Highland cattle – “O ye’ll take the high road, and I’ll take the low road……..”
Highland portrait
A few days ago I posted a single image of a highland cow, backlit against a dark background which gave me a ‘low key’ image. I was fortunate to be able to return to the same location a day or two later, but this time the weather and lighting could not have been more different.
Low cloud, drizzle and soft light combined to blank out any distractions, and to all intents and purposes gave me the equivalent of a white studio back cloth with minimal background detail. As a consequence and using different processing the same cattle have now been made into a set of ‘high key’ photographs.
Highland horn
Highland call
Highland stand
Arguably the ‘high key’ portraits are less dramatic than the ‘low key’ shot, but in my view they both have their merits. If nothing else this exercise only serves to demonstrate how the same subject can be photographed in the same location but in different weather and light to produce entirely contrasting results.
The ‘low key’ portrait can be seen by clicking in the thumbnail below.
Highland cow
These two alternative approaches and the subject matter reminded me of the lyrics in the song – The Bonnie Banks o’ Loch Lomond. – “O ye’ll take the high road, and I’ll take the low road……..”
Do you have a preference? If so please comment, as I would very much welcome your views.
Personally ‘I’ll take the low road…….”!
alan frost photography 
8 Responses to “Highland cattle – “O ye’ll take the high road, and I’ll take the low road……..””
I really like these, Alan! The soft, high key background is a nice contrast (not the photographic type) to the rough appearance of these animals. The misty environment also seems like a natural for them too.
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Thanks for your appreciative comment. I agree with your sentiments.
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Alan, Iove your photography but as a breeder of highland cattle, these really strike me, they are awesome. Making a choice though, my favourite is the Low Road. Now all I have to do is follow your instructions and see if I can get a similar shot, truly inspiring. Would you mind if I use the Low Road as a desktop image?
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Thank you Pauline, I am delighted you like the photographs. Good luck with your own attempts and in the meantime I would be very pleased to think one of my images is on your desktop.
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Hi Alan – I stumbled upon you website doing a image search of Highland Cattle. We have a hobby farm where a local farmer grazes these on the pasture. They are beautiful creatures and you’ve captured the duality of their shy but curious nature! Do you sell prints of these?
Thanks for sharing these beautiful images.
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Hi Lisa. Thanks for your kind and appreciative comments. I do sell prints of my work so I would be pleased to help you. I suggest you use the contact form on the ‘about me’ page, stating your requirements and I can work out some prices for you. Thanks again, Alan
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Stunning! Love the way you’ve captured these! Is there a way to purchase one of these? I’d love to print one out and use it as a decoration in my home!
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Thanks for your kind comment. I do not sell the digital file, but I can print a photograph for you. The details and indicative costs can be found here. https://alanfrostphotography.com/print-sales/ Please use the contact form on my website if you would like more information. Many thanks.
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