After the storm

Fortunato Gatto's Image

Fortunato caught the last ferry to Eigg before the storm hit. Timing his trip carefully, snow on the mountains of Rùm coincided with low tide and a beautiful dawn the next morning. As the first light hit the distant peaks, everything came together in this sublime moment – the dynamic clouds contrasting with the rippled sand.

The islands of Eigg and Rùm face each other across a deep trench of water in the Scottish Hebrides. Eigg formed from a lava flow, and the remains of that volcano became Rùm. The shiny metallic sand in Laig Bay is a mixture of bright white shells and dark grains from Eigg’s volcanic past.


Behind the lens

Fortunato Gatto

Fortunato Gatto

Italy

Born in Italy, Fortunato took a leap of faith in 2007 and relocated to Scotland to follow his ever-growing passion for wild landscapes and unspoilt nature. The stunning surroundings, his fearless approach to the rugged weather conditions and his persistence in being willing to learn and improve, helped him become an advocate of the beauty of nature. To date, Fortunato has portrayed Scotland and many other wild territories in his own unique way, gaining worldwide awards and recognitions, publications and media space.

Image details

  • Canon EOS 5D Mark III
  • Zeiss 21mm f2.8 lens and Lee landscape polariser
  • ND 1.8 and NDG hard-edge filters  •   121 sec at f11  •   ISO 100  •   Canon remote control
  • Laig Bay, Isle of Eigg, Scotland
Copyright in WPY competition photographs remains the property of the respective photographers. You may not copy, share, reproduce or republish the photographs except as expressly permitted by copyright law. For media image usage enquiries, please contact us.

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