I am usually drawn towards areas where human impact on the landscape is perhaps less dominant or obvious. Captivated by the relationship between mankind and nature, I have leaned towards documenting this juxtaposition in my work.

– Ruairidh McGlynn

Lucky enough to grow up with the Scottish Highlands on his doorstep, Ruairidh McGlynn has always been drawn to otherworldly landscapes – and for him, the harsher the environment, the better. Seeking out the winter storms of the Highlands, he ventured into rain, sleet and snow in weather as cold as -15°C (5°F) with the X1D and XCD 45. Usually drawn to locations that are less documented, Ruairidh was instead intrigued to capture the cruel beauty of the area’s intense conditions, seeing the Highlands from a fresh, snowy perspective.

For this series of images, the emphasis was different to how I might typically approach my work and centered around the atmospheric conditions opposed to specific locations.

Much of the series was created under diffused natural light that helped create the muted colour tones and an otherworldly atmosphere.

I found the X1D to be extremely robust and well-engineered – certainly something that is built to last. I was operating in some fairly harsh environments and conditions, including rough terrain, with very low temperatures combined with rain, sleet and snow.  The user interface feels very intuitive, thus simplifying any necessary adjustments needed to be done in challenging conditions.

During the winter months the daylight is very limited, and for the most part, the overcast and stormy conditions I was shooting in further reduced this. Given the conditions I was shooting in and that many of the images were shot handheld in low light, I found the results to be very sharp with good colour rendition.

ABOUT RUAIRIDH MCGLYNN

Scottish photographer Ruairidh McGlynn's work is often informed by his intrigue to explore new places, drawn to the relationship between mankind and nature. Exploring ideas of time, place, identity and memory, he usually does this by immersing himself in sparsely populated and harsh environments. When not working commercially, he can be found deep in his own personal art projects or out exploring the mountains. See more of his work here.

Use the elements

to your creative advantage

More Hasselblad stories

All stories

Ottavio Giannella

THE EARTH AWAKENS

Photographer Ottavio Giannella flies with his X1D II 50C from Italy to Frankfurt and then on to Keflavík Airport in Iceland. He makes a 40-minute drive to the valley of the Reykjavík peninsula and a two-hour walk to his destination, the Fagradalsfjall eruption site.

Dayanita Singh

Books, Boxes, and Museums - Exhibits Reconstructed

On the 15th of October, Dayanita Singh was presented with the 2022 Hasselblad Award by the Hasselblad Foundation. Often referred to as "the Nobel Prize" in photography, the Hasselblad Award celebrates one artist's pioneering achievements in the photographic arts and their impact on the next generation of photographers. The Hasselblad Foundation highlights Singh's unique archival work, that not only documents the lives of archives but brings about a new way to interact and experience the art of photography.

Ali Rajabi

Pausing New York With the X2D

Every photographer knows about the Hasselblad brand, whether they're an amateur, enthusiast, or professional because the history of photography is on the shoulders of Hasselblad. For me, it's an investment in my career, to move to the next level. It's always important to have the right tools in the right moments to make great photographs.

Hans Strand

Iceland in Mesmerising 100MP Detail

For me as a photographer, the X2D is what a Stradivarius violin might be for a violinist. It's the ultimate camera.

Flora Borsi

Magical Realism With The X2D

The X2D is like a camera for painters. The pictures have the taste and technical background of a painting. I almost couldn't differentiate the two because it's just so perfect. This camera produces all the data I could ever use to convey the tales I want to tell with my pictures.

Heath Holden

Disappearing Doha

Discovering his new home of Doha, Qatar through the lens of street photography, Heath Holden explored the older and more traditional neighborhoods of the historical city.

Walter Janach

A Love Affair with Aviation on the 500C

Unable to become a pilot due to his eyesight, the young Swiss photographer and later professor of technical thermodynamics Walter Janach channeled his passion for aviation into capturing these majestic flying machines on his 500C.

Donald Michael Chambers

60 Minutes of Silence

No talking. No phones. No distractions. For 60 minutes, Donald Michael Chambers sat with each of his 30 subjects in complete silence. Once the hour began, Donald gave no direction and simply decided when to click the shutter button.

Gavin Goodman

Pleating Paper into Sculptural Headwear

South African photographer Gavin Goodman had a vision to create a series influenced by traditional African headwear done with a modern and simplistic touch. Commissioning a local origami artist as a unique way to bring this vision to life, they transformed delicate paper into beautiful African-inspired sculptural objects. 

Tomás Karmelo Amaya

Native Love Stories

Born for the A:shiwi, Rarámuri, and Yoeme tribes, creative Tomás Karmelo Amaya’s ongoing series Native Love Stories illustrates the abundance of Indigenous circles, including love, service to others, community strength, and the ability to thrive.