Calton Hill Silhouettes

This vivid silhouette of Calton Hill’s distinctive skyline is taken from The Crags in Holyrood Park. The Crags path offers plenty of vantage points across the city. In this composition Nelson Monument and the National Monument of Scotland are instantly recognisable against the sunset sky. The Firth of Forth and Fife coastline stretch out in the distance. A moderate ascent is rewarded with sweeping views at any time of day or night. Sheer drops and uneven ground mean that caution must always be taken – especially in low light conditions.

This composition presents a balance quandary. Adhering to a strict rule of thirds here would result in an image that is top-heavy with sky, or foreground-heavy with too much dark area. As the sky at sunset is so integral to this type of shot, a balance must be struck. All seasons work well, though in summertime the sun sets further north and the fading light is more balanced in the centre of the frame.