This month's edition of Scotland Outdoors magazine features my photo of Gairich from Spidean Mialach shot in March.

Scotland Outdoors highlights the very best of Scotland's natural diversity from its dramatic coastline to the high tops of its iconic peaks. From north to south and across the many islands that decorate its fringes, Scotland's landscape is both alluring and challenging.

Stockists include high-quality accommodation providers, wildlife tour operators, adventure travel companies and activity centres, subscriptions are also available. For full details see their website: www.scotoutdoors.com

Labels: landscape, mountains, photography, publication, the highlands

This morning I took delivery of a new book by Ewan Kelly - Meaningful Funerals, Meeting the Theological and Pastoral Challenge in a Postmodern Era. It uses for its cover an image I shot in Mortonhall Crematorium.

In the book he describes how it is possible to work with bereaved families in the construction of rituals which meet their spiritual needs and explores the nuanced meanings of 'spirituality' in the midst of its contemporary religious and human complexity (so says the back cover). I've not read it yet, but it will be in my bag next week as I drive through France.

The image was donated for use on the cover without charge.

Labels: photography, publication

With a growing portfolio of images from the Scottish mountains I've put together a collection which display some of the best at a larger size. I will be adding to this with new material and work from the back catalogue. There's space for comments, I appreciate any and all feedback. See the Scottish Mountain Photography Gallery.

Labels: internet, landscape, mountains, photography

Originally a gamekeeper's cottage, Easter Duiar has been substantially extended to provide excellent self-catering accommodation for 2 - 12 people. Initially photographed in late May the site has been developed in conjunction with the owners to advertise this large and comfortable holiday cottage in Speyside.

Labels: internet, photography

Having been working on the site 9 months I'm delighted to announce that the new Amber site is now live, see: www.amber-online.com

Amber is a film & photography collective based in Newcastle upon Tyne, incorporating Amber Films, Side Gallery, Side Cinema and Side Cafe. For the first time the site allows an integrated presentation of their work, including many of their films and exhibitions from the last 40 years.

Built using Ruby on Rails by Jonathan Barratt the site has some great features including a full content and image management system, events calendar, e-shop, forum, RSS feed, and our favourite 'Random Amber'. Working closely with Amber we adopted Agile project management techniques (more like Scrum Jonathan tells me) to help us through. While not appropriate for all projects it enabled us to response to new ideas as they emerged, thus avoiding some of the usual pitfalls of web development - but finding some new ones in the process!

We are delighted - not just to see it go live, but to have helped develop a site that Amber are excited about growing over the coming months and years.

While working on the site I have often lost myself in the content - their archives hold some truly inspirational documentary work and include gems such as the Weegee Collection and Houden Victory Club (that will be the allotment connection). You'll even find a couple of my early images if you look hard enough, hopefully more will be added soon.

Labels: internet, photography

I'm delighted to announce the first new site of 2007 - Larchwood Cottage, a lovely self catering cottage near Inverness in the Highlands of Scotland.

It's been a great site to work on - the shoot went well despite a power cut towards the end of the day, plus it's been a chance to integrate with Google Maps and try out a new Availability Calendar.

I'm keen to do more sites like this in 2007 - so if you have a property and would like to promote with a quality web site then please get in touch...

Labels: design, internet, photography

Having just upgraded my phone I've discovered I can now Photo Blog straight from phone to website. Sign up to the RSS feed to keep an eye on future postings.

This is an amazing revelation - the day after Mr Jobs announce how the interface should really be!

Labels: mobile, photography

After a bumper haul of Brocken Spectres over the last few days I've put together a specific Brocken Spectre gallery.

In case you've not seen them before a Brocken Spectre is a meteorological phenomenon caused by the sun shining your shadow onto a cloud. The rainbow ring is called a Glorie.

Labels: gallery, landscape, photography

The RichardX 2007 desktop calendar using 12 images from around Scotland is now available. You can get yours directly from the nice people at HeeHaw Publishing

Labels: landscape, photography