in the hills of the Altai Gach as this was taken!! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/moonrise-over-besh-barmag https://images.on-this.website/22980_12131277815b8826606480d.jpgMoonrise over Besh Barmag I don't usually do photoshop to this degree, but this is an idea I wanted to try after seeing a fantastic example of this done for the lunar eclipse. 55 images of the moon taken over 2 hours from sunset as the moon rises over Besh Barmag mountain and then combined to create this sequence. Clear skies, spectacular colours and a great evening relaxing watching the moon come up over the mountain. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/xizi-panorama https://images.on-this.website/22980_14206842975738b790b2406.jpgXizi panorama The texture of the hills and mountains outside Xizi is spectacular, undulating rocky hills merge into rolling grassy hills and meadows. The feel of the hills make you imagine glaciers and earthquakes. A landscape photographers playground!! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/the-pyramid https://images.on-this.website/22980_53134688158ebe0351cee1.jpgThe Pyramid Pre-dawn in the French Alps and La Pyramide is hidden behind high clouds at 2839m. Despite the soft dawning colours I loved this image in black and white. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/qiriz https://images.on-this.website/22980_2106401985585973d1d999e.jpgQiriz Qiriz village, perched at 2500m in the mountains of Azerbaijan. It is before sunrise, about -20 and the sun is just beginning to colour the sky. The village slowly comes to life as light and warmth trickles across the surrounding hills. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/red-tixli https://images.on-this.website/22980_10449223855ab4c846697e8.jpgRed Tixli An uncertain start to the day, which location to visit, which direction would work best given the sunrise and building clouds. But in the end, rewarded with the most spectacular display of colour as the sun rose over the Caspian. This little area of farmland behind Tixkli village is littered with these lone trees, a great spot for photography. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo22227486.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_161930433153fe4c7b0d29a.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/sunset-in-the-desert https://images.on-this.website/22980_1636171335d07c77fcebae.jpgSunset in the Desert Waiting for the moon to rise, watching a spectacular display of colour over the desert of Qobustan. Textures and layers receding into the distance, it feels more like Mars than planet Earth! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/spice-souk https://images.on-this.website/22980_7909108625ba92ef5330cf.jpgSpice Souk Wandering around the spice souk in Deira, overpowered with smells and colours, and the regular offers from the shop owners to come and sample their produce or buy a scarf! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo32216332.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_833837642597b7d48dad29.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/dusk-in-dubai https://images.on-this.website/22980_17467698945a3aa68390568.jpgDusk in Dubai Golden light over the skyscrapers of Dubai on a warm winters evening. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/home-amongst-the-stars https://images.on-this.website/22980_121323830959a14514049f5.jpgHome amongst the stars The milky way rises over Qiriz village at 2000m in the mountains of Azerbaijan, reflected in a small pond in the village centre. The last time I was here it was minus 30 degrees C and deep snow. A pleasure to return under clear summer skies but I know the winter will call me back!! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/khinalug-dawn https://images.on-this.website/22980_989488058597b7d46ab3c6.jpgKhinalug dawn Soft morning light plays over Mount Tuffendag and the hills behind Khinalug. A stunning morning to take in the views. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/shamakhi-nights https://images.on-this.website/22980_1042998826579dc09431478.jpgShamakhi Nights The moon illuminates the dome of the Shamakhi observatory. A truly spectacular location. I had gone in hope of the milky way but it was almost impossible due to the nearly full moon. The way is faintly visible here above the dome. Nevertheless a great experience to visit this stunning setting and take in the stars. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/lioness-panthera-leo https://images.on-this.website/22980_197244741350e744590085f.jpgLioness, Panthera Leo Lioness creeping through the grass in the golden early morning light, Etosha, Namibia. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/palazzo-tetta-blue-hour https://images.on-this.website/22980_207944706867d6af6761238.jpgPalazzo Tetta Blue Hour This is a fabulous building in Venice surrounded on 3 sides by water. It's tricky to shoot as the light needs to be behind you and the viewpoint is on a busy narrow bridge with passing boat traffic, but luck and the conditions combined for a few quiet minutes. This is one of my favourite images from my few days in Venice and hopefully not the last time I get to see and photograph this unique little spot. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/sunset-over-the-peter-and https://images.on-this.website/22980_155297362850e491080793e.jpgSunset over the Peter and Paul Fortress, St Petersburg The sun sets over the River Neva with the spire of the Peter and Paul Fortress silhouetted against the sky. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/redbull-blur https://images.on-this.website/22980_17328941205af1e50dcdcb3.jpgRedbull Blur https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/baku-bay-light-show https://images.on-this.website/22980_9451585215922e86c00303.jpgBaku Bay Light Show Fun with long exposures at night, Baku bay lights up as impressive as any international city. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo31767858.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_875792788595022e93bc4e.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/purple-rocher https://images.on-this.website/22980_126740860658ebe035b3deb.jpgPurple Rocher Pre-dawn light, a delicate purple / pink sky illuminates the French alps. As mist hangs low in the valleys, the distant snow covered peak of Rocher du Lac stands at 2776m waiting for the first light of day. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/the-great-arch https://images.on-this.website/22980_2035913233592301b9644a0.jpgThe Great Arch High clouds picking up light pollution from distant villages and the Milky Way arches out across the sky above. This deserted mosque and gravestones a curious location out amongst the hills of Qobustan. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/rannoch-moor-autumn https://images.on-this.website/22980_1033336297547850c2d8555.jpgRannoch Moor Autumn The grass of Rannoch Moor almost glows orange in the morning autumn light. Another still morning and the skies and stones are reflected in the perfect still water. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/early-morning-blues https://images.on-this.website/22980_151349463255dde08bcfb1e.jpgEarly Morning Blues First light rises across Lossiemouth beach. The soft blue light is reflected in the low tide and contrasts nicely against the golden sands of the beach. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/layers-at-loch-ba https://images.on-this.website/22980_1290353085547847f04c91b.jpgLayers at Loch Ba Standing on the banks of loch ba, the receding layers of reed beds and islands lead the viewer into the distant sunset. The far hills burn red in the final light. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/snowdon-mirror https://images.on-this.website/22980_15022555715b60ade72e002.jpgSnowdon Mirror Perfect still waters in LLynnau Mymbyr, under the first light of day Snowdon glows in a perfect reflection. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/when-the-moon-and-milky https://images.on-this.website/22980_1586569636594295ff0652b.jpgWhen the Moon and Milky Way Meet The milky way in full view rising over the lights of Baku in the distance, and the moon rises deep red over the horizon. Within a few minutes of taking this shot, the milky way was lost to the light of the moon for another night. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/at-the-feet-of-giants https://images.on-this.website/22980_41506217156abec5329d69.jpgAt the Feet of Giants A small tree breaks through a rocky outcrop on Rannoch Moor. Just after sunrise in January and the snow topped mountains behind climb into the approaching blizzard. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/skyfall https://images.on-this.website/22980_106223999559948713d3b66.jpgSkyfall Perseid meteors falling over the hills of Xizi against the backdrop of the milky way. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/shahdag-moonset https://images.on-this.website/22980_12912760315a9c3cec62a92.jpgShahdag Moonset The almost full moon sets over a snowy Shahdag at sunrise, conditions were perfect, a smattering of clouds brings beautiful texture to the sky and the mountain glowed in the first light. I was reminded of Ansel Adams Moonrise over Hernandez, and opted for black and white, a strange choice for a sunrise but the texture and detail of the scene works best in mono. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/stonehenge-harvest-moon https://images.on-this.website/22980_3784453686149d04460d88.jpgStonehenge Harvest Moon I had wanted to try a moonset shot at Stonehenge for some time, the timing of moonset and sunrise, a forecast of clear skies and potential mist persuaded me this would be worth the early wake up call. I wanted a longer focal length and a big moon behind the stones but the heavy mist and lay of the land put paid to that. As the moon dropped over the stones, the sky turned through purples and pinks and the stones almost glowed in the twilight. Perfectly positioned here for just a few seconds over the centre of the stones was quite special to watch. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/shahdag-twighlight https://images.on-this.website/22980_49615133657d97ef3a3388.jpgShahdag Twighlight Pre-dawn, the first rays of light break over the horizon and mount Shahdag starts to glow a soft purple in the twilight. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/west-pier-monochrome https://images.on-this.website/22980_20516789206803f9f360268.jpgWest Pier Monochrome A monochrome interpretation of sunrise at the old west pier. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/reflections-on-the-night https://images.on-this.website/22980_18167700545a8f116717803.jpgReflections on the night Standing at the edge of the pond in the centre of Qiriz village, stars above you and looking down, stars reflected beneath you. A super night immersed in the stars. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/baku-moonrise https://images.on-this.website/22980_90010566859b02089d6ccd.jpgBaku Moonrise The full moon rises over the lighthouse in Baku bay. The heavy haze had me searching for the moon and it wasn't visible until it was well above the horizon. But as the colours from the setting sun coloured the horizon it complemented the low red moon beautifully. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/golden-hour-mercedes https://images.on-this.website/22980_11140726855af1e508ec238.jpgGolden Hour Mercedes https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/symmetry https://images.on-this.website/22980_645003275547847ef01224.jpgSymmetry The banks of Loch Achtriochtan gently curve down to the still water. The autumn colours of the heather reflected in perfect symmetry. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/eruption https://images.on-this.website/22980_601454776578e7dc539421.jpgEruption Sunset over the mud volcanoes of Gobustan. The spectacular texture of the mud and the ever growing tongues of new material are amazing when combined with the subtle afterglow of sunset in the clouds above. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/arrowhead https://images.on-this.website/22980_86849515547847ed97f3a.jpgArrowhead The peaks of the opposing hills create a pleasing shadow on the banks of Loch Achtriochtan. The perfect reflection in the still water creating an arrowhead. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/red-on-green https://images.on-this.website/22980_6809513855738b792c88ba.jpgRed on Green A single poppy stands amongst the meadow and wild flowers on a hot spring afternoon. I aim to return to this particular location in more favourable conditions at sunrise or sunset as the colours and landscape are breath taking and worthy of more time. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/shahdag-glow https://images.on-this.website/22980_190057088957d97fd3d5df2.jpgShahdag Glow First light hits Shahdag mountain above Laza village and the mountain burns brilliant red. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/morning-call https://images.on-this.website/22980_1911387756546ca4ea8ad08.jpgMorning Call A stag makes his morning call to the surrounding deer during the rutt in bushy park. Sunrise blazes in the background as the sky turns from red to orange. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/1000mph https://images.on-this.website/22980_14089776935b32097aa390e.jpg1000mph Here we sit beneath the stars, spinning gently at 1000 miles per hour. Besh Barmag, summer 2018. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/burj-moon https://images.on-this.website/22980_1875362255ba92ef76345a.jpgBurj Moon A perfect evening, after the sun set the pinks and blues were stunning and the crescent moon topped off the scene nicely as the first stars appeared over the gulf. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/history https://images.on-this.website/22980_8178828525b36915361e13.jpgHistory In the hills between Xizi and Besh Barmag, the ruins of an old abandoned village slowly fading away. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/ice-fall https://images.on-this.website/22980_1447523306585973d63bfeb.jpgIce fall This fabulous frozen grotto is high in the mountains above Qiriz village. The falls and river freeze, although you can disconcertingly continue to hear water flowing beneath. A magic place to see and experience. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/a-study-in-monochrome https://images.on-this.website/22980_1388305472578d2eeb6cf91.jpgA study in monochrome 30 minutes before dawn, zero colour in the sky but the most amazing display of reflections in the lake and brooding atmosphere. Not to all tastes I know but, variety is the spice etc.!!! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/cove-bay-gold https://images.on-this.website/22980_134056766855ddd9f03809d.jpgCove Bay Gold As the sun sets the low golden light hits the sandstone rock face. The rocks glow almost painfully orange. A stunning and peaceful end to the day. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/pink-and-blue https://images.on-this.website/22980_197183520055ddd9f2c5863.jpgPink and Blue The final light of sunset turns the underside of the clouds a delicate pink, which contrasts nicely against the deepening blue of the sky and sea. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/moonbeams-in-the-desert https://images.on-this.website/22980_171014076959a708dd41890.jpgMoonbeams in the desert The moon turns red as it sets over the desert of Gobustan, Azerbaijan. Moonbeams scatter through the clouds over Azerbaijans miniature table top mountain. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/snow-fall-over-stac-pollaidh https://images.on-this.website/22980_2033199056514c90d8f2a5d.jpgSnow fall over Stac Pollaidh A dark and moody sky as the clouds form and snow falls across Stac Pollaidh and the valley below, Lochan an Ais in the foreground. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/arthurs-land https://images.on-this.website/22980_1349007196578d2ee231bce.jpgArthurs Land Although Tintagel is the traditionally known home of Arthur, Cader Idris was apparently within his realm and a candidate for Calemot. It's not difficult to imagine why, a majestic location with stupendous views of the valley beneath. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/after-the-snow https://images.on-this.website/22980_82529847358ebe032b3f61.jpgAfter the snow A beautiful woodland in the French Alps. It's the end of winter, the snow has gone and the warm morning light finally breaks over the mountain ridge behind. I love the detail in these trees and sense of approaching spring. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/pink-moon https://images.on-this.website/22980_16163440955a9c4380008a5.jpgPink Moon These conditions only occur a couple of days per month around the full moon, sunrise colour lights up the sky as the moon sets over mount Shahdag. The balance of light keeps the moon from becoming a bright white blob. Quite a special view of this impressive sight when sun, moon and weather all combine over the mountain. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/red-bull-baby https://images.on-this.website/22980_1462281984576a84a2d3a5f.jpgRed Bull Baby Carlos Sainz at high speed. A slow panning image gives a real sensation of speed and movement. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/winter-constellations-at-romney-marsh https://images.on-this.website/22980_1344568505650757397c172.jpgWinter Constellations at Romney Marsh The summer is gone, the Milky Way core is now below the horizon and the sinter constellations start to make their appearance. 3 of my favourite stellar objects encircling the St Thomas Becket church at Romney Marsh. The seven sisters of the Pleiades cluster glows a stunning blue, the giant of our solar system jupiter and the red giant Aldebaran. Winter is coming!! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/first-light-over-loch-culdrommannan https://images.on-this.website/22980_922313959514c2cd23c3fb.jpgFirst light over Loch Culdrommannan First light falls on Stac Pollaidh over an icy still Loch Culdrommannan as the earth shadow fades. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/fading-sky https://images.on-this.website/22980_14037972625467a8bd1f8dc.jpgFading Sky The impressive sky fades over Castle Stalker. The deepening blue and emerging colours of what would turn into a spectacular sunset. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/brighton-swell https://images.on-this.website/22980_124015022609eb5e55925a.jpgBrighton Swell First light hits the old West pier at Brighton beach with some impressive wave action going on in front. A live seascapes and the movement of the waves over a longer exposure. Sunrise was impressive but nowhere near the pier out to sea!!! Luckily the light broke through the clouds for justa few inutes to illuminate the pier, standing out against the moody sky behind. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/baku-gold https://images.on-this.website/22980_2109959770598467ee58f87.jpgBaku Gold The flame towers of Baku reflect golden in the shimmering Caspian Sea before dawn. The colours of sunrise have yet to build and the sky shifts from darkness to a deep intense blue. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/good-morning-dubai https://images.on-this.website/22980_1201343735a3aa67d74d89.jpgGood Morning Dubai Early morning, clear skies before dawn, a different view of Dubai as it shakes off the night and the lights fade to daylight. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/odd-one-out https://images.on-this.website/22980_6005179905e89ddfee04ce.jpgOdd One Out Super conditions in Bushy Park, a thick mist hamging over the trees building even more as the sun came up. This herd of fallow deer came wandering through and milled around the trees for half an hour, perfectly positioned against the rising colour of sunrise. There is always one looking the other way! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/lyn-cau-dawn https://images.on-this.website/22980_1810992823578d2eda39c79.jpgLyn Cau Dawn A pre-dawn walk to the shores of Lyn Cau. The crest of Cadair Idris towers in the background and the first slivers of light turn the high clouds a delicate pink. I was the only person within sight, feeling of real solitude and privilege to watch the dawn unfold. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/volcanic-earth-shadow https://images.on-this.website/22980_403733917581f6abdc7473.jpgVolcanic Earth Shadow As the mud volcano's slowly creep outwards, the earth shadow passes overhead with the belt of venus starting to appear a delicate pink above. Light, colour and shape to take your breath away. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/st-basils-red-square https://images.on-this.website/22980_1436793893507b2f58a3f02.jpgSt Basils & Red Square The colourful St Basils Cathedral, the entry to Red Square at sunset, Moscow, Russia https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/bellissimo https://images.on-this.website/22980_73011739357659dd41a60d.jpgBellissimo My favourite shot of the F1 weekend. Sebastian Vettel blasts down the home straight to qualify second. Sparks, speed, you can almost hear the prancing horse. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/the-great-rift-at-bodiam https://images.on-this.website/22980_62651768650e8b15b4500.jpgThe Great Rift at Bodiam Castle I had wanted to visit Bodiam castle at night for quite a while, a previous trip was scuppered by clouds, but on this occasion the skies were gloriously clear and moon free!! By autumn the galactic centre is leaving us but one of the most picturesque regions of the Milky Way, the Great Rift is visible. Clouds of cosmic dust nearly 3,000 light years wide! A spectacular view stretching over Bodiam Castle and the moat. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/morning-catch https://images.on-this.website/22980_13775843285bdedf86b253c.jpgMorning Catch Well before sunrise this fisherman sets his rods out on the Caspian at Sumqayit. The blue of night fades as the sunrise colour builds over the horizon. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/above-the-clouds https://images.on-this.website/22980_43626390358595b17c8855.jpgAbove the clouds The sun has set, and standing at 2500 metres, I looked out across an ocean of cloud to the high peaks in the distance. The temperature is dropping rapidly to below -20 C and the world is bathed in blue light as the stars slowly come to life. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/breaking-through https://images.on-this.website/22980_3249879045a51d821d34f4.jpgBreaking Through The diving board from the Lido pool at St Malo emerges from the sea at high tide. Beautiful soft colours in the sky made a change from the previous days wind and rain. I love the long shutter speed effect on the waves. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/morning-glory https://images.on-this.website/22980_1244520125585973d3982b6.jpgMorning Glory Twilight breaks and the first rays of pink light spray across the far mountain peaks. The crisp clean white snow sets off the colour of the dawn beautifully. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo38200515.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_19990737315cd049fac63d7.jpg https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/tal-y-lyn-mirror https://images.on-this.website/22980_1478283397578d2cd03eab0.jpgTal-y-Lyn Mirror An early morning alarm for sunrise in North Wales. The weather sort of obliged, a dead still morning made for crystal clear perfect reflections on Tal-y-Lyn lake, unfortunately the cloud obscured significant colour. However a very atmospheric, moody and subtle dawn developed as the heavy clouds reflected in the still waters of the lake. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/light-on https://images.on-this.website/22980_11822549225a3aa68588685.jpgLight on Sunset in Dubai, the crossover between day and night, superb colours as the sun has set, balanced by the lights of the city coming alive for the night. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/battersea-lines https://images.on-this.website/22980_6558327196590a38400b3b.jpgBattersea Lines A famous view to Battersea power station, it always looks good at dusk with a long exposure and the light trails from the trains. The trick is to go for simplicity, it’s tempting to get carried away with too many trails, and it’s so much nicer without the construction cranes!!! I love the blue hour colours, but this would look superb with nice sunset behind, which gives me an excuse to go back! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/belt-of-venus https://images.on-this.website/22980_2101157517581f6abfe8a05.jpgBelt of Venus A long slow moving mud flow creeps from the mud volcano, and in the sky above the belt of venus shines a delicate pink, as it chases the earth shadow away. A stunning display of light and colour which reminds you why it's great to be out in in the landscape. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/river-of-clouds https://images.on-this.website/22980_5332129675c1bb88a25e7b.jpgRiver of Clouds Sudur village sits high out on a rocky outcrop in the mountains. It's blue hour and the clouds at dusk flow through the valley like a river. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/overview https://images.on-this.website/22980_4136666795ba92ef6aeb4e.jpgDubai Awakens Sunrise from the Burj Khalifa, a super view as the city slowly comes to life. Downtown Dubai still illuminated as the sky starts to colour. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/taking-shelter https://images.on-this.website/22980_16811488125e89ecbc939fc.jpgTaking Shelter The herd of fallow deer seemed to enjoy gathering around the old oak tree as the sun rose on a cold misty spring morning in Bushy Park. Stopping to take in the warmth of the rising sun for a few minutes and perfectly silhouetting against the golden light. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/recession https://images.on-this.website/22980_16176297425a70af1ce35e4.jpgRecession Driving back from Gobustan, the mist finally started to thin and the sun started to light up the air with a golden glow. This little recession of power lines and hills caught my eye. The warm glow was in contrast to the biting cold wind!! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/layers https://images.on-this.website/22980_8009515665b369115eee87.jpgLayers Sunset behind Besh Barmag, the hills to the north fading into the setting sun. Quite a minimalist image, you either love it or hate it, but I enjoy layers under this golden light. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/heptonstall-gold https://images.on-this.website/22980_1614069915c0d0a79f33da.jpgHeptonstall Gold Sitting in the mist, waiting and hoping it would clear to give me a sunlit view up the Calder valley. But on this particular day this is as clear as it got. The sun burned through the fog for just a few minutes making a very pleasant scene over this little woodland. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/through-the-marsh https://images.on-this.website/22980_9223992875a51d81fc4fca.jpgThrough the Marsh The salt marshes at Bas Courtils, water channels and pools stretch out to Mont Saint Michel. An overcast and cloudy morning did not make for a spectacular sunrise, but in black and white makes for a moody and atmospheric scene as the island towers over the surrounding landscape. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/maralgol-mirror https://images.on-this.website/22980_181397227559f43458269fe.jpgMaralgol Mirror Sunset on an autumn evening at Lake Maralgol, stunning conditions with no wind turned the lake into a perfect mirror. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/qusar-candyfloss https://images.on-this.website/22980_15436453435c1bb88ab22fa.jpgQusar Candyfloss Sudur village, about to be enveloped by the rising tide of clouds into the valley. Moorland fires and the last hint of light bring a splash of colour before the blue hour. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/ismaili-spring https://images.on-this.website/22980_12774150605af0a5671c5ef.jpgIsmaili Spring No luck with sunrise this particular morning, high clouds hung over the mountains and snuffed out the colour. But I do enjoy the muted pallette of this view across the poppy filled fields to the far snow capped Gabala mountains. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/walking-the-dog https://images.on-this.website/22980_140801657955ddd9e7e0e72.jpgWalking The Dog Only photographers and dog walkers would be out on a morning such as this. Grey leaden skies slowly illuminate the golden sands of Lossiemouth beach, tracing out delicate patterns in the sand. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/autumn-mist https://images.on-this.website/22980_16246597735bbb7d26d4537.jpgAutumn Mist Autumn colours and mist in the forest of the Altai Gach, trying to create order from chaos in the endless shapes and colours of the woodland. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/floating https://images.on-this.website/22980_12923801845467a8c06fb15.jpgFloating A perfect moment as the cloud floats above the peaks behind Loch Ba at sunset. The final rays of the sun turn the clouds a delicate pink against the fading blue sky. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/twilight-on-the-bulvar https://images.on-this.website/22980_5664197415b85704b4b0ed.jpgTwilight on the Bulvar Fun with long exposures watching the sun set over Baku, streaking clouds and long reflections on a breezy summer night. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/budug-stars https://images.on-this.website/22980_10218670535b6b2afce2db2.jpgBudug Stars The remote village of Budug settles down for the night beneath the stars. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/king-of-the-park https://images.on-this.website/22980_18682942965f5b994b607e4.jpgKing of the Park The rut is nearly upon us, the stags are big and impressive with a full set of antlers. Autumn colours and misty mornings are some of my favourite conditions in Bushy Park. After 4 years away from this it's great to be back and seeing tehm at their most impressive. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/surrounded https://images.on-this.website/22980_189696379158835e73a18cc.jpgSurrounded An old abandoned farm surrounded by steep slopes and snow covered mountains on all sides. I love the sculptured texture of the landscape in this area. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/geometric https://images.on-this.website/22980_100045889569a305a611d39.jpgGeometric This is a well shot location in the centre of London but if you don't look straight up you won't see this angle. Fantastic angles and shapes on these modern buildings to play with light and shadows https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/last-call https://images.on-this.website/22980_70622100254789275c744c.jpgLast Call Nearing the end of the rutt and this deer makes his last call to challenge the other stags. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/caspian-drift https://images.on-this.website/22980_20010435495d55a02f54672.jpgCaspian Drift Exploring the beaches of Nabran under a moody sky, the flat dark sands and calm sea make for fabulous reflections and shapes around this lost piece of driftwood. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/catching-the-light https://images.on-this.website/22980_5612745315bc2f49719356.jpgCatching the light Exploring the forest of the Altai Gach and this little tree caught my eye, a splash of colour against the surrounding green trees. Luckily a little light broke through the canopy to illuminate it nicely against the moody forest. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/zara-phillips https://images.on-this.website/22980_13438973335188be5e62240.jpgZara Phillips Zara Phillips gallops away from the Huntsmans Close during Badminton 2013. Already focussed on the long gallop down to the next fence. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/st-petersburg-at-dawn https://images.on-this.website/22980_181990073507b2f61558f3.jpgSt Petersburg at Dawn Dawn colours the mist rising over the dome of St Isaacs cathedral, St Petersburg, Russia. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/winter-canal https://images.on-this.website/22980_212936838950e48f3d1e83b.jpgWinter Canal Winter Canal (Russian: Зимняя канавка, Zimnyaya kanavka) is a canal in Saint Petersburg, Russia, connecting Bolshaya Neva with Moika River in the vicinity of Winter Palace. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/lights-out https://images.on-this.website/22980_1792788976576c3e18df082.jpgLights Out! The final countdown, the green flag and lights out to start! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/rho-ophiuchi-and-the-lighthouse https://images.on-this.website/22980_8006182666276eceb77df5.jpgRho Ophiuchi and the Lighthouse This was one of the clearest nights I have seen, you could see the dust lanes and textures in the milky way by eye. A fantastic sight stretching over the sky. But on this occasion my focus was on a small patch, one of the most colourful, the gas clouds of Rho Ophiuci and the star Antares. I framed these and the core of the Milky Way at they rose over Belle Tout lighthouse in the South Downs. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/puttenham-glow https://images.on-this.website/22980_22680705ecbea0c588fa.jpgPuttenham Glow A spring Milky Way rising over this fabulous contorted pine tree in the North Downs. Puttenham common is a beautiful landscape full of nature and dark enough skies to allow a treat for the eyes with the stars above. The large "star" just above the tree branches is Jupiter. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/liquid-mercury https://images.on-this.website/22980_15462687235467a8bb71d8c.jpgLiquid Mercury Loch Leven stands glassy still like liquid Mercury on a cold autumn day. The boat and distant hills perfectly reflected in the mirror like surface. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/milky-way-tree https://images.on-this.website/22980_1376193021590a3206057323.91513920.jpgMilky Way Tree This lone tree was perfectly positioned, sprouting from the hillside with the milky way reaching out across the sky from the tree. This location has so much potential, I see may return visits to these trees over the summer months! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/loch-ba-sunset https://images.on-this.website/22980_573448958547847f1b02c0.jpgLoch Ba Sunset The delicate colours of the sky and the high clouds are reflected in the mirror like surface of Loch Ba at sunset. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/hidden-loch https://images.on-this.website/22980_150252059556ad05b262839.jpgHidden Loch This delightful little loch is hidden off the back road from Glencoe village. it is routinely calm to a mirror reflection of the surrounding trees. Under solid grey skies the mountains emerged from the cloud giving a true sense of scale to the locale. The snow covered peaks of Stobh Coire nan Lochan and Gearr Aonach are reflected in the still waters. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/final-rays https://images.on-this.website/22980_17529263915467a8bee5d05.jpgFinal Rays The final rays of sun burst through the clouds, spraying the sky with light. Castle Stalker stands dark and shadowy, silhouetted in the foreground. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/night-on-the-beach https://images.on-this.website/22980_9319368115ca89599ea5ce.jpgNight on the Beach Standing on the shores of the Caspian Sea watching the stars rise overhead on a chilly spring night. Away from Baku the shoreline has vast sand and shingle stretches. Way to the North, the light pollution of Baku is muted and spectacular dark skies surround. The bright star is Jupiter reflected in the Caspian. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/moon-rising https://images.on-this.website/22980_146042254851fe54a51d3e5.jpgMoon rising A piece of driftwood rests in the waves on the edge of the shingle as the moon rises. The sun sets and the sky turns pink and blue. Branscombe Beach, Devon. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/calm-patient-determined https://images.on-this.website/22980_5590025925e89e0a93001c.jpgCalm, Patient, Determined The heron calmly stalks the stream looking for his prey in stunning conditions in Bushy Park. It's impressive to watch him stalking the streams with patience and focus and then pluck out a tiny fish for a snack. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/end-of-the-rainbow https://images.on-this.website/22980_21168763385a51d814c749f.jpgEnd of The Rainbow In between winter storms on the Brittany coast, finally some nice light breaks through the clouds and lights up a full rainbow across the golden beach at Du Port Hue, Dinard. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/sculpted https://images.on-this.website/22980_255893092599c863022b51.jpgSculpted I love the landscapes of Azerbaijan, the volcanic and active nature of the ground gives it the most fantastic textures. The hills and mountains often look as if they have been poured or sculpted into shape. Combined with the first morning light and it's a superb landscape. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/pink-baku https://images.on-this.website/22980_12621681598467ed6e897.jpgPink Baku An early summers morning in Baku, crystal clear, calm and a spectacular show of the blue earth shadow and pink belt of venus over the city. There are just a few magic minutes before sunrise when the colours balance across the sky. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/drag-race https://images.on-this.website/22980_1582645465576e8e20e6835.jpgDrag Race Force India and Manor Racing neck and neck down the home straight. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/across-the-dunes https://images.on-this.website/22980_20256101055bb2f263e8f46.jpgAcross the dunes Chasing stars across the sand dunes of the UAE. I love the curves and lines of the sand dunes under the clear spectacular night skies. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/paris-in-the-autumn https://images.on-this.website/22980_53189433650e44bcd9ef2d.jpgParis in the Autumn The Eiffel Tower, a classic Paris vista with the vibrant autumn colours against the grey skies. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/brighton-west-pier https://images.on-this.website/22980_176141250352aed8046bb2e.jpgBrighton West Pier The remains of Brighton West Pier are battered by winter seas, and the sky colours at sunrise, adding a warm glow to a harsh winters morning https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/the-way-to-orion https://images.on-this.website/22980_39178201865a065bdba09d.jpgThe Way to Orion A freezing cold January night but the first clear skies in weeks and a new moon meant a trip out to see some stars. I love this location in the South Downs with its view of the meandering Cuckmere River, usually in summer when the milky way rises down the valley. But on this occation it was Orion and the bright star Sirius rising over the valley. I love how the river is mirrored by Barnard's Loop, a huge emission nebula which surrounds the stars of Orions belt, at least from our galactic perspective. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/morning-breath https://images.on-this.website/22980_14286321795ca24e592c74b.jpgMorning Breath Looking west into the calder valley, cold morning mist hangs low as the first golden light warms the moorlands and valley slopes. A beautiful calm spring morning in West Yorkshire. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo34739429.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_17585601445af0a36307dce.jpgThe Long View A long wide panorama across the fields of Ismaili, scattered poppies under golden skies as the sun rises behind the Gabala mountains. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/stars-lakes-and-bears https://images.on-this.website/22980_187934034859f43ba2ef677.jpgStars, Lakes and Bears The final Milky Way shoot of 2017 as the galactic core drifts below the horizon in the Northern Hemisphere. A memorable night watching the Milky Way drift over the sky over Lake Goygol. Shortly after taking this, near the shore of the lake we experienced the roar of a bear just across on the other shore, an impressive sound that despite the lake and the fences surrounding the resort had us packing up and heading back to the hotel for the night! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/follow-the-yellow-brick-road https://images.on-this.website/22980_1138845369578e7ff13d921.jpgFollow the yellow brick road A spectacular display as the sun set behind the mud volcanoe. The long trail of cracking mud reminded me of the road in the Wizard of Oz, snaking off to some magical place behind the volcanoes. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/photo44255151.html https://images.on-this.website/22980_7333083916166dd4770f38.jpgOrion Rising The winter constellations have arrived in the Northern hemisphere and I wanted to shoot one of my favourites, Orion rising over the horizon. It was a spectacular clear night down at Cuckmere Haven watching Orion and the nebula rise over Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters cliffs. Nothing but the sound of the sea and the stars overhead. This is taken with a telephoto lens, the light is Belle Tout lighthouse on the top of the cliffs. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/head-to-head https://images.on-this.website/22980_14589194905e7f2c475eca3.jpgHead to Head After the dramatic pinks and blues before sunrise I found these two fallow deer bucks banging heads in the woods. Great fun watching them circling and locking antlers and they knew just where to frame themselves between the trees:) as the golden sunrise started to break behind them. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/moon-over-rannoch-moor https://images.on-this.website/22980_18000884315467a8c6699ac.jpgMoon Over Lochan nah Achlaise The sun rises and the clouds turn pink over Rannoch Moor. As the sun comes up the moon sets, reflected in the still loch. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/westminster-gold https://images.on-this.website/22980_98270547266b0b8f2b8677.jpgWestminster Gold There are some locations that are iconic and you keep going back to. The view from the embankment to Westminster is one of them. On this occasion the conditions played ball nicely, high clouds at sunset picked up the golden colour and a 6 minute exposure brought out an ethereal feel. The sunset behind Westminster making for an striking silhouette. I’ll go back here again, different conditions will give a different take to this each time. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/mountain-glow https://images.on-this.website/22980_1345348264574b39e1e71fd.jpgMountain glow The sun rises behind the mountains overlooking Ivanovka in Azerbaijan. The storm clouds which brought lightening and heavy rain overnight slowly clear and are lit by the rising sun. The receding mountains define the scale of the landscape in Azerbaijan. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/galactic-core https://images.on-this.website/22980_350236662579dc08e915f8.jpgStar Dust The centre of our galaxy, spread out over millions of light years and truly superb to observe stretched out across the night sky. A moonless, cloudless night in the Candy Cane mountains near Xizi made for a superb display of milky way and shooting stars. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/a-sea-of-stars https://images.on-this.website/22980_133686084758b306af940c5.jpgA Sea of Stars I love this fishermans hut perched out in the water at Shuraabad beach. On a calm winter morning, twilight is just starting to break and warm the horizon. Overhead the Milky Way stretches past and the stars start to fade with the approaching dawn. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/stepping-stones https://images.on-this.website/22980_17835239395467a8c1f024f.jpgStepping Stones As the sun sets the sky holds a hint of pink and blue. The crystal clear still waters of the loch reflect the colours and three stepping stones break the perfect reflections. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/stoodley-blue-hour https://images.on-this.website/22980_556764685a7eeb9077a55.jpgStoodley Blue Hour Blue hour at Stoodley Pike, it's about 20 minutes before sunrise and the first delicate pinks are starting to colour the blue sky. A crystal clear morning with a fresh snowfall across the moors, biting cold but a stunning morning to be taking pictures. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/askham-ponies https://images.on-this.website/22980_21342582295f6e00be00388.jpgAskham Ponies An evening walk from our cottage and I came across this herd of ponies on the fell. They were so calm and unfazed by my presence I was able to take this panorama. Beautiful animals to see wandering wild across the fells. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/break-in-the-ice https://images.on-this.website/22980_8430934425a87c08d23975.jpgBreak in the Ice On the moors in the early morning, rolling snow flurries and clouds obscured any possible light. I found this enjoyable little stream and a break in the ice, nicely leading you out to Stoodley Pike in the distance. I'll have to go back to explore this spot more in future on a day with better light. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/cracking-up https://images.on-this.website/22980_12465725935ab5089f325c1.jpgCracking Up Sunrise at the mud volcanoes of Gobustan, an ever changing landscape of mud flows and texture. It's always great fun to try and find a composition in the myriad of lines and angles. The soft morning light brings out the textures of the landscape. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/in-motion https://images.on-this.website/22980_10018855455188be5adbf0e.jpgIn Motion Dirk Schrader of Germany in motion. Panning at the exit from Huntsmans Close with a slow shutterspeed to blur the background gives a real sense of speed and movement of the horse. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/backbone https://images.on-this.website/22980_90276927255d705a0acf6f.jpgBackbone Cove bay on the Moray coast, these amazing rocks remind me of a backbone running up the coastline. The sun is setting and the red clouds are nicely reflected in the water. I've got one eye on the sunset and one eye on the ever rising incoming tide and my wellies! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/stoodley-blues https://images.on-this.website/22980_15350986095a7eeb8aadfa5.jpgStoodley Blues The blue hour starts to fade, it's a spectacular view across the valley with snow covered hills in all directions. After an hour of photo's in the snow I'm starting to think seriously about coffee and a bacon sandwhich! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/twighlight-blues https://images.on-this.website/22980_63806142356ae3782a4361.jpgTwighlight Blues The last shot of the day on the shores of Loch Achtriochtan, a location famous for its spectacular reflections and colourful slopes. It is now twilight and the cold darkening sky is reflected in the water. The cold dark overcast sky gives a distinct blue hue to the light. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/morning-latte https://images.on-this.website/22980_18160246565dbe7d0e1d044.jpgMorning Latte Another cold morning in Lessinia. As I drove up the steep climb and started to emerge from the cloud to see this view open up I was a happy chap. Watching the clouds rolling through the valley and over the ridges like waves was impressive but fleeting, 15 minutes after the sun came up it was gone and I was scrambling home for a large warm coffee! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/night-in-the-park https://images.on-this.website/22980_156453610860560b242dd4a.jpgNight in the Park A night time walk in Bushy Park on a clear still night. Sleeping swans beneath a crescent moon. You can still see some stars despite the light pollution from the London suburbs. A very tranquil time. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/mars-by-westminster https://images.on-this.website/22980_2599693056393a916b1bc8.jpgMars by Westminster A very cold winter morning, -6C, crystal clear skies and Mars in occultation (going behind) the full cold moon just before moonset. Oh and by the way it's visible in the UK and lines up nicely with the Westminster clock tower (Big Ben). So once in a while everything lines up, even the trains ran on time which was probably my biggest worry!! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/westminster-crescent https://images.on-this.website/22980_260338784685fb7ff0f2d1.jpgWestminster Crescent A clear summer night and the crescent moon glides over parliament towards the bell tower and big ben. Beautiful pastel colours after sunset made for a very special view. This was something of a bucket list shot for me that worked out perfectly in the end! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/qusar-ridges https://images.on-this.website/22980_8952660555c1bb8891c270.jpgQusar Ridges High on the hills in Qusar looking down as the clouds beneath roll over the ridges at first light. A magical view above this ocean of clouds. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/orion-rising https://images.on-this.website/22980_19761082815fd66606d6bda.jpgOrion Rising A cold winter night watching the stars at Thundry Meadows. It was below zero and the grass was frosted and crunchy underfoot. Waves of mist rolled through the river just to keep us cool! A thin layer of high clouds rolled in and added a lovely diffuse glow to the bigger stars. I love the big orange glow of Beetlegeuse, although I can't look at it without thinking of Michael Keaton!! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/classic-buachaille-etive-mor https://images.on-this.website/22980_853792629547847e8c2f2d.jpgClassic Buachaille Etive Mor The classic shot of Buachaille Etive Mor on a late autumn afternoon. The orange grasses and heather contrast with the brooding sky. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/made-of-star-stuff https://images.on-this.website/22980_20277318845cdfcdee81085.jpgMade of Star Stuff The milky way core stretching over the dried mud volcanoes of Gobustan, star dust is what makes us and everything around us including these fabulous patterns. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/mountain-poppy https://images.on-this.website/22980_2102940520574b39ec71a51.jpgMountain Poppy A lone poppy sits amongst the barley in this farmers field at sunrise. The flower almost glows in the golden morning light. The high caucasus mountains roll away in the background. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/milky-way-shahdag https://images.on-this.website/22980_20866435505946c7ffd4335.jpgMilky Way Shahdag After a day immersed in the clouds and with the skies invisible to all, late at night the clouds departed and a spectacular display of the milky way appeared. Beyond Shahdag to the South the mountain ranges obscure any possible light from the distant towns and villages giving a truly dark sky and an amazing sight over the mountains. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/arrow https://images.on-this.website/22980_3881728715467a8b7d67ca.jpgArrow The red and orange heather is striking on the slopes of Loch Achtriochtan. As it meets its own reflection in the still water it forms a perfect arrow head. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/beech-trees https://images.on-this.website/22980_9357129705371406b09c4a.jpgBeech Trees First light strikes the trunks of beech trees in Micheldever woods, illuminating them in a golden glow. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/fireball https://images.on-this.website/22980_136042178556119de05085a.jpgFireball When the sun finally made an appearance above the mist and fog it appeared as a beautiful red ball of fire. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/caught-in-a-loop https://images.on-this.website/22980_512327065596b1d620f09a.jpgCaught in a loop With only half the weir in flow this fabulous "eddy" spins in half of the river and the foam spirals. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/emerging-dawn https://images.on-this.website/22980_74615111455f1fce7c4753.jpgPurple Haze The mist slowly clears from Pen Ponds within Richmond Park. The trees emerge in layers with the soft pink sky of the rising sun. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/brutal https://images.on-this.website/22980_200519663688fca3e615c3.jpgBrutal Sometimes it is the spontaneous trips that work out the best. I hadn’t realised this location was relatively close by and decided on an early morning trip. The campus was quiet and the morning light and high cloud made for super lighting. The building is a classic brutalist piece of architecture and works beautifully in black and white. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/mymbyr-mist https://images.on-this.website/22980_1660572205b61ceaf1ea65.jpgMymbyr Mist As the sun rises so does the mist across a still Llynnau Mymbyr, low clouds roll over the ridge of mount Snowdon. The sun is up, golden hour is well underway and and after a couple of hours at location it's time to go home for a cup of coffee a bacon sandwhich:) https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/baku-through-the-arch https://images.on-this.website/22980_6486971975b6b23ede5666.jpgBaku through the arch The view from the hills above Xizi, the glow of Baku sits beneath the full arch of the Milky Way, reaching from Xizi over Baku and out to the Caspian. The planet Mars sits over Baku. A spectacular summer night in Azerbaijan. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/gondola-sunset https://images.on-this.website/22980_20409971226765e6622a7e6.jpgGondola Sunset Sunset on the Grand Canal, the final light catches the Basilica Sante Maria Della Salute and lights up the prow of the gondalas. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/michael-jung https://images.on-this.website/22980_9322471985188be9f0429b.jpgMichael Jung Badminton 2013, Michael Jung clears the final fence at the Swindon Designer Outlet Sunken Lane. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/back-under-the-stars https://images.on-this.website/22980_14244838795a8f0f7ab4a5a.jpgBack Under The Stars Back in Qiriz village, Milky Way chasing in the mountains in February. One of my favourite villages in Azerbaijan, after an uncertain forecast we were blessed with crystal clear skies during the night. Watching the milky way soar overhead after so many months hidden from view. Unfortunately the clouds rolled in before the galactic centre rose in the early morning, but the first glimpse of things to come! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/autumn-gold https://images.on-this.website/22980_19230124645605b5b40073b.jpgAutumn Gold Early morning in Richmond Park, the sun's up and the heavy mist is gold in the low light. 3 stags head home after a night on the tiles and the geese flying overhead had me fumbling for my camera. A few seconds either way and I'd have missed this moment. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/caspian-history https://images.on-this.website/22980_6674372405984687dd4cb1.jpgCaspian History A balmy summer evening watching the moon set over the famous Baku oil rigs. Golden light and blue waters. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/castle-beneath-the-stars https://images.on-this.website/22980_84270356464e917bf2ac98.jpgCastle Beneath The Stars Chateau Hunaudaye, a beautiful medieval castle, sits under dark skies in Brittany. It's 3 years since we last visited here and I wanted to return to see what it would look like under the stars. Late summer and the Milky Way reaches out from behind the ruins. It's an impressive site surrounded by the moat and well worth a visit if you are in this region!! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/meeting-point https://images.on-this.website/22980_2018301515e89e36ab5c26.jpgMeeting point This impressive tree certainly seemed to be the meeting point for the fallow deer on a chilly spring morning in Bushy Park. Beautiful thick mist enveloping the park, it is great fun shooting tight in these conditions and going for silhouettes in the golden soup that the mist creates, but I love the wide view of the deer with this impressive old oak tree. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/wandering-in-qobustan https://images.on-this.website/22980_13409009755cbabc70a4836.jpgWandering in Qobustan Exploring the back trails of Qobustan off the beaten track. It's a massive sculpted landscape, these two wandering horses give a nice sense of the scale. Spring is the best time to explore, in only a couple of months this will be hot dry and dusty and the green lush grass will be a distant memory. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/catching-breakfast https://images.on-this.website/22980_19468364355d431abe14d5e.jpgCatching Breakfast After a spectacular display of colours as the sun rose earlier, the light turned soft and started to light up the rock formations on the beach. Great fun playing with the waves washing over the rocks and to top it off, this handy fisherman came along and placed himself on the rocks to complete the picture. What a morning out on the coast! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/neon-dubai https://images.on-this.website/22980_2597270815a3aa671b494a.jpgNeon Dubai Dubai Marina, nightlife, colours, a spectacular display of lights and energy. I find it an interesting contradiction to have this mosque and centre of religous worship surrounded by the new excess of money and extravagance that is Dubai Marina. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/blue-baku https://images.on-this.website/22980_10834928675a54e1f6684a6.jpgBlue Baku A baking hot day, clear blue skies reflected in the still Caspian Sea. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/ullswater-stars https://images.on-this.website/22980_17612134245f6e00be8fbc7.jpgUllswater Stars A different take on the famous boathouse, the milky way high in the sky over Ullswater. I took this at 0030 before going to meet a guide to trek to the top of Sheffield Pike. A spectacular night and mornings experience which left me satisfied with some amazing experiences but completely exhausted the next day!! https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/over-the-top-olympic-cross https://images.on-this.website/22980_199641207650e44e9402744.jpgOver the top - Olympic cross country Olympic moutain bike cross country at Hadleigh Farm, London 2012. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/reflections-on-achnahaird-bay https://images.on-this.website/22980_2911336315144e227ece93.jpgReflections on Achnahaird bay The wet sands of achnahaird bay act a mirror, reflecting the clouds at first light. https://www.alancrosslandfotografy.com/snow-moon-setting https://images.on-this.website/22980_91199073365db47dc57568.jpgSnow Moon Setting The snow moon sort of lived up to its name, -2C in the park, frost everywhere and after the previous days rain the mist was thick! Such a spectacular view watching the moon drop down behind the fountain in Bushy Park and the mist swirl. Shooting a moonset or moonrise is always both fun and stressful! Usually a long period of waiting for the moon to start to move into position, then a frantic 15-20 minutes before it either gets too bright or drops out of sight, this particular morning was no exception!!