Rush Hour on Islay

I had come to Islay (pronounced "eye-luh") on a self-assignment. I wanted to translate my love of Single Malt Scotch Whisky (that's how they spell it!) into visuals that could show potential clients that this Houston-based photographer could do more than just capture oil rigs at sunset.

I contacted the Lagavulin distillery, and they referred me to their "home office" in Edinburgh, which cleared me to visit and welcomed me to the distillery. While I, of course, spent a lot of time documenting the making of the magic elixir, I also took the opportunity to explore the island itself, capturing images that added depth to the story of this legendary location in the Inner Hebrides, known for its peaty malt offerings.

On this particular afternoon, I ventured down the road to see The Kildalton Cross, a monolithic high cross in Celtic form located in a churchyard down the coast from the distillery. On my way back, I came across a view of the road running between dry stone walls, with fields ablaze with green grass and yellow vegetation (perhaps gorse?). I had a wonderful composition, but something was lacking. I needed something for human interest and scale. So I stood outside the car, camera in hand, and I waited. Soon, my patience was rewarded when a young lass and her dog came walking up behind me. We nodded and smiled at each other as she passed by, and I waited a little longer until she approached the crest of the small hill where the road curved over. That's when I focused and hit my motor drive.

I have always affectionately named this shot "Rush Hour on Islay," and it's an image that resonates with me to this day, especially when big-city life gets a little too overwhelming.