PICTURING KOREA

Jason Colley

Photography has long been my hobby and a source of escapism from many stresses in life. I particularly enjoy hiking and just looking for the beauty in landscapes and wildlife along my travels. 

After a hard couple of years dealing with my mother’s illness and eventual passing, I decided to travel for a week to the Isle of Skye in my campervan. I was expecting typical Scottish weather, and was taken by surprise to find myself in a heatwave for most of the trip. Whilst this is not always perfect conditions for photography, it is nonetheless good for the soul! 

I had a long itinerary of destinations that I had created from online research and recommendations from friends, including classics such as the Fairy Pools, Old Man of Storr, the Quaraing and the Old Sligachan Bridge. My favourite location was a long hike which ended with a view called Sgurr na Stri. The hike was around 19km, and started at the Old Sligachan Bridge, offering so much beauty along the way with gorgeous backdrops including roaming deer. Once I reached the pinnacle view from Sgurr na Stri looking along Loch Coruisk, I was overcome in awe of its beauty. With some moody clouds rolling in over the nearby mountains, it created the perfect scene!

Another little gem of a spot I loved was Talisker Bay, which I stayed at overnight. Although I did not get to see the ideal sunrise I’d hoped for, the place was so peaceful and tranquil I enjoyed it nonetheless. As with any photography trip, you cannot guarantee everything will go to plan, but even if I do not achieve the perfect shot, I’m always happy to visit these beautiful places. At some point I hope to return and see what new moments I can capture.

This article first appeared in PRISMA, Issue 10.