Picturing the Secret Coast

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by

Kate Davies Designs
in

Tom and I are deep in Secret Coast book preparation. This is a fun time, involving lots of reflection, retrospection and aesthetic wrangling as we decide what goes where and why. Looking at all of the photographic images Tom has produced over the course of the project has really reminded me of the wide range of themes and places we’ve been exploring, and the many hours and days we’ve spent doing so, through all seasons of the year, and in all weathers.

Inveraray in the rain

When it comes to photographic images, Tom definitely has a different set of preferences to myself (and his own distinctive creative aesthetic) but, as I’m sorting through the pictures for our Secret Coast book, I thought I’d post a few of my own personal favourites among the many photographs Tom has taken over the course of the project.

Portindrain
Reflections
An old Ferry point across the Kyles
Otter Ferry

I love Tom’s less ‘literal’ images – which, to me, really capture the mood and feeling of particular coastal landscapes . . .

Loch Fyne
Loch Striven

. . . but I also really enjoy what one might describe as his hyper-literal photography, such as this beautiful image of an old cockle shell with its worn grooves which Tom photographed at the spit at Otter Ferry. I used this image to illustrate my piece about the debates about overfishing, and Loch Fyne’s herring conflicts.

Tom’s monochrome macro images of barnacles and shells also provided the perfect accompaniment to Michael Hartley’s essay about Loch Striven and its secretive wartime history.

Tom used different photographic techniques to suggest our different ‘stories’.

Rowan tree growing within ruined crofthouse walls

. . .refracting and distorting images for Michael’s Glenan essay, for example

. . . and using infrared photography to illustrate my piece about Auchnaha.

Head of Loch Striven
Loch Striven from above

Tom’s also made great use of drone photography in this project, allowing readers to see features of the landscape that are invisible from the ground.

above Glenan
above the old Black quay at Kames

Using a wide range of styles and techniques (and cameras!), I think the images Tom has produced for this book have really helped us to bring the curious beauty of Cowal to life.

Loch Striven
Loch Striven
Ostell Bay
Ark of Argyll

I look forward to bringing some of my favourite Secret Coast pictures to you in print, once our book is published!

Thanks, Tom, for all your hard work on this project.

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Comments

19 responses to “Picturing the Secret Coast”

  1. Rene Walkin Avatar
    Rene Walkin

    Tom’s photographs are spectacular!

    Reply
  2. Barbara Provis Avatar
    Barbara Provis

    Absolutely stunning photos. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  3. Gretchen (aka stashdragon) Avatar
    Gretchen (aka stashdragon)

    Wonderful scenes and imagery: just what we’ve come to expect from Tom’s photography.

    Reply
  4. Darlene W Avatar
    Darlene W

    What can I say but Tom’s photography is spectacular! Kate so well written. What talent!

    Reply
  5. Karen H. Avatar
    Karen H.

    I love getting your newsletter/blog posts. Your writing & Tom’s photos are top notch, always intriguing and thoughtful and inspiring. In your writing, I love the way you combine history and your process as a knitting artist, I love the way Tom photographs you as you model your finished projects, and these photos Tom shares with us are so lovely.

    Reply
  6. mollysmaid Avatar
    mollysmaid

    I have really enjoyed getting to know this Secret Coast and hope that you will eventually do another study of a different area that you love. The photographs and videos added so much to the interesting essays and brilliant patterns. One photo I particularly loved was a drone shot of a ruin with a little tiny Kate and dog included. A huge thank you to Kate and Tom.

    Reply
  7. Brenda Avatar
    Brenda

    I’ve so enjoyed this series! The wealth of information and beautiful pictures and such lovely patterns. Thank you for offering this and sharing with us all. I’ve really looked forward to each new nugget and will be a bit sad at end, but so glad I said yes, and didn’t miss out! :))) Thanks to all of you for your hard work putting this together.

    Reply
  8. Carla Meysembourg-Rijnaarts Avatar
    Carla Meysembourg-Rijnaarts

    wow this is incredable. so beautiful pictures. amazing.

    Reply
  9. Jane McLellan Avatar
    Jane McLellan

    Wonderful images!

    Reply
  10. Tina Avatar
    Tina

    What beautiful photos and such gorgeous scenery too!

    Reply
  11. Mary Dean Avatar
    Mary Dean

    I woke up to dreary grey clouds and light rain. When I opened your post and saw the beautiful pictures of The Secret Coast my mood disappeared. Tom’s pictures are a reminder to be grateful for the magnificent beauty that surrounds us each day. Thank you Tom and Kate💕

    Reply
  12. lilligrid Avatar
    lilligrid

    Thanks you both! So beautiful and as eye as mind opening! Bravo!!!

    Reply
  13. Susana Avatar
    Susana

    Wow!
    Great pictures! Powerful Nature!!
    I will be another beautiful book.

    Reply
  14. Suzie Avatar
    Suzie

    Beautiful! Looking forward to having the book. Best wishes!

    Reply
  15. Jeanne Petrick Avatar
    Jeanne Petrick

    Such beautiful photos (all of them!) to share what the Argyll world is for we that are far away – THANKS!

    I couldn’t help but think that the B&W barnacle photos are great inspiration for either a lace piece or stitching project.
    Thanks for the inspiration to both of you!

    Reply
  16. T Calvert Avatar
    T Calvert

    I’m blown away by these beautiful images! Such varied styles and moods and all incredibly skilfully taken with real sensitivity for the subject. I can’t wait for the book to be released 😍

    Reply
  17. lorijcollins, I Kissed a Dog and I Liked It Avatar
    lorijcollins, I Kissed a Dog and I Liked It

    Those are beautiful! Good luck on the publishing to come.

    Reply
  18. Freyalyn Close-Hainsworth Avatar
    Freyalyn Close-Hainsworth

    Gorgeous images.

    Reply
  19. Frances Avatar
    Frances

    Each of these secret coast photographs is very beautiful in a unique way. As I was scrolling through this post, all of a sudden I realized the the images that showed horizontal layers of sky, land, and sea (or perhaps two of the trio) reminded me of layers of subtle color ways that are possible in fair isle knitting.
    Perhaps I have joined many generations of island knitters who have been similarly inspired!
    Best wishes to you and Tom.

    Reply

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