Scotland From the Air by Shahbaz Majeed
Scotland in Photographs and Scotland Revealed, my first books, were amazingly well received and although the second one came out just as Covid hit and lockdown happened, it was great to see it selling out on Amazon several times over. I would like to think while locked down, people were planning and reminding themselves of the places they were looking forward to either visiting for the first time or revisiting again to make up for lost time. Either way, I have loved seeing my books make their way across the world and receiving messages from people who have enjoyed them. Thank you all for the kind words which mean the world to me.
On to this latest instalment. I thought it might be an idea to present my aerial works in its own collection, given the immense popularity of my aerial works over the years and my focus on such views to capture the unique landscape of Scotland.
If only I could describe the feeling you get sitting in an open-door helicopter looking at the landscape all around you. It’s as if you’re seeing those views for the first time, every time. Whilst not one for standing on tall buildings and looking over the edge, something about it just feels so comforting and relaxing even though you are strapped into a metal box and every single thing is tied down! Perhaps it’s the surprising time spent planning those trips in so much detail that when it finally happens, it’s literally a breath of fresh air and adrenaline competing against each other. Your brain is trying to take it all in and you have to remember to actually use the camera and capture the views too!
Given the cost of fuel these days and being more aware of our carbon footprint, there is no surprise that drones are now the tool of choice, having come on so quickly in such a short period of time. Yes, it is exciting looking through the screen of the controller and watching the views the drone is capturing through your fingertips/commands, but it is not even remotely close to how you feel experiencing it in person.
One thing I also mention to people is that just because you can fly your drone quite high does not necessarily mean to always fly your drone to the legal height limit. Drones also allow you access to places that may not be possible otherwise, such as out over open water or places where you cannot get your tripod or yourself safely positioned to capture a particular shot. So you will see some images that do not look like aerial images as such but those views would not have been possible otherwise. But you move with the times and the views you can capture through a drone are no less amazing. What will be possible in the next five or ten years, one can only imagine.
What I would say is that if you don’t have a drone (or a helicopter!) to hand then worry not, as these landscapes are just as impressive from ground level – visit and see for yourself. I hope these images remind you of the places you may have already visited or are yet to experience at all, and inspire you to come and allow our hospitality to welcome you to our shores.
I shared some words in the first book, which I have been sharing again recently in a series of talks looking back at my work, about making an emotional connection with the viewer. This is even more important these days I think, given how we are constantly bombarded with so many visual works on social media. If your work can stand out amongst so much creative work then it makes it all the more rewarding – for yourself and others.
For now, I hope the aerial views of Scotland contained within these pages continue to inspire you to explore our magnificent landscape. They are but a fleeting glimpse of what Scotland has to offer.
Scotland From the Air by Shahbaz Majeed is available for purchase now.