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Adam Pierzchala
Now retired, I have more time to enjoy being out with my camera looking for scenes and subjects that pique my interest, especially coastal, woodland and close-ups. Although I still have several rolls of 35mm and MF film in my freezer, I shoot almost exclusively digital now
Harvey Lloyd-Thomas
A photographer who enjoys exploring wilder and remoter landscapes, searching out unseen details, while attempting the occasional photographic vista. Also partial to the odd image of rust and decay
Adam: My friend Harvey and I had both previously visited the Outer Hebrides on different tours organised by Light & Land, which incidentally is where I first met Tim Parkin back in 2009. However, we both felt that there was still unfinished business for us: for me it was that being a beginner in “serious” photography, the images I made on those early visits were very much work-in-progress: I was reasonably pleased with only 2-3, but even those never ended up on paper – just film transparencies.
Harvey: My first trip to the Outer Hebrides, under the tutelage of David Ward, was back when I think I was still finding my own photographic style and the confidence to do my own thing. So subsequently, although I had thoroughly enjoyed the trip, I felt I hadn't made the most of what the locations had to offer. I returned briefly in recent years as part of a group led by Peter Cairns. On this short second trip, the emphasis was very much on traditional golden hour photography of vistas (which is outside of my comfort zone photographically), with no one else interested in stopping to photograph dilapidated buildings. I enjoy getting to know a location through repeated visits and so was happy to return for the third time when Adam suggested the possibility of a trip, and I felt he would also be a kindred spirit when it came to searching out dereliction!
Adam Pierzchala, Horbagost, Willows
AP: We met up in Birmingham for the long drive up north, this time, "going it alone" rather than being part of a workshop or tour. Our photography differs significantly in the way we work, in our approach, styles and visions for the final image. It would be interesting to see how we interpret subjects that we both photograph but also what other subjects we would find when working further apart. We had allowed a couple of hours on Skye before catching the ferry and decided on a visit to the Fairy Pools at Glen Brittle.
Despite it being quite busy on Sunday, some decent photography was possible. Although Harvey found a wonderful deep pool to photograph, I had yet to get into my photographic groove and came away with nothing. Then onward to Uig and the ferry across to Harris via Lochmaddy on North Uist. Here the skies were moody, initially full of warm evening sunlight filtering through the clouds and we both enjoyed taking some shots across the water, catching the fleeting light. But once the sun had set and we were on open water on our way to Tarbert, an ominous rain-filled darkness enveloped us. What conditions would the coming week bring?
Adam Pierzchala, Rodel Pots
Harvey Lloyd-Thomas, Rodel Pots