Sean Hancocks Sean Hancocks

Travelling through the Cairngorms

Capture the stunning scenery of Scotland's Cairngorms while travelling along the A9 road. With these tips for photographing from a moving vehicle, you can create beautiful and memorable photos.

Gorgeous light over the mountains ahead

We're sure we've all marvelled at the breathtaking scenery as we travel through it, but have you ever considered photographing it at the same time? If you're driving along the A9 road through the Cairngorms in Scotland, you're in for a treat. With its stunning mountain ranges, vast landscapes the Cairngorms provide the perfect backdrop for some incredible photographs. So, why not take advantage of this opportunity to capture some amazing shots while on the move.

A view along the A9 travelling north towards Aviemore

Rugged mountains and the stunning beauty of landscape in perfect juxtaposition with man made objects

One of the main challenges of photographing from a car is the limited time you have to compose your shots. You have to be quick to spot the opportunities and have your camera ready to capture the moment. It can be easy to miss the perfect shot or not frame the subject in the best way possible, but don't worry, practice makes perfect!

Remember that when photographing from a moving car, your pictures may contain some imperfections such as marks on the windows or slight blur from the movement of the car. However, don't let these imperfections discourage you from trying. Sometimes, these elements can add character to your photos and make them even more interesting. Embrace the imperfections, and don't be afraid to experiment. At the end of the day, it's all about having fun and capturing the beauty of your surroundings as you speed through them.

Pylons create a great contrast with the rugged landscape

If you're heading towards Aviemore, don't miss the opportunity to take some amazing shots of the Cairngorms while on the move. With these tips and a bit of practice, you can capture breathtaking photos that you'll treasure for years to come. So, grab your camera and get creative! Who knows, you might just end up with some fantastic shots like these that we took while travelling to Aviemore.

Don’t just look ahead, look to the sides too.

Here are our top tips for photographing from a moving vehicle:

  1. Try and use a fast shutter speed to freeze the motion and reduce blur in your photos but don’t worry if there’s a bit of blur, it can add to the picture rather than distract.

  2. Pay attention to the direction of light and use it to your advantage.

  3. Look for interesting patterns, textures, and colors in the landscape.

  4. Use the leading lines to draw the viewer's eye towards the main subject (what better than the road ahead).

  5. Make sure your flash is turned off. It’ll ruin your shots and be dangerous distraction to other motorists.

  6. Don’t be afraid to experiment, try slower shutter speeds for ICM style effects.

  7. Take plenty of pictures. In these days of digital photography you don’t need to worry about film processing costs.

And last but not least, make sure you're not the driver! It's essential to prioritize safety and not distract the driver or put anyone in danger while taking photographs. Remember to always be aware of your surroundings and stay focused on the road ahead. Happy snapping!

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